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 Smooth Slurring
Author: Amanda S 
Date:   2005-04-16 17:18

For state solo and ensemble, my solo has a slurred triplet pattern all the way through it. In one part, I play G B C (throat G, mid staff B and C) and then E B C (throat E, mid staff B and C). I can never make the E come out when playing up to tempo. I've tried a lot of methods, but none seem to work...how can I solve this? If anyone knows the piece, it's Adagio and Gigue by Corelli. I'm also trying to figue out how to create music with this piece...
Thanks, Amanda

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 Re: Smooth Slurring
Author: Ralph G 
Date:   2005-04-16 18:10

Do you have to slur from the C down to the E? If it were me and I needed a quick fix, I'd drop my head a little when slurring down, but keep the clarinet in the same position. This would bring my lower lip slightly up on the reed and would bring out the lower partial. There would be a very slight bump as the partials change, but it would be hardly noticeable compared to tonguing the notes.

Most of the transition is usually done with air stream. When playing, find that little pocket of air pressure in your mouth that's generating the energy needed for the note. By opening up your embouchure slightly when moving to the E, you can move that pocket down in your mouth to smoothly transit between registers. It takes some practice, but it works.

Good luck

________________

Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.

- Pope John Paul II

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 Re: Smooth Slurring
Author: EEBaum 
Date:   2005-04-16 18:29

Give it a very slight tongue if you can't manage it any other way. It likely won't be noticeable to the listener.

-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com

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 Re: Smooth Slurring
Author: Liquorice 
Date:   2005-04-16 21:03

Here's something to try:

Intead of thinking "down" to the E from the C, think "up". You are, after all, moving from a long pipe to a shorter pipe. I'm not sure if this will work for you, but try it anyway!

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 Re: Smooth Slurring
Author: 3dogmom 
Date:   2005-04-16 21:18

Is it possible you're moving your left hand out of position when you're coming off of the "C"?
Sue

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 Re: Smooth Slurring
Author: ken 
Date:   2005-04-16 22:32

My first reaction is this isn't a technical encumbrance but one of more steady air stream and confidence boost.

You could try three (3) quick fixes [if you can do them] "simultaneously".

1) When dropping down to the E natural add a slight "breath attack", and/or boost air stream a tad. If the note won't speak (ensuring to relax) keep pushing and making passes until it pops out and you can gear it. A self-help is being certain to hit the E natural right on beat as you want to use it as an anchor when descending and a springboard when ascending.

2) Assuming, (and this requires a degree of technical flair) you're fingering the break B natural on the left side, also depress the right side pinkie middle C natural, then coming off the B natural into the open G natural keep your right fingers down, similar to a vented open G natural (index, middle, ring) plus right pinkie on the lower joint as you're coming back.

3) An intellectual help: internalize the E natural before playing it; hear the pitch in your head as a nice full and in-tune pitch; even visualizing the fingering if necessary.

I don't recommend a tongue attack here as it can create speed bumps, however, if playing the note and figure is the "priority" and smooth slur the ideal, do what you have to do to negotiate the part. I'm of the opinion it's perfectly acceptable to [conditionally] take short cuts to positively affect the whole.

You could actually turn the G, B C into a 3-note tremolo exercise. In this instance, lesser movement is best. Good luck...

ref: |000|XXX (right pinkie C key). v/r Ken

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 Re: Smooth Slurring
Author: hartt 
Date:   2005-04-18 03:59

be sure all fingers come down at PRECISELY the same time. Coming off the throat A key can be tricky. Whether you're going from throat A to F#, or A to 'break' B, the LH index finger is ALWAYS at the same placement on the A key.....no deviation.

Repeatedly. practice your legato 'backswing' until it's second nature (works very well going down) . Then, when playing w/o intentional 'backswing' , you'll notice more fluid fingers, clearer notes & evenness.

Always breath support.

now go practice

regards
dennis
(:o)

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 Re: Smooth Slurring
Author: Avie 
Date:   2005-04-18 09:52

Is it possible that when going from mid staff C to throat E the register key hesitates just enough when at a faster tempo to prevent the E note from executing?



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 Re: Smooth Slurring
Author: Ken Shaw 2017
Date:   2005-04-18 18:36

It's easy to get into the habit of dropping air pressure on slurs, or of giving a puff of air. It becomes so ingrained that you don't even know you're doing it.

Try turning the mouthpiece around, with the reed on top. Put the reed on your lower lip with the keys reversed. Hold the barrel and bell, close your eyes and play open G. Have someone else stand in front of you and do the slur to E. If it's smooth (and it's dollars to doughnuts that it will be), you need to correct the breathing problem.

An exercise is to play low A and press the register keey very slowly, so you don't know when the tone will jump up to E. Then play low B, press the register key gently and let your right index finger drop by gravity onto the hole as you go up to E. Continue on up the scale to the G-E interval.

Ken Shaw

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