Klarinet Archive - Posting 000289.txt from 1996/09

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Continuing comments of Starr Schaftel Wayne
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:37:23 -0400

>
>The question is too specific. I have not heard an R13 and a LeBlanc Concerto
>played side by side under conditions of a blind test. My statement was
>much more broad: that, except for the most unusual circumstances,
>different clarinets produce fundamentally the same sound character
>when played on by a single player; i.e., a person's sound character is
>not influenced by the instrument. A person
>s sound character is inluenced by other and personal things such as
>body type, head cavity sizes and shape, etc.
>
>====================================
>Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
>(leeson@-----.edu)
>====================================

I agree, but isn't one of those "personal things" that influence
sound character the response of the instrument? When you know your Bb is
going to be way out of tune on one instrument, doesn't that affect your
sound character by forcing you to nurture that note in specific ways
instead of how you might play if you weren't so confined? When we pick up
a sax, we are caable of playing it "just like a clarinet" - no vibrato,
strong attacks, etc. However, since the sax CAN play good vibrato, and
bending some notes sounds cool, we do it. Is it the instrument or us?
Moving back to clarinets, if you havean instrument that restricts you, you
will probably play in a more reserved style and not seek out your stylistic
limits; an instrument that is more reliable (and forgiving!) will give you
free rein!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu