Klarinet Archive - Posting 000346.txt from 2001/04

From: "Simon Aldrich" <Simon_Aldrich@-----.ca>
Subj: [kl] Re:Throat Bflat fingerings
Date: Mon, 16 Apr 2001 16:06:42 -0400

>When you use this side fingering, you are giving up
>access to all right hand venting of the bflat, giving you
>a 'short tube' sound quality. At some dynamics, this side
>bflat might be clearer and more pleasant, but at fff?

David Hattner hits the nail on the head with the above statement.
I find that playing regularly in a big hall settles (or perhaps dispels)
many clarinet theories and arguments.
When playing in a hall the sound you hear coming back to you is
the sound that you are putting out into the hall.
This occurs successfully when the sound is focussed and ringing.
When one uses the side Bb in forte passages or when playing with many
instruments it's as though the sound drops off the radar.
You don't hear it any more. To a certain degree it can be
said that the throat tones in general drop off the radar in forte passages
without the benefit of right hand venting (resonant fingerings).

Avoidance of the side Bb is not dogma but rather the professional
need for maximum tone on each note.

Simon Aldrich

Principal Clarinet - Montreal Opera Orchestra
Principal Clarinet - Montreal Metropolitain Orchestra
Nouvel Ensemble Moderne

Clarinet Instructor - Bishop's University
Clarinet Instructor - University of Sherbrooke

simona@-----.org
(514) 843-7550

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