Klarinet Archive - Posting 000079.txt from 1995/09

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: intonation again
Date: Wed, 6 Sep 1995 18:39:29 -0400

Adam,
You have conveniently proved a point I have brought up a few
times on this list - that of the ridiculous lengths clarinetist will go to
achieve "purity of tone" and the continued preoccupation of American
clarinetists with tone over color, texture, musicality, etc. You are
astonished that playing with what on clarinet would be considered a
less-than-perfect tone would blend better with a flute. Consider the
possibility that musical playing needs the best tone color for the
situation and not the "perfect tone quality" (that is, the
Marcellus/Wright/etc. sound). These folks did indeed sound pretty but I've
spoken to many non-clarinetists who, upon listening to their recordings,
did not think they were especially beautiful-sounding but rather,
one-dimensional in their sound. I'm happy for you that you've made a
potentially liberating discovery about musical playing - that many
different tone colors are an essential tool in our arsenal.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Tue, 5 Sep 1995, R Adam Pease wrote:

> Last evening I was rehearsing Bozza's Trois Movements for clarinet and
> flute. The first movement ends on a written high D on clarinet and a high
> E for flute. These notes sound awful together. Our fundamentals were in
> tune but there are some crazy partials which must be 10% out to each other.
> We tried different fingerings, embouchures, the flutist rotated her flute
> to alter the blowing angle, no luck. Has anyone played this piece or
> another and encountered the same problem? Is there a solution? Maybe this
> sound doesn't make it to the audience but is only heard by the performers?
> (wishful thinking)
> During other passages where the clarinet is in the second or third
> register, I find that a less focused sound with a more relaxed and open
> embouchure gives a better blend with the flute even though my tone isn't
> as nice by itself. Any thoughts?
> Many thanks for all the previous responses to my other intonation question.
> Can anyone tell I'm preoccupied by this topic lately :-).
>
> Adam Pease
> r_adam_pease@-----.gov
> pease@-----.gov
>