Klarinet Archive - Posting 000758.txt from 1996/04

From: Jennifer Hefferlin <jhefferl@-----.EDU>
Subj: dynamic range
Date: Thu, 25 Apr 1996 22:25:05 -0400

Hello everyone,

I am having difficulty developing the low end of my dynamic range. Here
is my setup: Borbeck 11 mp
Bonade inverted ligature
Vandoren V12 3 1/2

When I find a reed that is supportive of mf to fff and provides a clear
bright sound with flexibility, I find that it isn't much good in the
throat tones and lower below a mf. The resistance and resonance dies,
the reed becomes *too soft*.

I have approached this problem first by trying stiffer reed, didn't like
that because it took too much work (and no I'm not really lazy), this
works in an orchestral setting, but for solo pieces I have found that a
reed that will support softer dynamics doesn't support the whole dynamic
range. Second I approached it from the standpoint that something was
wrong with my embochure, tried several slight adjustments, some worked
some of the time, but none of them were *it*.

My goal is to develop a resonant and focused pianissimo in the throat
tones and lower that is clean and clear and in such a way that I am able
to make the transition to higher pitches and/or louder dynamic ranges
smoothly and easily.

Is it the reed, the mp, or me?

Thanks in advance!

Jennifer Hefferlin
jhefferl@-----.edu