 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: shawn
Date: 2002-11-29 03:19
Hello everyone!
Does anyone have any tips on how to produce a vibrato on the clarinet?
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-11-29 12:12
You may wish to look over to the SOTW (Sax on the Web) site for some long standing threads on the subject.
In short, you hold a firm embouchure and 'rock' the lower jaw slightly to get a different point of flexure in the reed.
A 'chewing' motion may produce similar results with less control.
If it helps with the position, think of the scene in ET where Eliot and ET separate (or if you're older) old Yeller *gasp* (quiver).
Just don't expect anyone around you to appreciate your initial efforts, it will take MONTHS to have a smooth, unobtrusive vibrato.
If used all the time, it can be smarmy.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-11-29 14:34
One of our local old beloved jazz clarinetists, who played one an Albert system clarinet made from a variety of different brand name components--surprisingly, his intonation was impeccable--used to produce his "jazz" vibrato by shaking his right hand. He "specialty" was a hilarious rendition of "Goofus" which he both played and sang (usually for a $20 tip). IMNSHO, he was as good a jazz clarinetist (NO style) as there ever was. Earl "Smitty" Smith--the Earl of Madison, WI (RIP)
But the point is, his vibrato method (Hand shake) was rather unique, but nonetheless, quite effective for jazz. However, most clarinetists and sax artists produce their vibrato with their embouchures. Just move your jaw (slightly) down and up. You will notice the bending of the tone--done uniformly and relentlessly, it results in vibrato. Enjoy!!!! (good taste is another issue)
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Author: quivering
Date: 2002-11-29 14:37
Vibrato is not a simple either ON or OFF playing procedure. Or at least, it shouldn't be.
Do a search here on vibrato and see the many ways that people will tell you how to produce vibrato on the clarinet. There are different types of vibrato and produced in different manners (lip, jaw, throat, diaphragm, etc.) and combinations of these.
After all that reading, then ask your teacher to discuss it with you, try out the different ways, and see if it an appropriate thing for you at this time.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-11-29 19:12
As a teenager, I played some clarinet solos with piano in a mental institution. A person in the audience told me that I had a nice vibrato on my sound. It came from an involuntary shaking I had. It has never come back.
The jaw vibrato is basic for the clarinet and saxophone but one should also learn the diaphragm or throat vibrato as used by flute, ooe, and bassoon players. Good luck!
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-11-29 23:31
If you are a young band student your director may not appreciate your attempts at vibrato
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Author: Bill
Date: 2002-11-30 00:13
Bob raises an interesting point about the band director. My High School director (a clarinet man) asked me what I was doing. He was more concerned that I produced a clear, even tone.
As far as how to get the vibrato effect, ask friends who sing.
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Author: d dow
Date: 2002-11-30 21:25
Vibrato is a topic of great controversy among many clarinetists. For many this area of technique is quite hard to learn or do. As a former student of Harold Wright he was able to play with and without vibrato. His vibrato was quite small and did not affect musical line whatsoever. A larger vibrato and a wide vibrato has a tendency to sound somewhat jazzy and in excess can sound pretty hoaky...the general advice I have is if you have a good tone and are trying to learn vibrato try by making sure the air column remains very steady...in some instances vibrato can lower pitch a great deal through the opening of the larynx and lower cavities of the throat...
As for me it seems I have dropped vibrato as of late and play with a straight tone...unless of course Gershwin or pops material is in front of me. Even then I tend to be disconcerted when people expect a jazz sound when I am classically trained, and some musical material sounds quite nice when played "straight". As for Beethoven and Brahms I discourage students from vibrato in this reptiore and feel that it can make already emotional music become tacky or banal.
In the local orchestra I am in a conductor recently asked me if I played with vibrato...I shrugged and said Yes but in Beethoven 3 really felt in rehearsal it wasn't time to experiment too much. Instead I soon found out he too was a Harold Wright student as well and we soon had some stories to share about...
Players like Marcellus and Leister felt vibrato was something that detracted from the musical line. As for Harold Wright his vibrato just made incredible musical sense....and he did tend to turn it off at times as well....
One thing, as a student if your vibrato hurts or ruins pitch I would discourage it.....
From a classical orchestral player,
Sincerely
David Dow
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