Klarinet Archive - Posting 000195.txt from 2006/05

From: "Tony Pay" <tony.p@-----.org>
Subj: Re: [kl] Stravinsky 3 Pieces rhythm problem
Date: Sat, 27 May 2006 20:25:28 -0400

On 5/28/06, Joseph Wakeling <joseph.wakeling@-----.net> wrote:

> The passage in question is on the third stave of the new Chester edition, a
> septuplet semiquaver passage followed by straight demisemiquavers.
>
> Any suggestions on how to go about getting the rhythm right? Preferably
> involving use of metronome and advice about how to go from
> very-slowed-down perfect all the way to full-speed perfect.

Assumption: the septuplet is seven semiquavers in the time of six. (I
think this is the most musically plausible assumption, though you can
make out a case for seven in the time of eight.)

Then set your metronome in slightly slower quavers, and loop a
completely even septuplet against each three. You'll find out how
fast you need to play after some cycles. Then speed up, and when it's
secure, add the demis.

It's a quite useful tip to loop the septuplet several times before
jumping into the demis anyway -- as a special case of the general
practice method of looping the first part of a tricky passage until
it's fixed in memory, and you can look ahead to read the next bit
before playing it.

Doing it always reminds me of watching the girls at school jumping
rope years ago; each girl entering the long rope (turned by two other
girls) usually rehearsed the first bit of her entry several times,
swaying back and forth until she got the timing just right.

Tony

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