Klarinet Archive - Posting 000706.txt from 2003/06

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Cohler's vibrato article
Date: Sat, 21 Jun 2003 14:29:51 -0400

In a message dated 6/21/2003 10:33:54 AM Eastern Standard Time, Tony@-----.uk writes:

> So if, as I maintain, the nature of vibrato is not captured by the 'feel-good factor' approach, then what *is* the nature of vibrato?
>
> My answer is that vibrato in playing is an expressive tool, and can be used both well and badly. That's because like all tools, it looks beyond itself -- in other words, it is *for* something -- in this case, it looks to musical expression. So it can be argued to be appropriate or inappropriate in a particular case.>>

I generally hate "me to" responses, but in this case I have to give a ringing endorsement to the above paragraph (mostly because I agree with it so strongly).

The arguement about whether to use vibrato or not to use vibrato is simplistic and dead wrong in concept. The fact is that in some cases, vibrato is expected, virtually required. In some cases the same vibrato can seem grossly overdone, or inappropriate.

I have always viewed vibrato as a "tool" in my "toolkit". I bring it out when appropriate, I put it away when it isn't.

As a debate, we should talk about when and in what circumstances is vibrato appropriate, not whether or not to ever use it.

Just my (not-so) humble opinion.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
world-class bass clarinet mouthpieces

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