Klarinet Archive - Posting 000545.txt from 1996/03

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: What type of sound carries?
Date: Thu, 21 Mar 1996 10:32:41 -0500

Steve Girko, principal of the Dallas Symphony Orchestra, has a tiny, bright,
micro-focused sound which pokes through the orchestra like a needle. He
plays on incredibly soft reeds, and the sound itself is very small. Sometimes
he sounds like he's on Eb. Because it is SO focused (and yes, with an edge),
it is impossible NOT to hear him. In his case, I think he could use a little
broadening of the sound in order to make it less obtrusive than it is. Much of
the time, it's very disturbing to see performances by this orchestra because
Girko does not blend with the ensemble. He always sounds like he's the
featured soloist or something. He does have perfect technique, though.

-- An illustrative example of an extreme case, where brightness and edge
facilitate projection.

Neil

On Thu, 21 Mar 1996, Daniel A. Paprocki wrote:

> Here's todays riddle. What type of sound (dark or bright) carries better
> in a concert hall? I've heard differing views on this and haven't made up
> my mind. Has anyone had some experience in this (playing for colleages in
> the hall)? I know what I like to sound like (to my ears on stage) but I've
> had people say that my sound needs a slight edge to project more in the
> hall. What sound is easiest to push through a string section?
>
> Dan
>
> ******************************************************************************
>
> Daniel A. Paprocki
> dap@-----.us
>
> ******************************************************************************
>