 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: T Webb
Date: 2010-12-01 23:36
I have a good idea of what this (embellishing the melody) means, but need info on different approaches to make it happen!!
I guess one approach would be using my ears with a recording and trying different embellishments to see how it sounds (which I do).
But I'm also interested in books and/or articles that discuss other approaches (i.e grace notes, approach notes, turns, adding passing notes, etc, etc).
I welcome your comments and recommendations.
Thanks,
Ted
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Author: Tony M
Date: 2010-12-02 03:55
Just to add to Ken Shaw's valuable advice: the style of music is going to effect the sense of embellishment. He gives a source for earlier music about which I know nothing. A good source for playing jazz is Mark Levine's The Jazz Theory Book. Although the book is aimed at piano it can be useful. In fact (and I know that this is not the best way to proceed) I find that when I need to think embellishments, I often noodle the melody out at a piano and something about having the keys set out in front of me helps me be a bit more inventive with embellishments. I hope that isn't counter-productive but it works for me.
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2010-12-02 05:59
The OP hasn't stated what period of music they are looking to embellish. Without this it is really very difficult to give a specific reply. Perhaps they will. I will assume it's Classical. Though Ken's suggestion is a great source it is a little dated when it comes to clarinet music of the Classical period, would recommend sourcing C.P.E Bach's Keyboard treatise as well as that of Turk. Leopold Mozart's treatise on the Violin, though in the late 18C there would be others. Also look to investigating Lefevre 1802 clarinet treatise and those of his contemporaries. All have really good ideas on embellishment.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: T Webb
Date: 2010-12-02 13:36
I'm sorry that I was not more specific with the type/period of music. My interest is in pop and/or standards.
More specifically, I have a very simple keyboard ballad book set out much like a fake book. I've transposed the melody line for myself (playing clarinet) and my wife plays the harmony (chords) on the keyboard.
I am trying to involve (push gently) my wife in music, generate a bit of keyboard accompaniment and have some family fun. This is not something I will be taking on the road!
The melody line is made up of mostly quarter, half and whole notes. And pretty boring! I just want to embellish (or maybe 'jazz up') the melody and make it more interesting to the ear. I just don't know how to do it!
I see that most of the whole notes are a third of the chord and a few a fifth. What could I do with that whole note to give it some interest? This is the kind of info I'm seeking.
Thanks
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2010-12-02 15:38
I don't know of any sources, but one thing you can do without "messing up" the harmonies is to alter the rhythms. If there is a half note, try playing two quarters, or two eighths and a quarter, or even eighth quarter eighth, all on the pitch written. Or add a rest for the first part of that note and come in on the second beat!
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Author: Tony M
Date: 2010-12-02 21:03
One thing to do is listen to pop singers if you are interested in pop/standards. In fact, even if you don't like the music, that whole school of pop/r'n'b singing like Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston is good to try and emulate because they embellish melodies all the time. It isn't improvisation in the jazz sense but they do try to play with the entry into and movement out of phrases in a way that is compatible with melodic instruments like the clarinet. Ironically it is one of the reasons that people complain about them, although not necessarily in those terms.
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Author: T Webb
Date: 2010-12-02 21:59
Tony,
Thank you for your comments. I suppose pop singers embellish both in a harmonic and rhythmic sense. Do they tend to favor one over the other?
I just realized your location! I live west of Brisbane in the Gatton area. Can you please contact me at twebbcon@gil.com.au?
I would like to discuss clarinet teachers and clarinet repair in the Brisbane area.
Thanks,
Ted
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Author: Tony M
Date: 2010-12-02 22:06
Sorry for repeated posting but I reread the original post and thought of something else of a slightly different nature. One old trick with soloing on pop songs is to play a minor pentatonic scale a sixth above the key, e.g., if the tune is in C major, play around with the A min pentatonic scale over the changes and you should always be fine as long as the harmony doesn't change key on you.
This is more for soloing and improvisation but if you play around with this then you are likely to loosen up a bit to find embellishments to the melodies that you have learned. You will be training your ear to find the gaps that you can use and points that you can embellish upon. And it's a fun way to play. Your wife can do the same thing with her right hand on the keyboard.
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