Klarinet Archive - Posting 000355.txt from 2004/10
From: Adam Michlin <amichlin@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Ideal clarinet tone
Date: Tue, 12 Oct 2004 19:04:26 -0400
I have spoken with Vincent Abato about this very subject and feel he has a
rather interesting take on the subject of clarinet sound. He refuses to
discuss anyone he has only heard on recording. He feels a recording does
not allow him to make an educated comment about such a person. Luckily,
there are very few musicians he hasn't had the privilege to hear live.
Recordings, as wonderful as they are, are not "real". I suspect this is
much of what caused problems in Clark's generation (and continues to be a
hazard in today's upcoming clarinetists). A recording can be manipulated in
1001 ways before and after it is recorded. Attempting to sound like a
recording is simply impossible and will get you in a lot of trouble in a
live situation. A first clarinetist must be able to protect, at the softest
volume, to the last row of the biggest symphony hall.
That same clarinetist may have to drastically alter his sound in a
recording situation (entirely dependant on the gig). Recording sessions
often tend to be the opposite of an orchestra gig, up close dry mic'ing and
who knows what the sound engineer is going to do to your sound.
Don't get me wrong, I would never give up my CD collection, but I would
suggest anyone worrying about an "ideal clarinet tone" might benefit from
spending a little more time listening to live performances and little less
time listening to recordings. I don't think there is such a thing as a one
sized fits all "ideal" tone. But I do feel there is only one ideal flavor
of ice cream, vanilla. And if you don't like vanilla, you're just wrong.
Really really wrong.
I once asked Mr. Abato who his biggest influences were and his response,
without hesitation, was "Tommy Dorsey and Jascha Heifetz". Not a single
clarinet player. Both players he was undoubtedly able to hear live. Listen
to the best musicians instead of merely the best clarinet players and you
(that's the general you) will become a musician who plays the clarinet
instead of merely a clarinet player. In a perfect world, listen to them live.
-Adam
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