 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2007-12-22 04:50
There's an interesting video about Clarinet Professor Robert Spring available. It seemed kind of hair raising to me...but check it out for yourself.
<www.azpbs.org/asuresearch>
Clarinet Redux
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Author: kilo
Date: 2007-12-22 11:38
The URL led me to "The Secret Life of Ants" ...
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2007-12-22 15:03
Does "puff" also apply to his face when using circular breathing? It's quite a weird spectacle.
He seems to me more of a stage entertainer that a musician...an opinion completely informed by ignorance and presumption.
I also have his CDs and even out of sight his playing still seems rather poor to me...OK!?
http://www.azpbs.org/asuresearch
The link works Ok without the <>.
Clarinet Redux
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Author: William
Date: 2007-12-22 15:42
Old Geezer says, "I also have his CDs and even out of sight his playing still seems rather poor to me...OK!?"
I would pay a million bucks to be able to play "poor" like Robert Spring. But if I could ever become a Harold Wright, that would be priceless..........
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Author: J. J.
Date: 2007-12-22 21:11
Let me preface this by saying that I don't own any of Spring's CDs, and don't particularly like his playing.
That being said, I have tremendous respect for him. He is able to do things that almost nobody else can do on the clarinet. Hes been active in pushing new music and is an engaging performer. At the end of the day, don't forget that we are performers, not some grand inellectual artists under the title of "musician."
Old Geezer, his cheeks puffing may distract you, but he's able to use that curcular breathing to play circlesa round what most clarinetists can do. While I wouldn't want to sound like him myself, there can be no doubt that he's a master of sorts and a unique figure within our stodgy clarinet world.
Post Edited (2007-12-22 22:10)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-12-23 04:15
Robert Spring was here for a clarinet event we had here so I saw a couple of masterclasses and a concert, and had a lesson with him. The lesson was pretty fun (we spoke more than we played) but the concert was really great. I also have many of his CDs, I just bought one each of all the ones he had with him since he sold them for cheap.
After listening to him in the concert and all his CDs I think someone needs to hear his uniqueness to see how great a musician he is. He played some things that many other clarinetists play, but he also played a few things that no one else plays! Specifically in that concert one new piece that someone composed for him. Hearing that made me want to buy his CD and go to his concert (if he is ever here again) because it was great music and different from anyone else.
Post Edited (2008-01-02 03:37)
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Author: AZRobert1
Date: 2008-01-01 17:57
Dear Old Geezer -
I guess even bad publicity is better than none! I wish you well and a very happy new year!
Bob Spring
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2008-01-01 19:01
You did notice that I acknowledged by opinion to be informed by ignorance and presumtion?
Good luck to you in the New Year.
Clarinet Redux
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Author: Liam Murphy
Date: 2008-01-02 01:32
About the puffing of Bob's cheeks:
For the few flautists that can circular breathe, puffing of the cheeks will make the technique ineffective for any form of sound production, so it is possible to circular breathe without the odd looking puffing. I know this for certain because I circular breathe often, and have managed to make the puffing appear fairly minimal.
Also:
Bob seems like a top bloke, but along with my respect for his technique, I'd not want to sound like him. I do understand that tonal quality is subjective. I am completely obsessed with the "Dark" sound, hence the B40 mouthpiece, 3.75 reed "Vandoren) and Selmer Signature that I own.
The world needs many different varieties of clarinetists, and I'm happy to have Robert in our union ranks : )
Liam
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Author: Brent
Date: 2008-01-03 18:58
Regardless of how you may find his playing, Bob Spring was for me very effective as a teacher. I sought him out for help with double-tonguing; in a very short time he was able to clearly guide me to a better understanding of what is necessary and enabled me to improve quite noticeably. He is, in my limited experience, quite personable and down-to-earth.
Brent
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