Klarinet Archive - Posting 000489.txt from 2002/05
From: "James E. Jackson" <J.E.Jackson@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Perfect pitch
Date: Sun, 19 May 2002 10:00:33 -0400
Hi Kimber,
I'm a professional folk musician, although I'm just starting on
Clarinet. I do play other woodwinds (Several forms of bagpipe, and
recorder) And in my experience, particularly with a recorder, wooden
instruments do sound much mellower, and often more resonant and I
personally think they have a more professional sound over plastic ones.
Although, having said that wooden recorders are a pain to play if they
haven't warmed up, much like the Clarinet. Even though it's much more
work to maintain a wooden instrument (oiling, warming up, moisture
control) the improved sound is worth it in my opinion.
The same goes for guitars too, I used to have an Ovation which has a
rounded plastic back, but I much prefer the sound of a solid wood
guitar. Wood seems to resonate better than plastic, although I'm no
scientist.
Don't be fooled though, a really good quality plastic instrument will
often sound better than a really cheap and nasty wooden instrument.
Hope that helps,
James.
-----Original Message-----
From: Kimber [mailto:wolfcry01@-----.com]
Subject: [kl] Perfect pitch
Bill,
Thank you for replying again. On the perfect pitch subject, the
reason I asked is because the entire time I have been singing, I thought
I was tone deaf. Not nessisarily in listening, but I thought I couldn't
sing on key. When I found out I did have perfect pitch, naturally it was
a shocker. :) The point being, I never knew I had it, and, not bragging,
but I have a knack for the clarinet. I was playing better than the class
the first day, even people who had played before, in my age group. So,
if that was the case, why would the perfect pitch have interfered? So, I
guess it didn't. And about the wooden clarinet, I don't need one now. I
have a plastic clarinet that was my mother's when she started at the
same age I did. I don't feel I need it, but the opinion of a very
qualified person is that a wooden clarinet produces a better tone,
sound, whatever. I have a goal of being in the Philidelphia orchestra or
something similar, and so was considering, for future reference, looking
in to one. I probably won't, but still. And I have experimented with
different reeds,but the one I like best is too expensive to use all the
time, so I save that for concerts and such. so thanks! Also, do you know
where I can find Fur Elise by Beethoven, the notation for clarinet? Or
do they have it? If not you, then anyone???!!!??? Sincerely, Kimber
----- Original Message -----
From: William Wright <w7wright@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] Metal clarinets
> <><> Kimber wrote:
> Since you seem so well informed, would you mind explaining why having
> a voice with perfect pitch is supposed to interfere with my playing?I
>
> For the record, I'm neither well informed nor a skilled musician. I
> have no idea why having perfect pitch would be a problem --- except
> perhaps that most people don't have it, and therefore it may be
> unpleasant for you to play 'off-pitch' along with them?
>
>
>
> <><> Where can I buy a wooden clarinet other than the internet. I live
> in a small town in Washington, sooo......
>
> Ask your parents to take you to a big town. <smile> But also ask
> yourself: "Why do I want one?" Usually it's more useful (and less
> expensive) to experiment with different mouthpieces and reeds and
> ligatures first. This helps you to learn to discriminate between
> different 'sound characters' or "tone colors'. It also helps you to
> learn that your embouchure, breath support, etc vary from day to day
> as much as (or more than) any difference that equipment makes.
>
> Think a bit about the tag line below my signature.
>
> Cheers,
> Bill
>
> ================
>
> If I had Stadler's mouthpiece, would I play better? Or do I need his
> ligature also? Or perhaps he and I are different persons? If I had
> Mozart's pen, would I compose better?
>
>
>
>
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