 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: LeWhite
Date: 2005-03-06 12:42
hey guys
At the moment I'm playing in Cosi fan Tutte, and there are a few areas where the clarinet is in unison with the soprano. But, er, it doesn't SOUND in unison at all. The two sounds don't 'clash' like when you're out of tune with another instrument. It just doesn't feel right. Is this because of the singer's vibrato? Is there anything I can do to make it sound better, or does it sound fine to the audience and to the singer? The conductor says it's 'gorgeous' but I dunno. Maybe it's just me, I've never worked this closely with singers before.
Any thoughts?
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Author: William
Date: 2005-03-06 15:58
"Is there anything I can do to make it sound better"
Play louder so you can't hear the singer comes to mind..................
Unfortunately, singers often concentrate more on the width of their vibrato than the accuracy of their pitch--and frequently sing (scream??) sharp. Just try to be "all ou can be" and cope as musically as you can. If the conductor says "it gorgeous", you must be doing something right--or perhaps he/she also suffers from the Van Goeh ear syndrom which afflicts too many vocalists.
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2005-03-06 19:09
William -- meow! There is the joke, though, about how many sopranos it takes to change a light bulb...
Joking aside, the issue of the width of vibrato may indeed be coming into play. Are you into performances, and have the singers been playing with the orchestra for awhile? If not, there may be natural adjustments that will occur as the singer hears the accompaniment. If not, there may not be a lot you can do except be "gorgeous".
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Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2005-03-06 22:36
How many sopranos does it take to change a light bulb?
Just one--she stands there holding the light bulb and the world revolves around her.
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Author: DougR
Date: 2005-03-06 23:12
Actually, if the conductor says it sounds gorgeous (and MEANS it), you're doing exactly what you should be doing. So, nothing to change.
But, if it were me, I might try the following: play the horn line more mezzo-voce, & see if that sounded better. I don't know the piece (musical illegritimate); are you supposed to be UNDER her, or MATCHING her, in terms of volume & projection? You could try playing "under" her a little more & see if the feel improves.
Or, pick up a world-class recording of the piece & see what THAT tells you about the relative balance of the voice vs clarinet.
Or, take your concerns to the conductor, a little more vigorously. See if his story changes. ("Well, now that you mention it...")
Or, if you can get a friend into the rehearsal, have them listen out front & report back to you.
Or, if anyone else in the orchestra has a solo line with her, see what THEIR reaction is! Easy to match with her? Hard to match with her?
You can actually have a little fun with this, like a science project or something, since the conductor seems happy with how you sound.
Have fun! Try stuff! Report back!
cheers
Doug R
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-03-07 01:14
LeWhite:
Maybe it's your LeBlanc clarinet - I understand that they don't match with singers.
(Just Kidding)
Actually, I really envy you playing Cosi - what an amazing piece of music, theater and clarinetistry. I have the score and often play the clarinet parts for fun.
If the conductor says gorgeous, then relax and enjoy. Maybe you should ask him/her about your perceptions.
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Author: ken
Date: 2005-03-07 01:17
Play wider and louder vibrato then the singer.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2005-03-07 15:57
Ah, the Sidney Bechet solutiuon. I wonder if the singer would get the message?
Allen Cole
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