 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lidasman
Date: 2004-12-15 20:21
I have in one of my study books a statement from no less than Artie Shaw to the affect that a clarinet played without vibrato sounds a miniature fog horn. Now I have heard from a good player who studied with a first clarinet in a good orchestra that said clarinetist opined that the clarinet sounded a lot like a steam calliope. Now what would make them insult the very sound that gave them a good living? Maybe they were talking about the sound other than when they themselves play.
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Author: diz
Date: 2004-12-15 20:22
Without knowing the background to Mr. Shaw's entire quote ... and people are often misquoted or completely taken out of context ... I'd be mildly surprised if Mr. Shaw's tongue wasn't firmly in his cheek.
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-12-15 21:02
Shaw used and advocated the use of vibrato when the clarinet was played as a solo instrument. Everyone does not agree.
Bob Draznik
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2004-12-15 21:04
Actually, a MINIATURE fog-horn is not such a bad thing......could be useful in a crowded, smoky bar for instance, to help the musician navigate from the stage to the food table at break time.......
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Author: Robert Moody
Date: 2004-12-15 21:34
Personally, I think vibrato should be a part of the natural training of playing clarinet. I think the mindset that all clarinet-playing should be without vibrato is not only old-fashioned, but simply silly.
But then again, I also believe that music of the genre where the practice of the period would make vibrato seem odd, should be played with a straight tone. So I might play Mozart straight-toned and Brahms or Schumann with a tasteful vibrato. Jazz influenced pieces (I believe) should be played with vibrato more often than not.
Even with-in the vibrato playing arena I believe there should be different nuances applied as well. Among singers it frustrates me to hear successful people who simply slap a fast or wide vibrato on everything they sing. BORING!!!
Just some of my opinions. ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
Robert Moody
http://www.musix4me.com
Free Clarinet Lessons and Digital Library!
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Author: Tom J.
Date: 2004-12-15 23:21
To vibrate, or not to vibrate: that is the question.
Seemingly, some instruments are amenable to both vibrato and a natural straight tone: the human voice, clarinet, brass, plucked strings. IMHO, the pure sounds of these instruments, especially the voice, are ill served by vibrato. I would love to hear a Die Walkure performed without vibrato.
Double reeds, saxes and bowed instruments, however, seem to have an overtone series that is better served by vibrato. My teacher once compared it's usage to a homely lady employing heavy makeup to disguise a multitude of sins, somewhat of an overstatement.
Whether its performance tradition, psychology or natural phenomena, the suitability of vibrato is worthy of some serious study.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2004-12-16 01:07
Surely it's not what the instrument is, that dictates it's suitability to vibrato.
Vibrato is surely something which , if not dictated by the music, is at least suggested by it.
Anyway I would think a search on "vibrato" will open a huge dialogue here -third only to "mouthpieces" and "reeds". Only more contentious !!??
I've certainly altered my perception and selective use of clarinet vibrato with experience and a through broadening of my (once narrow) tastes in music.
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Author: Rene
Date: 2004-12-16 06:44
Just one word to singing vibrato, for that is what I understand most of.
The vibrato in singing comes automatically when a certain level of technique is reached. Analysis shows that it is both in pitch and loudness. With a frequency of around ten Herz the vibrato vibrates between the correct pitch and a considerable flat pitch, dynamics from normal to softer. It is close to impossible to sing a forte without vibrato, unless it is supposed to sound like shouting. So it is probably a side of effect of singing technique.
Vibrato can be overdone. Most of the time this is because the singer wants to have vibrato and adds too much to the natural thing. Sometimes it is because of lacking technique and control, most often with older singers. Then there is a kind of Eastern singing with lots of forced unnatural vibrato.
What that all means to clarinet technique is beyond me. I would guess, a good tasteful clarinet vibrato is imitating the human voice. And it's not done permanently, like sitting on a laundry machine. I, for sure, cannot do a nice vibrato on the clarinet. When I try, it feels unnatural and bad to me. So, maybe in clarinet too one needs a higher skill level to do vibrato properly.
Rene
Post Edited (2004-12-16 06:45)
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2004-12-16 16:40
Paul Desmond was an amazing player and never used vibrato.
jmsa
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2004-12-16 16:52
Vibrato is usually used to liven up notes of longer duration. i.e. to make them more interesting. Paul Desmond (one of my personal style models) rarely held a note for long enough to need vibrato to relieve boredom.....
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-16 17:27
I forgot who (GBK I think quoted him or eluded to him) but I seem to remember some composer or player saying something to the effect that the reason vibrato is used to is cover up a bad tone, but that a clarinet's tone is so pure that no vibrato is necessary.
Something like that
(if you need images, try to picture a violin or oboe or any other instrument sustaining a note without vibrato)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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