Klarinet Archive - Posting 000120.txt from 2001/01

From: webler <webler@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Technique and Musicality
Date: Wed, 3 Jan 2001 12:20:03 -0500

Correct Bill,

I developed this definition because of a constant battle that I have with
teaching young drummers. It is possible to become famous and make a lot of
money in the pop music field, without developing any real "technical"
skills. Therefore many conclude that technique is needless unless you play
in Drum Corps or Jazz Bands. The problem is best shown in a statement made
by a 5th grade drum student when I started talking about rudiments. (The
scales of the Drum World). He very innocently said, "Aren't drum rudiments
only needed if you want to play fancy?"

But the same problem exists with young Clarinetists also. Many of them
just what to play music. But they don't seem to understand, at least until
they get older, that they're not really playing music if there are bad
notes, poor air support, bad phrasing (or no phrasing at all) or anything
else required to make the notes in front of them to sound like music.
Therefore they don't understand the true importance of Long Tones, Scales,
Arpeggios or any other exercises that are given to help them play the
music.

The secret is trying to get them to hear, themselves, what you are
referring to. It's always a joy to me when they start noticing when the
piece in front of them is not sounding like music. Once I get them to that
point, the scales, arpeggios, long tones, etc. don't seem so laborious.

Jay

.
-----Original Message-----
From: William Wright [SMTP:Bilwright@-----.net]
Subject: RE: [kl] Technique and Musicality

<><> Jay wrote:
"Technique is the ability to play any particular musical idea with the
proper dynamics, tempo, and musical finesse at any given moment".

Nice shot, Jay! Your definition zeroes in on the problem. If
you can't define 'technique' without referring to a musical value --
call it 'musicality' or 'musical idea' or whatever other term you choose
--- then the two of them aren't separable or independent of each other,
are they?

Cheers,
Bill

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