 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris
Date: 2002-06-16 23:34
Hi.
I can't tell the difference between the tones of professionals, especially with recordings. I can't tell the diff between a typical tone, a good tone, and a GREAT tone. I can only tell what's really, really bad.
I've often been told that I have a wonderful clarinet tone. I have no idea why though. I got into Eastman and NEC because I had a "stunningly beautiful tone" even though my technique is horrible. Seriously, HORRIBLE. I can <i> barely</i> play Baerman III. barely. And the fastest i can tongue is sixteenth notes with the metronome at 80.
I have a friend that, in my opinion, has a beautiful tone. But on my All-State audition, i scored so much higher than him. and i have no idea why!
Is there something wrong with me? How can I fix this problem? Should I listen to more recordings or something?
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-06-16 23:58
Maybe you should practice more technical stuff so that you'll be up to speed on that stuff. That would be my advice, anyway, so your technique can match your sound.
Perception of tone is ENTIRELY subjective anyway. What do YOU think about your own tone, from both listening while you play and listening to recordings you make of yourself?
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Author: Synonymous Botch....
Date: 2002-06-17 01:27
If you were amongst the very few to get a position that could lead to professional playing... you are doing something RIGHT.
It is my biased opinion that the capable players in most fields that have an over-abundance of confidence are the most successful.
If the selection committee believes in you, it's because they see strong fundamentals and potential to improve.
I would recommend you allow someone else to become your critic.
Don't you play better with your head UP, anyway?
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Author: David Pegel
Date: 2002-06-17 02:04
SB... good last line. But you must also remember that if you have it too far up it chokes your air flow.
Chris, I don't really know what to say about telling different tones apart, because I used to have that problem myself. IMHO, tone perception comes naturally to some more than others, like perfect pitch.
I can, however, say that I can hear my tone better and also tell what else is good/great/okay/bad tone under different hearing conditions. When I'm judging tone, I try to listen to the person playing, whether it's a friend or myself, in a room with a lot of resonance. If I can hear a slight echo, it helps me judge tone better because I'm picking up more waves, I guess. Sometimes wearing earplugs helps me hear how well the sound carries across a room (Which seems to play a big role in someone's tone, at least from what I've seen or heard.)
Like Kat said, tone is really a matter of perspective. If you want to imitate an oboe or a saxophone, your perception of tone will change considerably. I mean CONSIDERABLY. Your perception of tone even changes between songs: Do you want depth, brightness, sharpness, or a good squeak?
It's all in your point of view. The only advice I really have, to sum up my gibberish, is to listen and experiment with your surroundings. But remember, people must say you have great tone for a reason, so at least you have something to depend on as truth!
Daivd Pegel
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-06-17 03:55
Chris, if you indeed have a beautiful tone as you've been told, then you already possess and apply the right concepts, you temporarily only know the "what" but not yet the "how and why". I believe part of the answer to your issue lies within your own playing...that is you already have "yourself" to listen/compare as a measuring tool. Countless amateurs/professionals routinely record/study/analyze themselves to improve all aspects of their playing. There's myriad schools of thought and methodology on what a fundamentally proper clarinet tone should be and how its gotten. To my ear, a great tone (whether I personally like it or not) be it laser, bright, neutral, subdued, dark or liquid has at least two basic qualities working together. 1) A pitch center or distinguishable "core" to the sound. 2) An identifiable resonance or "life" to that sound.
You know your own sound more than anyone else. If you haven't yet, listen to your own recordings and compare them to other players' recordings...those you like and dislike. Listen to yourself live and compare to others playing live. In other words, when you critique, compare live to live and recording to recording...don't mix the two. If you don't have your own recordings and still are going to Eastman may I suggest arranging for a private recording session in the school studio and take advantage of the pro equipment. Play an etude/portion of a solo you've been complimented on or know you sound good on. Select music that covers as many fundamentals as possible to maximize your effort. Study it and listen for the "same and differing" characteristics as other players. If you can't secure the studio and take private lessons, bring along a boom box and tape it, or start taping your own practice sessions. Begin a personal audio archive for reference. You probably have a wealth of fine clarinet pickers/teachers at your disposal if going to Eastman, ask, listen, ask more, listen more. The more you listen, the more you'll hear the subtlety and nuisances of a great clarinet tone...it's inevitable. v/r KEN
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Author: Jabber
Date: 2002-06-17 06:14
My only question is "To where are you going next year?" Eastman? NEC? or where?
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Author: William
Date: 2002-06-17 14:46
With all of the above good advice, all I have to add is the old rule that goes, "Analysis is Paralysis." Some people worry so much about what the right thing to do is, that they consequently never do anything at all. Perhaps you should try adopt the philosophy of the symbol on your running shoes, "Just Do It." As you play, think only of the music and how best to phrase it. Get your mind off of every other little (probably insignicant) detail in your own playing--no one's performance is ever perfect. Who sang, "Don't worry, be happy" was right on!!!!
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Author: Kim L.
Date: 2002-06-17 14:54
"Analysis paralysis" is exactly what my conducting professor told my conducting class. The more you go into a given situation that you are "afraid" of, the less likely you are to succeed in it. So have faith in it and you will be the very best that you can be!
Kim L.
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2002-06-17 21:27
Chris,
I think that most people focus so much on technique in the early stage of playing that tone becomes accessory. Also getting a noce tone is much more personal and difficult than playing scales fast.
If you want to improve your awareness, there is 2 things to do.
1- Listen to lots of music. Take one piece and get a hold of as many recordings as you can of this specific piece. For example brahms sonatas played by stolzman vs wright.
2- Experiment with your own sound. Go to a music store, try a few mouthpieces, ligatures, try to describe in words the differences in feel and sound. Also, when you practice, spend a couple minutes on trying to achieve particular colors. A bright sound, a dark sound, a reedy sound, a compact sound, an airy sound...
3- If you can record yourself.
Good luck and don't worry so much. If you got in NEC and Eastman you have potential. Practice hard and believe in yourself.
-S
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Author: DLE
Date: 2002-06-25 23:08
Um. I think we're overlooking something here. My 'beautiful' tone came about by getting the right clarinet and the right mouthpiece, later - after having concentrated on technique for years. It had absolutely nothing to do with studying, or listening to recordings, 'cause in my mind I always knew how clear my clarinet should sound anyway. Tone works hand in hand with projection and accoustics I find.
Maybe the judges were impressed with Chris' natural ability in producing a tone that carried across the room - a lot of clarinettists seem to have this, a lot of them don't. Mine took time to grow(Around 8 years actually), and then the right clarinet. Depending on Chris' circumstances, the judges may have thought Chris already had the natural ability to play the clarinet. Remember - technique can be taught, nature just IS or it ISN'T. I think this may be where the answer to 'why?' in reference to the judges, lies.
Keep clarineting Chris, and be confident. Obviously they saw something in you otherwise you wouldn't have got through.
Regards.
DLE.
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