Klarinet Archive - Posting 000116.txt from 2004/11

From: Tony Pay <tony.p@-----.org>
Subj: [kl] Style and balance (2); Wind bands
Date: Thu, 4 Nov 2004 06:46:03 -0500

I agree with the various things that have been posted about the need for
excellent playing, in particular the need for good tone quality, in order to
achieve good balance.

I've already indicated how the 'style' question comes into it. But there is
something else about wind playing that is quite technique-specific.

It is that in order for a wind band to play naturally in a 'more spoken'
style, the players must all understand the role of 'support' in what they
play. If they do not, then their attempts to 'lighten' chords and phrases
simply break up the natural line, and create an artificial result.

The essential point is that the 'line' in supported wind playing is created
by the constant 'blowing' action of the abdominal muscles; and the
'lightening', or modulation, by the action of the diaphragm.

If a group does this as a whole, the difference to the balance -- indeed, the
difference to the sound itself -- is enormous, even though each individual
player may not notice a great deal of difference.

With expertise in the use of support, and an understanding of how playing
style enters the picture, textures can be clarified *even without changing
the dynamic indications between different sections*.

(Of course, that sometimes helps too;-)

Tony
--
_________ Tony Pay
|ony:-) 79 Southmoor Rd tony.p@-----.org
| |ay Oxford OX2 6RE http://classicalplus.gmn.com/artists
tel/fax 01865 553339

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