Klarinet Archive - Posting 000004.txt from 2002/12

From: "Forest E. Aten Jr." <forestaten@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Tonguing --- Jack Brymer and Keith Stein
Date: Sun, 1 Dec 2002 11:20:31 -0500

> 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
>

Ken,

Thanks for the post....

As I have posted several times before...there are many ways to articulate
using the tongue.

Your post discusses two very clearly different types of articulation.

I would like to add that in the "tongue stop staccato" exercise that you
describe....that any air "leaking" should leak through the corners of the
embouchure...not through the instrument. And yes....no air leaks during
performance, if at all possible.

Marcel Moyse had some very interesting ideas related to articulation.
Detached articulation in particular. I'll share them when I have a bit more
time.

Regards,

Forest

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