Klarinet Archive - Posting 000457.txt from 2003/08

From: Jeremy A Schiffer <schiffer@-----.edu>
Subj: [kl] Klezmer?
Date: Mon, 18 Aug 2003 11:28:01 -0400

On Mon, 18 Aug 2003, Kenneth Wolman wrote:

> Briefly:
>
> I am in the process of really discovering this music. Yes, Giora Feidman
> (I can't wait until November, I've got tickets!) who is astounding but goes
> way beyond klezmer itself; and also some of the real down-home guys like
> Naftule Brandwein and Margot Leverett (the latter I gather is a modern
> recreator, but WHAT a recreator).
>
> Who else is out there? Does someone have a list or recorded players, or
> know where one exists?

http://www.klezmershack.com is the main resource for all things klezmer.
It has a list of bands and contacts, and dozens, if not hundreds, of CD
reviews for all things klezmer and klezmer-tinged.

And yes, Margot Leverett is modern; she's my teacher, in fact. Check out
her newest project at http://www.klezmermountainboys.com. They're a
klezmer and bluegrass band, which works surprisingly well.

> The only time I ever saw someone playing klezmer live was in the subway
> station at 47th Street & 6th Avenue back in 1997 or '98. An old guy
> wearing a yarmulke, playing what looked like an Albert system clarinet. I
> didn't think to ask him technical questions like this: what set-ups work
> for this sort of music? Mouthpiece, reed strength, even brands. Are there
> books? Instructional tapes? This music is more addictive than a pack of
> cigarettes:-).

The old school players did all use Albert clarinets, but the modern
players all use standard clarinets. There isn't really an ideal set-up. I
know fine players who use soft reeds and open mouthpieces and fine players
who use close facings and popsicle sticks. Legere's are good for klezmer,
if you can get a good one.

There is an instructional video by Andy Statman; he plays clarinet in the
video, but it's intended to be instrument neutral. If you go through
it, you learn four good tunes. Check out http://www.tara.com for the
video, as well as books (_The Compleat Klezmer_ by Henry Sapoznik, with
the CD, is a mandatory first purchase) and CDs for all things Jewish.

It is true, however, that the only real way to learn is by listening to
the old recordings and picking it up by ear. This is when a program like
"The Amazing Slow Downer" (http://www.ronimusic.com) is very handy. You
just can't notate the rhythm, the feel, or the ornaments with western
notation. When listening to players, it's quickly obvious who learned by
ear and who learned by reading; the former sounds good while the latter
"just doesn't get it" stylistically.

> Just don't tell me that to get the right sound for klezmer I'm going to
> need another Selmer Centered Tone...please:-).

I've never met anyone (as far as I know) who uses a Selmer. Like the rest
of clarinet land, it's very Buffet heavy.

-jeremy
http://klezmer.org

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