Klarinet Archive - Posting 000589.txt from 2001/09

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Recognizing what is on the page
Date: Sun, 16 Sep 2001 23:08:37 -0400

on 9/16/01 10:54 AM, David Hattner wrote:

>If your secondary material is in thirds below the primary material (and this
>also applies to playing 2nd clarinet in orchestrta fairly well) I find it
>best to 'shadow' the principal player. In other words, drop your dynamic and
>play 'into' the sound of whatever instrument you are playing below.

As a principal player for most of my professional life, I can tell you
that I'd actually like more volume/strength/support - call it what you
like - when the second player is playing in octaves (or any interval, for
that matter). True, I appreciate a sound that matches mine, and blends
well. In Richmond I've had the same 2nd player for 18 years, and when
she's out sick or on leave, I have to think more than I'd like about what
is going on next to me, even with fine players. When playing in unison, I
fell that both players have to back off a little - the combined volume
can get overwhelming, and if the tuning is good, it can be hard to hear
yourself, causing each player to subtly "up the ante" volume wise.

When playing "second flute" or "second oboe", then you have to watch your
sound and balance a little more carefully than with pairs of clarinets,
IMO.

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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