Author: zhangray4
Date: 2017-07-31 21:49
Great comments on the ClarinetFest, Bob. Have never been to one before, so it was great to hear about what all the excitement was about. The clarinet sound has indeed changed. I personally like the Marcellus sound, but I think the true heroes are those who allow different opinions. You, I and a select few may like the Marcellus sound: why not let others like whatever sound they like? If they like Ricardo Morales's sound, then let them have their own opinion.
I think it would be wrong to "force" people to get rid of the modern clarinet sound and allow only the Marcellus/Genusa sound. Think about it: we let people choose which restaurants they want to dine at, what brand of clothes to buy, what toilets to install in public restrooms, even...
Is it correct to "force" people to play the clarinet with a certain sound by banning any products that produce a "darker," "deader" sound? Would that not be discriminatory, perhaps?
America is great because we are given the freedom to choose. And America is now influencing the world about the right to choose. "Banning" the "modern" clarinet sound would ban the individual rights of the clarinetists.
I had a pro (a clarinetist in a world-famous Philharmonic Orchestra, whose name I won't mention) tell me that my sound was too bright. Does that necessarily mean I can't get into a top orchestra with the sound I have right now? I don't think so. I am determined to prove people who answered "no" to that previous question within several years, when I go into my mid/late 20s. In fact, I was at the NAfME All National Honor Band 2 years ago, and Dr. Eugene Corporon, the director of our band, told me to play the solo along with the principal player because he explicitly said "you have such a fabulous sound. Your tone is amazing." He even told the first chair to match my sound. Opinions differ: if your sound isn't extremely bright or extremely dark, you will always find someone who likes your sound.
-- Ray Zhang
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The Clarinet BBoard
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