 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: C@p
Date: 2002-06-12 21:35
After two and a half years back after a 35 year layoff, I am playing with better tone than I ever had before. Others have told me of the improvement, too.
But when I hear others play, I hear a depth of tone that makes me not so exuberant about my progress. I figure it might mean I just have to play more often with long tones, etc.
But I wonder if part of the lack of tone quality I hear from my own playing is in whole or in part from the fact that I am 180 degrees from the bell where I would think most of the sound comes out.
Any thoughts to share?
C@p
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-06-13 00:29
Play into a corner of a room so that the defracted (reflected) sound can get to your ears a little better. Still, the vibration of the reed through the muscles and bone will disguise your tone somewhat. How about recording yourself?
jbutler
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-06-13 01:33
Most of the sound comes out the tone holes, not the bell (which in the case of a clarinet is just a very special tone hole for the "long" notes).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ron b
Date: 2002-06-13 05:22
Discussion about bell position has gone on for probably since the first clarinet was built. Some say yes, some disagree but I've never been able to tell the difference, no matter how many times I twist it around :]
It's physically impossible to hear ourselves the same as others hear us. This is as true for playing a woodwind instrument as it is with our voices. John's advice, to record yourself, is worth repeating. Try it, if at all possible. You may be pleasantly surprised
A question comes immediately to my mind... I gotta ask this - Who in the world remembers what you sounded like thirty-five (plus) years ago and can make a comparison to your present sound??? Man, that's got me wondering what kinda company you keep, C&p... elephants ?
Seriously though... glad you're back playing again. I'm sure your friends enjoy hearing you too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-06-13 11:16
Make sure you use a decent mike. A poor mike, or low aquality recorder even, makes a clarinet sound gross!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-13 13:26
C@p.."after a 35 year layoff, I am playing with better tone than I ever had before. "
I've had almost the same experience. In addition, I note that my sound can vary..meaning my interpretation of my sound...on some days. Practicing in the same room and controlling the instrument variables I've come to the concludion that it's the reed. A reed that's too soft or is close to it's end of life plays havoc with my sound.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2002-06-13 15:08
Have you ever been surprised at the sound of your own voice after recording your answering machine message?? You will experiance the same amazment at the sound of your recorded clarinet. That is also why you see so many professional singers using "monitor" speakers and ear plugs--to hear how they really sound "out front." Because we hear our own sounds not only through our ears, but also through our own bone and connective tissues, it is because of that "natural interference" that it is impossible to hear ourselves as others do. So, use a good mike and make a recording--senza any special effects (reverb, etc)--and be amazed. Most all of us sound better than we think we do. However, if your recorded efforts sound worse than you thought they would, then your problem is not with your embouchre or equipement, but rather with your mental concept of what "good" is.
BYW--after experimenting with the position of my bells, I find that there is one position that vastly improves the sound of at least the long B/E tones, expecially on my A clarinets. Not much help for the bass, however................... :>}
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-06-13 16:15
If the bell placement effects the long fingers tone B/E,C/F,D/G,
it may be the matching of the connection geometries as a reamered barrel has a good matching with the mating mouthpiece. Partial irregular turbulence would do something wrong.
The most surest thing way to avoid these bad effects may be to use a one block clarinet like Rossi.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: C@p
Date: 2002-06-14 02:38
RonB
You ask: "Who in the world remembers what you sounded like thirty-five (plus) years ago and can make a comparison to your present sound??? "
First of all you have to live that long and I got that done (but it took a long time).
Your observation is well taken. When I purchased the horn I went back and forth between instruments as quickly as I could so I could hear whatever I could hear and while others would give me their input as to what seemed to be the best sound from an audience point of view (or listening). I had to go back and forth severeal times becuase it was hard to remember what happened a few seconds ago much less than a 35 year pause.
When I started back up I had a sound that I heard and as I practiced more and changed the mouthpiece, I heard a better sound compared to the restart time. When I got the Buffet Vintage the sound seem to take on a unique type of sound with one barrel that might be best for ballads and a less of that sound with the other barrel but without the richness of the first barrel. The tone was more focused in almost all of the notes, D4 being the most stuffy and Eb5 being the richest and unique sound on the horn.
But I never seemed to sound as full as others and that is what prompted my question. However, I have had compliments on my short solo's with the concert band. I just wish I could hear what they heard. I'll look into getting or borrowing good recording equipment as suggested.
Along the same lines as not being able to hear oneself as others do, I am reminded of a story and if you have heard of this story, please don't stop me because I want to hear (or read) it again.
The symphony had 5 french horn players and only 4 would play on the concert nights while the other had a day off which they usuall spent with their families, went to a movie or to wherever.
One day the french horn player with the bye night decided to sit in the audience. At intermission he ran backstage very excited. He said: "Hey, when we play da-da-da-da-da-da-da-da over and over again on the same note, do you know what the rest of the guys are playing? Da-dee-de-da-da, Da-de-da-de-da. (That's from Carmen in case you can't read da-de-da-da music.)
But I digress.
Thanks all for the responses.
C@p
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
