Klarinet Archive - Posting 001342.txt from 1999/03

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] mistakes
Date: Fri, 26 Mar 1999 12:04:08 -0500

>Someone played me recently, I think, a Wanhal sonata. The student had
>all sorts of crescendos and diminuendos pencilled into the part, and
>when I asked her who had written them, it turned out to have been done
>"yesterday, by Mr. X" (another tutor on the course). And I could see
>why: namely, to put some surface interest into what she was playing.
>
>But that sort of surface interest *isn't interesting*. What was rather
>required was a deeper understanding of the phrase structure, related to
>the accompaniment. Then, with some notion of the sorts of things she
>was trying to convey, natural variations of emphasis and articulation
>would begin to be present in her playing.

Many students, younger and older alike, have difficulty with the notion of
personal expression on the instrument. In fact, if one were to ask such a
student what being musical means, they might, in all probability, respond
that it meant following the dynamics, slurs, articulations, and playing
with a beautiful tone and ending each note appropriately. They would talk
about allowing the breaths to not interrupt the printed phrases, and they
would, perhaps, mention the notion of using the melodic contour to show
them how to shape their phrase.

More advanced performers and teachers understand that guiding a student to
the level of understanding what self-expression in performance is and how
it is different than the above is a long term approach. It doesn't happen
overnight. In an effort to help a student see an example of how a person
might realize one possible way to play a phrase, a teacher might pencil in
dynamic recommendations. We always hope the student understands the verbal
teaching that goes with it - the reason why a particular marking is
inserted into a phrase as a means of supporting a musical idea - but there
is no guarantee.

Deep understanding of any subject takes patience and constant attention to
achieve. Deep understanding of how to express musically in front of others
takes the same kind of patience and determination.
______
Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director, Concert Band/Symphonic Winds/Titan Band
Advisor, Recording Studio
Illinois Wesleyan University
Office: (309) 556-3268
Fax: (309) 556-3411

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