Klarinet Archive - Posting 000701.txt from 1997/02

From: Eric Nelson <esnelson@-----.NET>
Subj: effortless playing
Date: Wed, 19 Feb 1997 22:42:28 -0500

The sensation of effortlessness and fluidity in one's playing [IMO] comes
from evenness in the notes; equality of rhythm and matching of timbres and
volume of all notes in a passage. It also relates to Dizzy Gillespie's
definition of phrasing [the best def. I've heard]. Dizzy said: "Phrasing
is what happens *between* the notes..." Ponder that for awhile. Are there
any unwanted sounds, such as finger pops or undertones, in the passage.
Find a way to make a perfect connection between any two notes on your
clarinet, at any speed, at any dynamic level, with any articulation, being
sure that the two notes match each other.

I really love to work toward this ideal by practicing transcriptions of the
Bach Cello Suites. It's nice to work the wide intervals that string
players take for granted. By the way - I like the transcriptions of these
suites that have been done for violin [published by Ricordi] better than
the Delecluse edition for clarinet.

By the way, Dizzy's autobiography "To Be or not to Bop" is excellent
reading for any musician...

Eric Nelson
Lightwood Duo