Klarinet Archive - Posting 000584.txt from 1997/08

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Vibrato.....More stirring of the pot
Date: Fri, 15 Aug 1997 15:28:32 -0400

On Thu, 14 Aug 1997 GrabnerWG@-----.com wrote:

> I made my preference clear. I use vibrato if and when I think it is
> appropriate to the music being played. I was taught, by at least two teachers
> whom I respect, to never do this.
>
> How about the rest of you? Is vibrato on the clarinet, in serious (classical)
> an anthema? Or is it an accepted, if not praiseworthy, effort????
>
> The hopefully the list has not recently discussed this topic.....I just re-enL
> ISTed (LOL) recently. Sorry....couldn't resist it!
>
I, too, have been *taught* that vibrato is nothing short of a venal sin
(three Hail Marys and an extra $10 in the collection plate next week).
Nevertheless, I made up my own mind about it, and use it in a manner which
I feel is appropriate to the music, other players and situation at hand.
As an undergraduate at Northwestern, I was under the influence of Robert
Marcellus, who maintained that vibrato was nothing more than a disguise
for a lazy embouchure and/or all manner of other playing defects. I
happen to disagree with that rather entrenched opinion.

For what it's worth...

Jacqueline Eastwood
University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
eastwooj@-----.edu