Klarinet Archive - Posting 000697.txt from 1999/01

From: avrahm galper <agalper@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Vocal Tract
Date: Sat, 16 Jan 1999 10:53:09 -0500

Vocal Tract

Some years ago I read a book 'Deficiencies of intonation in Wind
Instruments' by Stauffer.

One of the remarks that stuck in my memory was a comment: "There is not
only vibration in the instrument but also going back into the body of
the player."

That is an important comment. One knows for sure, (I hope) that taking
shallow breath, with the chest only, will produce a tone that is not as
full as with a breath taken with the help of the diaphragm.
I think that the extra length of breathing apparatus contributes to a
deeper and finer sound.

Assuming that is the case, then it could easily be obvious that the
vocal tract would have an important effect on the tone.

Some years ago I was in China and was struck by the good sounds the
clarinet players there had.

I came to the conclusion, that the shape inside their mouth when they
play, produces a somewhat Vocal Tract,that produces the kind of sound
you hear when you listen to a Chinese opera. Its sort of NG NG, which
in order to sing that way one has to sing with a vocal tract that is
contracted in some way.

It doesn't have to be tight, but narrowed down a bit. Many times I ask
pupils to play as if they were hissing, meaning, that most likely the
tongues is higher in the mouth.

Many a player has felt what it is to lose a tooth or two, the sound
changes immediately.
It's a fascination subject and many opinions are there to agree or
disagree.

--
Avrahm Galper
TONE TECHNIQUE AND STACCATO
THE UPBEAT BAERMANN MELODIC SCALES AND ARPEGGIOS
http://www.sneezy.org/avrahm_galper/index.html

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