Klarinet Archive - Posting 000505.txt from 2002/11

From: Tom.Henson@-----.com
Subj: RE: [kl] Dark Sound
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:55:33 -0500

Here is my opinion for what it's worth.

If one gets the best clarinet that they can afford and it is in good
mechanical condition such as to not be a hindrance in sound production, and
you have diligently experimented to get the right combination of mouthpiece,
reed, and ligature that also produces a sound unhindered by any mechanical
problems, and you have worked and practiced diligently to play with a
properly formed embouchure (depending on what works best for you), and you
have diligently practiced the proper breath support and breath control, then
the tone will simply take care of itself.

The only thing that I find will improve a person's tone over time is simply
playing. The more mature your embouchure and breath, generally, the better
your tone will get.

After you have done all you can do mechanically, there rest is simply up to
you and your practice/playing time.

I'm sure that some tone color can be changed through different mechanical
means such as putting all cork pads on the upper joint, etc., but I don't
see how you can possibly significantly change what will come out of all
this.

You are what you are. Simply strive to have the best equipment and then
practice, practice, practice.

That is how you will improve your tone.

It will, however, always be "your" tone.

Inevitably, there will always be some whose tone we hold in high esteem as
being an example of what we think a clarinet should sound like.

But you can never duplicate this exactly because the "machine" that produces
this tone is the human being and each one of use is different. Some people
will always have a tone "to die for" and others will always struggle to
emulate that.

Tom Henson

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