Klarinet Archive - Posting 001143.txt from 1998/05

From: "Jason Hsien" <jasonavhs@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re:Rhapsody in Blue
Date: Wed, 20 May 1998 23:23:08 -0400

-----Original Message-----
From: Mark A. Bradley +ADw-markb+AEA-slic.com+AD4-

+AHw-I was listening to Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue, and wondering how that
+AHw-part in the beginning is played on the clarinet? You know, that part
+AHw-where the player smoothly goes up to a high note from a lower one. I
+AHw-know at this point it would not help much, because I am not going to
+AHw-play it, but I have always wondered about this technique since I first
+AHw-heard that part years ago.

You and I think alike+ACE- I also asked the question, and the technique is
called a glissando (or a smear or schmear, depending on who you ask). I've
been practicing it for a while, and the basic premise is simple, but it's
really hard to do when you try.

You have your starting note, and your finishing note. If it's like the one
of Rhapsody in Blue, it passes the break (I still haven't mastered going
over that, but I can, really horribly). You start to slide your fingers off
the tone holes one or two at a time, allowing air to be controllably let out
of them in small increments, giving the change of sound. There's also a lot
of jaw dropping an dtightening to compensate for the break, so it's not so
apparent.

I'd also like to add I haven't been able to do this on a wood clarinet, but
only a plastic, a smooth plastic, with no wood grain finish. I don't know
what's wrong with me... +ADs--)

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