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Soft Tone

Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-11-28 19:22

Just got in the Carbonare cd. Listening to it now! He has such a sweet soft tone in the upper register?? How does one achieve that? Open for suggestions

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Re: Soft Tone

Author: ron b
Date: 2003-11-28 20:25

A couple of suggestions off the top o' my head Rev. Avery, for whatever it's worth... playing softly, especially in the upper register, requires much more control than the casual listener might imagine.
I haven't heard the CD you mention but, in my opinion, to play high notes softly and sweetly you first of all must make sure your instrument is in tip-top condition - the tiniest leak will undermine your best attempts - then use lots of [controlled] air support.

- r [cool]

n b -

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Re: Soft Tone

Author: Rev. Avery
Date: 2003-11-28 22:26

Thank you Ron. I'm working on control as well as everything else right now. I'm somewhat rusty after so many years away from it. Not that I was anything great then, mind you.

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Re: Soft Tone

Author: sfalexi
Date: 2003-11-29 02:00

I also think that having a very light embouchre helps. I can (after much practice) play very softly in the upper register, but I have to almost completely relax my embouchre since any pinching of the reed tends to make the sound more shrill than soft. And I find myself blowing PLENTY of air through the clarinet to keep that reed vibrating.

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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