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G5-G6 Gliss (smear) Question

Author: Rick Williams
Date: 2005-01-08 20:18

I've been working on Shaw's Clarinet Concerto for a while and am having problems with the slow G5-G6 smear. I can easily smear the G5-C or even open D but for the life of me I haven't figured out what to do after that in order to keep a smooth smear going to G6. I imagine there is some technique to get across the split fingering and then from D to the G.

Any suggestions, pointers or tips would be appreciated! I also did an archive search but didn't find anything.

Thanks in advance.
Rick

Best
Rick

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Re: G5-G6 Gliss (smear) Question

Author: GBK
Date: 2005-01-08 20:45

The fact that Shaw does it seamlessly proves it definitely can be done.

The fact that John Bruce Yeh didn't do it as well on his recording proves it is quite difficult.

For the the G5 to G6 gliss, I use standard chromatic fingerings, ending with the G6 fingered:

TR o x o + right side Bb/Eb / o o (sliver F# key) o Eb/Ab

That way, the G6 stays in the same overtone series as the previous chromatic notes C#6 to F#6.

Again, a combination of embouchure/throat tightening and fingering coordination will get you over the C6 to C#6 "break".

2 additional tips:

Instead of going from C6 (TR o o o / o o o) to C#6 (TR o x x /x x o), try sliding up to C#6 using (TR G# o o o / o o o) before you cross the break to C#6 (TR o x x / x x o )

I also put on the right pinky Eb/Ab key from the opening G5 and leave it on for the entire gliss. It seems to help the transition a bit more.

You may not conquer this gliss in one afternoon, but with practice it can become fairly seemless...GBK

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