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RE: Centered Tone

Author: Rick
Date: 1999-01-24 18:01

Ken, I have to take exception with your definitions.
This isn't easy, as you have a wealth of knowledge and
it was actually a posting of yours (over a year ago about
how you used to commute with a mp in your mouth to
develop the facial muscles for a double lip embouchure)
that struck me quite significantly and made me realize
that my approach to playing was far too casual.
But that said, I think your definitions for "centered" and
"dark" sounds actually contribute to the vagueness of
these terms. I would think that a centered tone would be exactly what it says: pure tone without an "edge" to it
and without behind wrapped around a twelth overtone.
I think it would read on a chromatic meter as a needle
pegged at 440 Hz, without wavering. This wouldn't
make it necessarily good or bad. In most instances it would
be something to strive for, but at times adding the "color"
of harmonics or vibrato or bending notes adds pesonality
to a piece. And this is the artistry of playing: being able to
and knowing when to "uncenter" the note for effect.

As far as "dark" tone being opposite of "pinched", harsh
untrained tone, I think this is a pretty subjective definition
you're using also. I you look at the literature that comes
with the Rovner ligature, it describes the technique for
cocking the ligature one direction or the other for a "brighter" response" or a "darker, more covered sound". In the"cocked backward" position for the darker sound, there is less vibrating reed length. Dark contrasted with bright, rather than dark contrasted with poor, seems like a more universal definition. At least that is my opinion.
One of the great advantages of this site is that it allows dialogue in a manner never achieved before to help make terms like this "definable".

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