Klarinet Archive - Posting 000033.txt from 1996/06

From: Merlin Allan Williams <merlinw@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Gliss HELP!
Date: Mon, 3 Jun 1996 07:05:45 -0400

You wrote:
>
>I have to learn how to do the opening glissando in
>Rhapsody in Blue in two weeks. How do i do this?
>Please Help!
>
I learned the basic principle behind doing this gliss in HS, but it
took a couple of years to perfect; this could've had more to do with my
progress on the instrument at the time.

The I was taught the gliss technique was to start with all the holes
covered. It's usually easier to start on the D. Slowly ease the
fingers sideways off of the holes. Start removing the second finger in
the sequence as the first finger gets to about 1/4 of the way off of
it's hole. This continues up the fingers to the high C. Using a low
tongue level ("ah" instead of EE), and then raising it as you finish
the gliss helps.

There are several recordings you can listen to to hear the passage done
well. You should know that the hardest part is the transition from the
low register over the break. Most players will do a fingered gliss for
much of the low register, then smear over the break with the
embouchure, then used a slide (or portamento) to the top C.

The master of the slow and steady upward gliss was Barney Bigard.
There are plenty of Ellington recordings up to the mid '40s that
feature him. One of the recordings I have (sorry I don't have the
title on the tip of my tongue) has Barney doing the slowest, steadiest,
upward glissando I've ever heard. It' probably on the CD set "THE OKEH
ELLINGTON" on Columbia.

merlin