Klarinet Archive - Posting 000413.txt from 1997/10

From: HatNYC62@-----.com
Subj: technique
Date: Sun, 12 Oct 1997 01:51:11 -0400

In a message dated 10/11/97 9:34:00 AM, you wrote:

<<"Technique is rarely learned at the expense of musicianship..."

Could you elaborate on this point? I don't neccesarily disagree, I just
wonder why you think this.>>

It's a simple point. Why would practicing scales get in the way of being a
good musician? Musicianship and artistic expression are not even necessarily
best learned behind the horn. They require listening, REAL listening and then
performance experience.

When I hear Harold Wright or Robert Marcellus play, I don't think "Wow, what
great technique!" I notice (as I hope you do also) things about the music
they are playing and am impressed by their interpretation. However, there is
no denying that both of these men were superb technicians. That technique
didn't grow on a tree! For Wright, I cannot speak. Mr. Marcellus, I know,
worked his butt off on Stark, Baermann, Jeanjean, Polatschek, etc.

If you want to present an artistic vision, every fault of technique and
intonation will detract the listener from it to your shortcomings. In short,
sadly, it is possible to take a great technician with no musical sense and
develop a fully professionally capable player. I cannot say the same for
someone with severe incorrectable technical shortcomings.