 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Daniel
Date: 2002-01-26 03:10
I am trying to learn the opening solo to Rhapsody in Blue. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to play that glissando smoothly?
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Author: Kim
Date: 2002-01-26 03:55
Well, one thing that you can do to get over the inevitable "hump" is to make sure that you keep pushing enough air through. I think that a lot of players have trouble because they back off/get too cautious exactly when they should be 'going for it.'
I also like to practice the gliss in smaller sections (RH only, LH only) before trying to tackle the whole thing - that helps a bit, too.
Happy wailing!
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Author: Keil
Date: 2002-01-26 08:16
I strongly urge that you do a search under the word "smear", " glissando", or even "rhapsody in blue". This topic has been discussed QUITE extensively. Enjoy!
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Author: Kirk
Date: 2002-01-26 13:22
I agree with Keil and have done just that. I found LOTS of great "tricks of the trade" that helped me to gliss better than I thought I could. I have also done as Kim suggested of doing it in sections is a great way to get it in stride.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-01-26 15:57
Larry Combs, Principal Clarinetist with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra, demonstrated the opening glissando in a clinic at IMS last year. He described it (and played it) as a fast diatonic G major scale (sloppy, jazz style) from low G to middle B, and then a smooth gliss from there up to the high C. His comment, "That's all it is!." I've always heard that Benny Goodman, as well as the clarinetist who first played this solo (and stuck the rest of us with it because Gershwin, at the piano, liked it) could do a smooth unbroken gliss all the way--from low G to high C. But the "diatonic" method that Mr Combs suggested, is very effective, sounds jazzy and is quite playable by all--expecially those legit classical clarinets who have never developed any jazz skills and "all of a sudden" have to do it. BTW--Larry Combs is, I have heard, an excellant "closet" jazz clarinetist. Good Glissandoing and Clarineting!!!!!!!!
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Author: allencole
Date: 2002-01-27 02:37
I've heard that Chuck West at VCU can slide through his chalameau register and maybe he'll speak up if he frequents this board. I have great difficulty because it appears that sliding fingers have to be carefully sequenced.
Once you're in the clarion register, you can smooth slide up even into the altissimo register because so much involves your throat and embouchure.
It would be nice to hear from anyone who does it successfully in the chalameau register.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2002-01-27 07:07
I can vouch that Dr. West can do the smear as described by allencole.
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