Klarinet Archive - Posting 001125.txt from 2000/10

From: ShawThings@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Kenny Davern
Date: Sun, 22 Oct 2000 19:30:27 -0400

In a message dated 22/10/00 12:33:45 AM AUS Eastern Standard Time,
Bilwright@-----.net writes:

> I have a copy myself, and he does something in "Three Little Words"
> (track #3) at the 4:50 mark (after the guitar solo) that I don't quite
> understand. The best description that I can come up with is "yodeling
> on the clarinet".
>
> I'm trying to figure out if this effect is just a change of tone
> plus some extremely fast fingering, or is it something else?

Hi Bill,
Assuming that we're talking about the same few bars, I think Davern plays (as
written for Bb clarinet) alternating middle register f# and f (a "blue"
third) resolving to e (for 4 bar guitar break) and gets the effect you
mentioned by simultaneously rapid trilling alternating between l.h. 2nd and
3rd finger. (It's easy with only one or other but surprisingly difficult
alternating - now I'm also trying to figure out exactly how he did it.)
There are also a few other places on the same track where he manages what I
can only describe as a sort of hoarse yelp (but under perfect control). I
haven't worked those out either - any ideas? He seems to be using a very
large chambered mouthpiece with a long, wide lay (even more extreme than the
Vandoren one he's supposed to have designed) but manages to control it
amazingly well. I doubt that many others could.

BTW, if you're interested in where Davern's fetish for the various trilling
tricks and controlled pitch/tone alterations came from, listen to Jimmie
Noone who has a much smoother and "oilier" sound than KD. 1928-9 recordings
with Earl Hines are best; He also recorded "Three Little Words" c.1930 but
(from memory) without too many flashy technical tricks.
Best Regards,
Tim Shaw

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