Klarinet Archive - Posting 000822.txt from 1997/05

From: John Blegen <blegen@-----.us>
Subj: Re: "Growl" question
Date: Fri, 30 May 1997 09:24:09 -0400

On Wed, 28 May 1997, Lisa K. Clayton wrote:

[text deleted]
> -- Is the growl in question low in the throat, like a gargle,
> or is it done more forward in the throat, like the German "Ach"
> sound?

The way I've been doing it for about thirty years is not a "growl." I
just get my voice going. I really just sing along with what I'm
playing. I think (pure opinion here) I'm singing pretty close to what
I'm playing, but I don't think that intonation (of the singing) is really
an issue: it's the interference between the voice and the tone of the
clarinet that produces the "growl" sound. (I use it very sparingly, by
the way, and usually just to emphasize.)

>
> -- How long did it take before a decent sound was produced?

I'm really not sure, because it was so long ago that I taught myself to
do this, but I don't think it was a long process. It's a trick, and once
you figure out the trick, you're done.

> -- Could your average low-life Clarinet amateur (ie, me) do this, or
> does it take someone with loads more experience than I'll ever
> have in my pitifully short clarinet lifetime?

I've never thought of myself as anything other than an "average low-life
clarinet amateur." If I can do it, anyone can. The trick is to keep
your clarinet sound together while you get your voice going, which means
thinking (at first) consciously about your embouchure and breath support.

>
> Thanks for *any* advice.
>
That's what this is, so you're welcome!

John Blegen
blegen@-----.us