 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Allie
Date: 2003-05-13 23:07
I did a search on vibrato, and I realize that there are people all over the board on this issue, nevertheless, I'd like to hear your thoughts on it. I naturally play with a slight vibrato. It's not overpowering in any way, and on many occasions sounds quite nice. I am capable of playing without it, but when I'm not thinking about it, it just sneaks back in there. I don't *think* that I am moving my jaw or anything, it just seams to happen naturally when I play, as it does when I sing. Is there a problem at all with this? Is there a reason that I should work to get rid of it?
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Author: Tom Piercy
Date: 2003-05-13 23:20
If your sound is good, if your approach to the instrument is good,
if your intonation is great, and
from what you have described as it being natural,
and you have the ability to stop it if needed - - then -
there is no problem with it - and there is no reason to work to get rid of it.
There are many more posts here, mine and others, on this issue. Enjoy the reading and then enjoy playing with that "quite nice" sound you mentioned.
Tom Piercy
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-05-13 23:38
English (especially London) Clarinetists use it (wtih descretion) American ones do not - to be very general. I don't have a problem with it, personally, so long as it isn't a Maria Callas like wobble.
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Author: ned
Date: 2003-05-14 00:09
jazz players use it a lot, classical players - not a lot. I think most of the people who read this forum are of the latter persuasion.
JK
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-05-14 00:19
So, you're saying you WANT to sound like everyone else?
Your vibrato is probably like mine, generated somewhere deep in your gut.
I hear vibrato nearly everywhere else in the orchestra, and have (personally) had quite enough of steely, metallic playing from clarinets.
It's no crime to make a beautiful sound.
I chime in with TP, if you're on time, on pitch and on the dynamics - keep it!
If your director asks for less, fine.
If you're feeling pressure from your section, ask them what part of your chart they're reading...
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-05-14 00:49
Czech clarinetists play with vibrato (rather too quick and sickly for my liking) - possibly descended from their Classical days? (think Mozart) - interesting to try and find that one out - though rather impossible I'd think.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-05-14 11:45
It depends on your audience and/or your conductor. If you're playing for your own enjoyment and you like v then go for it. If your conductor doesn't like it better stop or get out.
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Author: geo
Date: 2003-05-14 11:55
There is a neat essay on this at Sneezy by Jonathan Cohler, enjoyable to read no matter what part/side of the fence you may be on:
Notes on Vibrato
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-05-14 13:59
The Czech vibrato is certainly far less predominant that years ago.
My recordinngs on Naxos (of Czech groups I have) noted... find very little vibrato in the clarinets.
George Peterson of the Concertgebouw has an amzing sound and a light vibrato. Very beautiful and he also turns it off on some pieces.
Vibrato is an inssue among clarinet players. Some say no and others yes. My feelings are it can enhance tuning and refine the sound.
Too much of a straight tone and then one has to fight monotony and boredom......
The reason why Gervase dePeyer is universally popular is due to song-likre quality he plays all the repetoire. I certainly prefer his vibrato way over Jack Brymer's.
I also have colleagues who wonder how I use vibrato because they can't play the clarinet with this technique. Maybe they need to investigate vibrato. I certainly find it refines the tone and can also bring the clarinet into a blend with oboe and flute...these instruments use vibrato.
When talking of vibrato there are a number of types. Heavy pitch vibrato which one hears occassionally in the Berlin flutes of the Berlin Phil. This is more like a slow undulation of pitch....I tend to find this unsuited to clarinet playing.
Then there is a slight wave like vibrato which is more vocal in nature....this is more suited to the clarinet.
There is also the fast whiney vibrato which is unappealling.....french clarinetists in the mid 60s used this a great deal. Now this is totally dead in France and is rarely heard except on old records.
I tend to find most clarinet players need to inject a winder expressive range into their playing. The danger of playing everything with the same tone and color is the lack of shade and nuance some music requires... for example the debussy Rhapsody really needs in spots a touch of vibrato I feel. Players like dePeyer and Peterson give this piece something which playing it "straight" lacks.
Walter Boeykins at times empoloys a touch of vibrato to great advantage. He also plays some music straight. Understandably. I have a great record of the Brahms Quintet for Clarinet with dePeyer. This version is easily my favorite. Some people can't get around his tone or vibrato...but what music making!!! I have always liked his sound....
The controversy about vibrato is more on when and how to employ it. Yet why are clarinet players the only section that use it very little?
David Dow
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-05-14 15:53
Perhaps too many instructors and school band directors associate clarinet vibrato with a weak embochure and thus poor musicianship.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-05-14 16:06
Harold Wright, than whom there is no whomer, used a fair amount of vibrato. Listen to his recitals on Boston Records.
And of course, my favorite player of all is Kell.
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Author: diz
Date: 2003-05-14 22:05
"than whom there is no whomer" - sorry, Aussie English is obviously primitive - please explain?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-05-15 14:46
diz -
"Than whom there is no better" is a fairly common fancy phrase. I tried to give it an extra twist. In plainer English, Harold Wright was one of the greatest players ever. If he used vibrato, nobody can criticize you for following his example.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2003-05-15 16:18
I like the way Baroque wind players use vibrato as an ornament. I have a CD of flutist Patrick Gallois, and I like his use of vibrato.....very much enhances the sound without sounding forced.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-05-16 12:36
When I studied clarinet with Mr. Wright he always went with one statement.
<<" ..Vibrato should be natural and sound natural. It should never get in the way of the nuance or musical process>>"
This comment is from the extensive notes I kept at lessons...
I think vibrato like Harold Wright's is as close to this ideal that would like to achieve. A really fast vibrato usually means there is control issues.
Another note from Harold Wright...
"In order to achieve a satisfactory sound correct embouchure and air flow become one. Vibrato is much easier with a proper(alive) air column. A tense (unpleasant)vibrato occurs when the player loses support of the sound. ..etc"
In sharings these notes I hope it gives a bit of insight on some of the work I did under his tutelage.
David Dow
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-05-16 12:53
I found "than whom there is no whomer" quite pleasant and innovative.
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Author: n_hanson12
Date: 2003-05-16 18:17
Everyone seems to be talking about how nice vibrato is, when used correctly. My question is, what causes vibrato. I get unwanted vibrato sometimes, and I can't figure out what is causing it. I don't have it all the time, and it just seems to happen randomly. Any ideas?
~Nicki
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Author: Allie
Date: 2003-05-18 19:08
Thanks guys, for your comments/advice!
Synonamous Botch: "So your saying you WANT to sound like everyone else?"
No, I most certainly am not saying that. I just want to be sure that there are no technical problems I need to correct.
Yes to your other statement: "Your vibrato is probably something like mine, generated somewhere deep in your gut." That's just about exactly what it sounds and feels like for me.
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Author: rbell96
Date: 2003-05-18 19:22
I heard a Czech recording on BBC Radio 3 yesterday morning. It was of the Debussy Trois Nocturnes. The flute player had the most ghastly vibrato!!
Rob
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