Klarinet Archive - Posting 000664.txt from 2003/06

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <patricia@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] vibrato
Date: Fri, 20 Jun 2003 18:26:47 -0400

Jason Spradlin wrote:

>I originally liked the song because of its role in the movie Mr. Holland's Opus but I like the way it was jazzed up for The Majestic. Although, when the song starts in the Majestic, it's very soft, like the original, and the long notes have a slight, subtle vibrato to them before it breaks out in a more upbeat
>fashion. But I was having trouble reproducing that vibrato and now I know
>why. heh.
>
>
Vibrato is definitely NOT for the faint of heart, nor is it something
learned quickly. I've even had one teacher who recommended utilizing an
uneven number of pulses on each beat, as a device to prevent the nanny
goat quality so many folks abhor. I found that utilizing this
technique, at least for me, though useful to learn as a teaching tool,
felt way too artificial when I was actually performing. I find that I
much prefer a bit of pulse between throat and diaphragm, with the
slightest lip movement. I try to think the sound of a very soft flute
when I play this way. I know - some folks don't really put much into
the "thought" connection here, but for me, at least, I find myself
relaxing and basically allowing myself to make music the best way I know
how.

I suppose, in the end, vibrato, like anything else, is basically simply
another useful tool in the musician's toolbox. One must use any tool
with judgment. And prepare to defend that judgment when opinions clash.
There's room for quite a few differences, I think.

Patricia Smith

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