The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Amanda S
Date: 2004-12-18 20:30
I have area auditions coming up and in the audition piece, there are a lot of jumps...a lot of SLURRED jumps. One of the hard ones for me is a two octave jump, B to B to B. How can I make these come out smoother?
Thanks, Amanda
Post Edited (2004-12-18 20:34)
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Author: allencole
Date: 2004-12-18 20:44
LOTS of breath support is a good starter. Often, we are foiled in jumps (particularly downward) by differences in blowing resistance. Strong support tends to smooth out these differences.
Strong counting and rhythm is another important item. If your rhythm is the least bit sloppy, it could cause your hands to move at slightly different times--venting something unexpectedly and choking off your sound as well as your momentum.
Problems going over the first break often have a similar cause--improper handing of your second-space A key. Players often have nightmares about their hand coordination when the actual cause of their problem is the accidental venting of this key.
Allen Cole
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-12-18 21:50
Good breath support is a MUST.
Also, practice it VERY slow. Almost like doing a "long-tone" on each.
I don't know if you have the time, but one exercise that was taught to me helps this sort of stuff. I believe Leon Russionoff uses it. You take a note (starting on the chalemeau E is a good one), and slur the same interval up and down from it in varying rhythms (it's a little hard to describe, but I'll do my best). Start out with a half-step each direction and do it in the rhythms of half note, Quarter note, then eight note, then triplet, then sixteenth.
E, F, E, Eb (repeat this in the above rhythms all slurred together). Then . . .
E, F#, E, D
E, G, E, C#
Continuing on until you hit octaves (E, E, E, E)
This is basically the same exact thing you're doing, but on a B instead of E.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Amanda S
Date: 2004-12-19 00:29
Ok thanks. I'll try that exercise and try to increase my air support. The audition is Jan. 8 (i think...) so I should have all of the holidays to work it out. Happy Holidays!
Amanda
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Author: clarinetist04
Date: 2004-12-19 01:25
what's the piece...i recall an excerpt or piece that I've played with slurred B's in the fashion you've mentioned.
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Author: Amanda S
Date: 2004-12-20 01:25
It's in the C Rose etudes...I think number 11 in the 40 etudes book. I can't see what the composer was thinking when he wrote it. There seems to be no thought process and no flow. Bu then again, maybe I'm just not experienced at interpreting music. Oh well...
Amanda
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