 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: MBrad
Date: 2009-01-21 16:48
Hello all,
I am performing Giacinto Scelsi's "Kya" for solo clarinet with small ensemble in March. There are indications for wide vibrato of at least a quarter tone (presumably below the written pitch). On the recordings I have listened to it seems that at least several of these have been performed using bisbigliando rather than actual vibrato. The instruction is simply "vibrato assai ampio (circa di un quarto di tono)".
In some ways the piece is easier, and arguably more effective, utilizing color trills. To achieve a wide-enough vibrato I have to use my jaw, and on pitches toward the bottom of the clarion register it ends up sounding like a normal, albiet fast, vibrato (i.e. not ornamental enough). On those same notes, B through D in the middle of the staff, the only bis. I can figure out raises the pitch rather than lowers it.
In your opinion (or knowledge of the piece and its background), which do you think is preferrable? Should I aim to be consistent or should I only use bisbigliando where it would be more effective than a true vibrato? Might there possibly be some unnoticed nuances in the Italian language that would explain the desired effect differently? Do you think the other woodwind players in the ensemble (English Horn and Bass Clarinet) should use bisbigliando if I decide to?
Otherwise, I'm finding it to be a brilliant piece and a stunning addition to the clarinet repertoire. Wish me luck for the performance!
Post Edited (2009-01-21 17:26)
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Author: MBrad
Date: 2009-01-21 17:33
N.B. I should say that I have been using quarter tone trills rather than vibrato OR bisbigliando, when there is a convenient trill fingering.
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Author: Tony Pay ★2017
Date: 2009-01-21 17:40
If an extreme pitch and tonal variation is required, I have sometimes moved the whole clarinet bodily in and out of my embouchure set. You can do that quite fast; but I don't know if the effect would be appropriate for this piece.
Tony
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Author: MBrad
Date: 2009-01-22 19:46
Thanks for the reply Tony...I had actually never tried that before. I may use it in one particular instance where there is extreme vibrato *and* a pitch slide as the results are far more effective than anything else I was trying. I think the shaking approximates the intended effect as well as any other technique, though it takes significantly more effort. In this case, with any other vibrato or trill technique I was having difficult making the slide simultaneously apparent (or I was stopping the vibrato and then sliding, differently than notated).
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