Author: NBeaty
Date: 2019-12-19 18:54
"Igalkov: I agree that other clarinetists' opinion(s) is not the only thing that counts. What do the flautist, oboist, bassoonis, cellist, etc. of your orchestra think? That should count just as much if not more. And as you said, ultimately what does the audience think? People that play the same instrument as we do are so specialized they sometimes lose the big picture."
Absolutely! There is so much fear and seemingly paranoia in the clarinet community about sounding "bright", in addition to players just following the equipment choices of particular players.
"it mixes with the section as a charm, although it has a completely different tone, shape and color. I play it both principal and second clarinet and I've got a complements to my tone from other musicians not-clarinetists, what is unusual story. But clarinetists say, yes, that I play too bright and I need a stronger reed and all that stuff. Who cares? I really don't, cause section sounds and blends really great. I play not for two people with wrong attitude next to me but for the hundreds in the hall."
It has been my experience that what clarinetists refer to as "bright" comes across as resonant, brilliant, full, and colorful to other musicians and audience members. Certainly, clarinetists seem to be the only ones who fear a vibrant and responsive reed. Behn Rod Rubber mouthpieces, such as the Epic or previously the Vintage designs, are better than almost any vintage Chedeville blank. They accept a vibrant and fully responsive reed and allow the player to access a more vibrant or brilliant sound or a mellower one at a moment's notice.
When the player feels comfortable with the setup, doesn't have to add jaw pressure to make the setup work, and embraces a full and resonant sound they will find they have flexibility to access a variety of beautiful sounds for any given situation.
Personally, I feel that the word "bright" shouldn't be a bad word in the clarinet community. For too long it's been one of the most offensive words you can use to describe someone's sound, as if it's a synonym for "shrill". It seems that players will run away from a brilliant and vibrant tone because it's been conflated with being "shrill".
While I don't want to start yet another discussion of whether the word "dark" is positive or negative, I would say that what people often describe as dark is actually a sound that has DEPTH. There's definitely no reason why a vibrant, bright, and brilliant sound can't have access to the depth and color of a full and flexible sound. Certainly, I would argue that a vibrant and resonant reed allows the player increased and easier access to ALL parts of the sound.
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