Klarinet Archive - Posting 000142.txt from 2002/11

From: "James Hobby" <jhobby@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] 'ff' and 'fff'
Date: Sat, 2 Nov 2002 23:42:04 -0500

<><> Bruce Hunter wrote:
>... actually Bill Wright wrote:
>
>If it makes any difference, I asked this question because I was
>listening to a composition of my own via Finale on my computer. A
>certain phrase sounds best if played 'ff'.

IMO the question is not whether the clarinet CAN play ff or fff or whether
the composer CAN write ff or fff. (And I hope I'm not starting one of the
esoteric discussions that I don't understand. <g>)

I think the question is what IS ff and fff when written for clarinet -- or
any other instrument, for that matter. I mean, of course, beyond loud and
louder. On my desk is the score for Holst/Smith "In the Bleak Midwinter,"
which I've been asked to conduct the local hs band on this Christmas
concert. The back page of the score was up, and bar 75 has all parts
(including clarinet) written fff followed by a cresc to sfffp. I once had
a band director say that no clarinet could play louder than forte. I said,
fine. Show me what that is. The entire dynamic range is relative to
itself. Whether it's marked f, ff, or fff, if the players are honking their
lungs from the end of the horn and the tone is splattering all over the back
wall, it's too loud.

Like I said, just IMO.

Jim Hobby

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