 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jenn
Date: 2001-08-20 17:14
I'm a beginner, and just wondering how you can produce shaky sounds in clarinet?
By shaky sounds, I mean the "vibrating tone" that makes the music sounds better.
Hope you understand what I mean, and if there is a word that describe this sound , please let me know.
Jenn.
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Author: dylan
Date: 2001-08-20 17:29
There are two ways. Each clarinetist can produce virbrato differently depending on his/her style, but mainly you can either use your lower lip, your air stream, or your fingers to make virbrato. When using your fingers, just wave them up and down over the keys (but withut actually plugging the holes in the clarinet). This waving motion (going from out above the clarinet to in closer to the keys, and back and forth) will then produce a nice, rich sound with virbrato. Be carefull when you use your lip for virbrato, because it is very easy to get carried away, and "bend" the notes too much (like a half step), thereby producing what I call the "sick cow" phenomenon. You might also want to cyheck out some recordings by Reginald Kell, the great British clarinetist who, as the principal clarinetist in the Royal Philharmonic under Beecham in the 1930's revolutionized the use of virbrato. His recordings of the Mozart Concerto are the best I've ever heard. -Dylan
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Author: Jerry McD.
Date: 2001-08-20 17:38
Jenn,
What you are talking about is vibrato. I'm assuming you are talking about like what singers, flute players, and string players use. When playing the clarinet we generally do not use vibrato. It is not necessary because of the lush beautiful sound that can be produced without it. Now that does not mean that there are not places in music that vibrato can be used, however this is more common in Europe than the US. I would recommend that you work on producing the best possible sound you can without trying to use vibrato. Make sure you have a decent mouthpiece and reed setup and play long tones until you can't play anymore! This is a great exercise to strengthen you embouchure which will enhance your ability to create this beautiful sound. IMHO using vibrato takes away from rather than enhancing the sound. It is imperative that you have the core sound FIRST! Good luck!
Jerry McD.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-08-21 05:07
Jenn -
I don't know any players who use vibrato in ensemble playing. It doesn't seem to be quite suitable for that.
I never think about any more it when playing solo, it just sort of 'comes natural' but, since you asked, I tried to figure out how to explain to someone (you how I do a vibrato. I move my jaw(bone) ever so slightly without changing embouchure. I can't wiggle my lower lip to do it, never could, never tried, never... : Nope. I can't do it that way.
I think the 'correct' way it to move your jaw just a tiny bit so that you get about four pluses per beat, four vibratos per quarter note. I can do it, too, by breath control but that's really tiring - to me anyway it's exhausting right away. I only tried it so I could write about it here. Ughhh. I prefer playing to be fun - not hard work :] Wiggling fingers might work over the open holes but I don't know anyone who does it that way.
I'm not by any means saying the other methods mentioned *won't* work. They just don't work for me.
Happy vibrato-ing, Jenn :]
- ron b -
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-08-21 05:13
Opps - I meant that last paragraph to say 'pulses', not pluses per beat. Also, I don't know many players who use vibrato *often* in ensemble playing. There are exceptions to everything musical. We all know that (of course) :]
- ron b -
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Author: Dan
Date: 2001-08-21 07:21
I agree with Ron. I used to the Sax for years, and I rarely use vibrato in ensemble playing. I would use it in solo, and more jazz style of playing.
Now, when i play solo, I would throw in a little vibrato to some longer notes, or to end some pieces. But NEVER overdo it!.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2001-08-21 16:32
I played saxes, too, Dan. Not great, but not awful :] I can't stand (for long) a sax without vibrato. My opinion is that it loses its character without vibrato, at least some. In fact I think it's the other way 'round for saxes than for clarinets - it would be the exception not use vibrato. Saxes use straight tones sparingly (for effect) while clarinets use vibrato sparingly. In either situation, it seems to me, a little goes a long way.
Is any of this helpful to you so far, Jenn ?
- ron b -
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2001-08-23 00:00
When I use vibrato, which isn't that often, I clench my diaphragm more than I usually do, and sort of half-hyperventilate through my nose (i.e. don't inhale, but flex your diaphragm in such a way that the air in your nose moves quickly. It's hard to explain.)
I guess I'm not like most people.
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Author: Azzacca
Date: 2001-08-23 15:21
I have trouble not making a vibrato, but I think that's more of my embouchure being weak still.
Cheryl -- relearning after all these years.
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