Klarinet Archive - Posting 000530.txt from 2002/11

From: Deidre Calarco <dleigh@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Is my taste in clarinet tone getting "darker" in my old
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:55:58 -0500

On 11/12/02 2:20 PM, "Daniel Leeson" <leeson0@-----.net> wrote:

> Annie dear, the very idea of calling a tone "golden" and "darker" in the
> same sentence shows the futility of using colors to describe the sound
> character of an instrument.
>
> "GOLDEN" is what one might use as a metaphor for something so bright
> that its sparkle and brilliance hurts the eyes. How is possible by any
> stretch of the English languae for anyone to conclude that something
> which is golden is, simultaneously, dark???

Okay, I just joined the list, but I knew what she was talking about. By
"golden" she meant "rich." And, everyone knows what a dark tone is. It's
full and well supported - the opposite of bright and shrill. It's probably
a sound which includes only harmonious under- and overtones and is well
balanced and consistent.

What's wrong with using metaphors to describe sound? They can be so concise
and meaningful. Or am I opening a can of worms...?

-DC

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