Klarinet Archive - Posting 000002.txt from 2002/12

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Tonguing --- Jack Brymer and Keith Stein
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2002 09:53:55 -0500

Forest Aten says: <>

Forest and Bill -

As far as I know, Keith Stein made no recordings (though there may be some in
the Michigan State library). However, I studied with him at Interlochen and
heard him play many times, both on stage and in his studio. There was
absolutely no sound of moving air when he stopped the tone on individual
notes.

I think we're talking about two types of tonguing, though.

In continuous staccato passages (say, 16ths at 120), I suppose everyone
agrees that there is only a single tongue stroke, which interrupts the sound
but does not necessarily stop the air movement, and in fact shouldn't stop
the air movement, since that involves extra effort. I think of it as the
tongue bouncing off the reed.

For individual staccato notes, or in slower passages that call for detached
notes, the tongue stops the tone (and the air) and, after a moment of
silence, releases for the next note. I think it's useful to learn the
minimum amount of tongue movement and pressure needed to stop both the tone
and the air. As part of this practice, you intentionally let the air
continue and experiment to find the least you can do to stop the air. But
you don't do this in performance.

Best regards.

Ken Shaw

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