Klarinet Archive - Posting 000077.txt from 2008/05

From: Tim Roberts <timr@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Why not a tone like a slippery eel?
Date: Mon, 12 May 2008 13:06:31 -0400

On Sat, 10 May 2008 12:00:41 -0700, Audrey Travis <clr91nt@-----.ca>
> Contrary to the almost automatic bashing (in this forum)of the use of
> words like dark (tone) and caramel, I find meaning and usefulness in
> these descriptions. These wods, and others such as chocolately, like
> Belgian chocolate or choclatey with a cherry overtone, or spinning or
> swirling evoke a context for me. While one person's understanding of
> these words are clearly going to be individual and different from the
> next person's, that is partially the point. No one's tone is identical
> to someone else's, nor should it be.

It seems to me that there is a difference in the vocabulary needed for a
review, and the vocabulary needed for pedagogy.

A reviewer is trying to paint a picture for the general public, and, of
course, to sell newspapers. Flowery and evocative language is quite
appropriate in such an environment, even if it has no technical
meaning. It isn't so appropriate in a teaching situation.

I think it's fine for a reviewer to say "Joe Clarinet played the
clarinet with a smooth, caramel ribbon tone," but when Billy Bob goes to
his teacher and says "I want to play with a smooth, caramel ribbon
tone," how is the teacher going to help him achieve that?
--
Tim Roberts, timr@-----.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

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