 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-23 21:17
I'm just listening to a recording (made with my trusty old MiniDisc recorder) of a wind 5tet rehearsal I made earlier today (myself on clarinet - the other players are Royal Marines and a former RM flautist), I think it's the first time we've all met up played as a wind 5tet (I have worked with the others at various times, but not with all of us at the same time) and pretty impressed with the overall sound we make considering it was probably our first time as a get together.
And although there are some technical bits that I need to polish up (as I was sight-reading all the music), I must say I'm pretty chuffed with the general sound I'm making. I had my doubts having never heard that many recordings of myself on clarinet (well, maybe the one from about 10 years ago doing the minuet and trio from the Mozart 5tet) and thought my sound was way too bright and thin, but on playback I make a nice full, round and solid sound that is exactly the sound I imagine and hoped to make.
So I'm surprised and glad I can make the sound I do. Just need to get the fingers and tongueing in sync! At least I can compare my playing with a 10 year old snippet with how it is now, recorded on the same machine. There's definitely more maturity in my playing now, but it's a shame I haven't got any recordings from 18 years ago when I was doing much more playing to see how that compares with now.
And thanks to John Newhill for the 5tet arrangements he sent me - we settled into them very quickly and they need very little polishing up on our part. Also, with the wind 5tet we're all playing at a very comfortable volume level - not having to play too loud to be able to hear ourselves over the brass sat behind us!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2007-07-23 22:40
Not to be a party pooper, but I don't quite trust the MD recorder to give you an accurate rendering of what you actually sound like.
Anyway, glad you you were happy about it, enjoy it!
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-23 23:19
The MD recorder does tend to 'beef' things up somewhat, but even without the megabass on full it sounds pretty good to my ears.
I just need to work on my technique, but that's not to say I'll be resting on my laurels with my tone - not at all. I still know my shortcomings.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-07-24 04:02
Of course recording yourself is an excellent tool. Yes, minidisc defintely flatters the sound. Especially with Sony condenser mic. Good thing to know for making an audition tape.
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-07-24 11:45
Keep in mind that yes, generally the recorders do "beef" up your sound, however, there are ways of recording things a bit more naturally that may give you similar sounds - my point is, this proves my own opinion that sounds that the player hears are generally quite different from the exact sound the audience hears. While your actual sound may not be exactly as perfect as the recorder seems to play back to you, you should be quite proud of the maturity you've found in your sound over the years. Recorder "beefings" only go so far.
CA
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2007-07-24 12:25
Do you mean my recorded sound, or the one I hear?
(They're certainly different... must be the mic, yeah - that's it!)
One suggestion, move the microphone at least two meters away.
Closer than that, and winds sound thin as the mic picks up every whistle and click. Pete Fountain always said that his sound man was at least half of his public persona... there was some judicious remixing taking place on site.
Me, I figure if my dog stays put, things are tolerable to an audience.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-24 12:39
It was a tiny stereo power mic I used (Vivanco) - not exactly an expensive bit of kit but not bad for what it is.
I placed the mic about 6 feet away from us as we formed a semicircle around it, from left to right it was horn, bassoon, clarinet, oboe and flute. It did pick up the oboe and bassoon's clattering keywork, but that's audiable from any distance! I couldn't hear any (cork) pad noise on my part.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2007-07-24 15:54
I hate my minidisc, but its all I have.
I have moments of satisfaction with my sound, but too often my mind goes off and works on other stuff --and my tone slips. SIGH
Bob Phillips
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-07-24 15:58
"Me, I figure if my dog stays put, things are tolerable to an audience."
Nah. My dog comes running from anywhere in the house and starts singing with me :-D Until I tell him he needs to tacet because I'm practicing.
Yes, I place my mics across the room or keywork becomes much too audible, not to mention it just sounds better overall.
CA
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Author: CJB
Date: 2007-07-24 16:46
I think I've only once been happy with my sound - I heard a recording of a university wind band concert recorded by a music with sound recording student (ie someone who knew what they were doing). It was sometime after the concert and I'd forgotten about it. I remember listening to a clarinet solo and thinking that the tone was nice then checking the year to remember who was playing and was mildly surprised to discover it was me.
When I'm playing or hearing recordings of my playing there is always something I think that could be improved on.
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Author: ChrisArcand
Date: 2007-07-24 17:38
"When I'm playing or hearing recordings of my playing there is always something I think that could be improved on."
I don't think there's a single capable musician in the world who doesn't think the same thing.
CA
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Author: William
Date: 2007-07-25 15:40
Actually, I'm probably a bit weird, but I like it a lot--and so do most other musicians who (have to) listen to it (me). However, if I didn't, I think I would just play the oboe and use a lot of vibrato.........
(pssst--could you please pass the earplugs)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2007-07-25 20:22
I've never heard myself on a recording, but from what I hear out of my clarinet, I do like my sound. I think I'm doing ok with that. If only I had the technique that I could be happy with . . . .
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-07-25 20:25
"I wonder how Gene Simmons would do learning to double-tongue . . ."
I wonder how Buster Bloodvessel would do learning to double-tongue!
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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