The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Re: Expressive Changes in Tonal Focus

Author: mnorswor
Date: 2007-09-02 15:00

In my studies with Stoltzman, he constantly emphasized getting the desired color or timbre by using different vowel sounds or consonants in articulation. He thinks of playing the clarinet like many think about speech. In his descriptions he would constantly refer to words or syllables that he had designed over his years of playing that helped him achieve the color or timbre that he wanted. One of the most difficult for me to do was always the "N" type of articulation. It sounds almost connected with only a hinting of a break while the sound continues. He does this by articulating on one side of the reed so that the other half keeps vibrating. For me (still) it's frustrating to try and make this articualtion but I've found it very useful in a myriad of situations.

In the upper register, Stoltzman is concerned with not having the clarinet sound too "clarinety". He likes a singing and more open sound as he thinks the clarinet gets too thin sounding. His primary vowel for the upper register is more of an AH or an EU (in French). This doesn't raise the tongue as much in the back as an EE would and allows for focus and warmth.

I'm not sure if this helps but since you asked about someone I studied with extensively, I thought I might offer some suggestions. Discovering colors and timbres is one of the joys of our instrument because we have so many possibilities and for me it's a lot of fun!

Happy practicing and playing!

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics