Klarinet Archive - Posting 000754.txt from 2001/11

From: The Guy on the Couch <jnohe@-----.Edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Intonation, Vibrato and Tone Quality
Date: Tue, 27 Nov 2001 19:12:08 -0500

On Mon, 26 Nov 2001, Bear Woodson wrote:

> I'm wondering how clarinetists adjust the Intonation
> while playing.

Very minute adjustments to tongue position, embouchure, and venting or
shading fingerings (or just plain using different fingerings depending on
where the note lies in the chord).

> I am also curious at to the issue of Vibrato.

Funny you should word it like that.

> The Clari-
> net has such a rich tone that I think only a slight shimmer
> of vibrato is needed occasionally on some of the longer
> notes. More than that would be too much for me, and
> sometimes to have NO Vibrato on some of the longer
> notes seems to sound too empty to me.

Vibrato is...um...usually at the discretion of the performer unless the
composer specifies it. Generally speaking, in American playing, vibrato
isn't all that prominent (GENERALLY SPEAKING...plenty of exceptions out
there, though).

J. Shouryu Nohe
Grad Assistant, New Mexico State University
"I think we have a ghost in our house." - Kaycee Nicole
"I should probably be playing Buffet." - Steve Moore

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