Klarinet Archive - Posting 000032.txt from 1995/02

From: "Chris J. Vaughn" <saxmastr@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: vibrato!
Date: Thu, 2 Feb 1995 00:02:25 -0500

Well Michelle,

I personally don't care for clarinet vibrato (at least in classical
circles) if for no other reason than it is one of the largest
distinguishing features of the clarinet from the rest of the woodwind
section. The woodwinds when used together produce a homogenous sound
based on, among other things, range, tone quality of individual,
intonation and *vibrato*, or lack thereof. In the standard orchestra,
the clarinet is the only woodwind present that doesn't use vibrato (well,
rarely if ever), unless you're British that is. ;-) I look at the
absence of clarinet vibrato as one of those things that sets us apart
from almost all the other major instruments. Now not to slam any British
folk among us here, but I shudder every time I hear a recording of a well
known piece where the clarinetist uses vibrato. (Actually I suppose they
don't necessarily have to be British, it just seems that most who do use
vibrato are British trained.) I revel in my non-vibrato status in the
orchestra! Hoorah! I do use vibrato in jazz, I don't have a problem
with that. In fact, I'd wonder about your skills as a jazz clarinetist
if you didn't use vibrato. But in classical music (including the
clarinet repertoire unless specifically asked for), I don't care one whit
for it. Well there you have it, my two cents worth, for what it's worth.

Chris Vaughn

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"There is a fine line / Send me a giraffe, we need a /
between ignorance /-- giraffe around here. /--
and stupidity... /---- /----
Only I have managed ----/ Christopher J. Vaughn ----/
to erase that line." --/ Seattle Pacific University --/
--Dr. Science / saxmastr@-----.edu /
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The thing I really like about deadlines is that sound they make when they
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