Klarinet Archive - Posting 000777.txt from 2000/05

From: Bilwright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Tone and its perception
Date: Tue, 16 May 2000 19:36:13 -0400

<><><> Claudia Zornow wrote:

My point was, how can I tell, from inside the bone cage of my head, how
I sound "out there"?

<><> jnohe@-----.edu wrote:

Record yourself! [....] Any decent stereo with a decent mike will do

I did this. Equally as valuable, once I had the recorder, I began
asking my instructor to play various duets (bottom half first, then top
half) so that I can practice both halves at home -- sort of a
'do-it-yourself' Music Minus One in whatever tempo you can manage at the
time.
In the same way, the conductor of our community band advises that
we record each session and take it home and play along with it as
further practice.
On my first attempt, I used a $50 cassette recorder. The result
was useless because of poor tone quality. So I made a detour and bought
a custom-made CD (I couldn't keep up with Music Minus One tempos at the
time), but the cost was prohibitive because after practicing a CD for a
few weeks, I wanted to move on to something new and my wallet couldn't
withstand the drain.
So I tried out Sony's $350 Professional Walkman (full sized
cassette, not microcassette) with a high bias tape. This combination
works very well. Not quite the same as live music, but very very close.
Once you have the Walkman, each new practice tape costs only $2.95 and
you can practice anything that your instructor can play. I've also
accompanied myself a bit -- although my instructor discourages this
because I'm just reinforcing my own errors.
The Walkman comes with a good microphone and a good headset
included, and it has various controls such that the tone and intonation
are reproduced accurately. You can carry it to a lesson or rehearsal,
and you can practice outdoors in the sunshine while people wonder what
you're really listening to.....
So, as pricey as it was, I consider the recorder to be one of my
wiser purchases. Much more sensible than buying mouthpieces and tuning
barrels and ligatures that now sit unused in a drawer. <grim smile>

Cheers,
Bill

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