 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: charles bergere
Date: 1999-05-28 16:45
Why are so many players intent to get a darker tone on the clarinet. In classical music, clarinet are always playing second fiddle to the oboe or the flute. Tradition has relegated the clarinet to a mere coloring in the orchestration. I stick to a bright tone similar to Pete Fountain even when I play Mozart or others.
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Author: Kaleb Shumacher
Date: 1999-05-28 20:34
Lite and Dark tone really becomes a limiting way to conceive of tone. It works great for turkey though.
Your tone can be bright like the sun - or bright like 5-0's lights in your review, right?
Your tone can be thick and dark like granpa's wood cane, or slow and mushy like mudpies.
How many tones can you play? What can you convey?
"The music isn't supposed to stand still."
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 1999-05-29 15:00
Good comments above; dark tone is too limiting a concept. HOwever, as a basic for the typical North American sound, it's useful. Remember, though, that that's only one possible tone quality: if you listen to French or Hungarian clarinetists, their sounds tend to be bright; German sounds tend to be REALLY dark; etc. If you like a different sound better, that's fine. Just remember that in an ensemble situation you have to blend with whoever else is playing; whichever sound you choose to work for, you should be flexible enough within it to create a whole range of different qualities.
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Author: ted
Date: 1999-05-30 00:27
I don't really have an answer, just a few comments.
My teacher, who has heard Harold Wright, on many occasions, described his tone to me as being "bright and very penetrating during most of his career." He explained tht he didn't mean bright in a negative way - that he realy admired his sound.
In my opinion, Wright's sound is somewhat the exception in this country, but no less desirable than the norm.
Also (my opinion) some music compositions, dictate a different sound (light vs. dark, mysterious, direct, light vs. heavy). I think performes who strive for a darker sound, for example, do a better job of pulling of pieces like the Brahms Quintet or Shumann Fantasy pieces.
I enjoy a brighter sound for the Weber Quintet, however, which showcases the clarinet more and the strings seems to have less of a role. Also the "mood" of the Weber seems happier and more frivilous which I think works with a brighter sound.
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