Klarinet Archive - Posting 000033.txt from 1998/10

From: "Tim Roberts" <timr@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] playing loud and soft
Date: Thu, 1 Oct 1998 15:40:31 -0400

On 1 Oct 1998 08:05:09 EDT, Cindy <CEField@-----.com> wrote:
><<What is considered loud and what is considered soft?>>
>
>I suppose it's relative to the group you are playing in, and I can sympathize.
>I used to belong to a community band. The director loved my playing BUT his
>one complaint was that I was "not loud enough." How in the world can a
>clarinet compete with brass instruments playing fff?

"A" clarinet cannot. But, in a concert hall situation, a clarinet SECTION
playing together does present an overall sound which can be heard, even with
brass playing.

I've found dynamics to be an especially difficult topic for a community band.
Our band is very good at ff, but pp, p, and mp all sound very much like mf.
This is particularly evident in one of the pieces we play, a simple but
enjoyable three-movement suite called "Gemini: Star Suite For Band". The
second movement has delicate, almost lullaby-like section with a single flute
soloist above the entire clarinet section playing long, sustained, pp tones in
the chalumeau register. I've tried to get the section to understand that we
are just background -- we are supposed to be ambient sound, so the audience
hears a noise but isn't sure from where it is coming. Alas, at concerts I
always end up asking half the players to sit out.

I had one director who had a good "measure" for loudness. He said "mf" is what
you get if you just pick up a horn and blow without thinking about it. From
there, you can apply more air and get f or ff, or you can consciously reduce
the air to get mp or p. I find that a useful tool.

--
- Tim Roberts, timr@-----.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

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