 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-12-23 00:22
This may sound strange, but, I notice with different players, that the more mature ones sound more mature. Jack Brymer, for example, has such a relaxed sound, while Sabine Meyer is so energetic and young. Is this just me, or is age really a factor in one's general energy in playing the clarinet?
It's been commented that sometimes my playing can get a little 'wild', and I feel this may be because I am so young, and will iron out as I mature (and consequently my sound will too). Does this sound like logic or complete utter nonsense to you guys? I believe it's true, but tell me what you think and what your experience is.
Thanks in advance again guys! =]
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-12-23 02:12
Morrigan enquires: "Is this just me, or is age really a factor in one's general energy in
playing the clarinet? "
JMcAulay responds: perhaps not "general energy," but certainly attitude. MOO. This question should elicit some interesting responses.
Regards,
John
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-12-23 02:15
Jack can be playful, too.
Sabine's recordings that get airplay (the Stamitz #3 seems to be a local DJ favorite) are the lighter fare. She has recorded some brooding pieces as well, but the radio has fixated on the breezy.
Transcendent musicians make an emotional connection with their audience, regardless of source material.
Buddy Wright was that sort of clarinetist, Cal Tjader could do the same with a pair of Vibe mallets.
Range is a matter of experience and empathy... you need not suffer to play in a melancholy air.
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Author: susannah
Date: 2002-12-23 04:00
i think it is fairly clear that a persons experiences in life will influence their playing. However, i feel that this does not come out through the tone, as much as through phrasing and musicality.
The persons age in years is not easily relatable to their life experiences, except to say they have probably had more of them.
This means that an older player may have more 'ideas' of how they are going to play the music. Also, an older player has most probably spent more time playing the instrument, giving them greater control and flexibility.
IMO, the exception to this is Sabine Meyer, who is already pretty much perfect!!
Morrigan- don't sit around and wait until you become older for your tone and musicianship to become 'mature'. 'Mature' is in any case is very hard to define, and its not bad to have fun, and enjoy the music! (Congrats on getting into uni, are you going to VCA or Melbourne con?)
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Author: Heidi
Date: 2002-12-23 04:49
Hi Morrigan!
I've read alot of your postings and have enjoyed your questions and input.
As to maturity...I would have to agree with Susannah. I have noticed in my own playing throughout college that my feel for it has improved. I guess I would classify myself as a wild player now and before now..but I'm slowly calming down..and it's pretty cool. I can literally hear and feel myself slowing down enough to be accurate and that's a cool thing.
Good luck with it...think "slow fingers" and you'll be able to play better than ever!:)
Heidi
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-12-23 12:07
Thanks Heidi! That's exactly the attitude that I have been going through with my teacher. I've also noticed that when my personal life calms down, so does my playing. I have a very emotional response to music, as I write a lot of music too. I guess the goal is to keep things calm and controlled, have an ordely mind, as my teacher so wisely puts it.
Susannah -
I've just spent this year at the conservatorium, and HATED it! I didn't get into the VCA last year (after going to the secondary school for 2 years), but this time, I worked my ass off, learned a LOT from all you guys here, and got in (THANKS EVERYONE!). I look forward to playing in VCA orchestra and ensembles with AussieNick, who also got into 2nd year (I'm just starting from 1st again, phew!).
And no, I'm not going to wait around to 'become mature', I'm going to enjoy my youth, as well as exploit it for all it's worth with music!
JMcAulay
I'm looking forward to the responses too...!
=]
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2002-12-23 13:55
I think tone says alot more about individual personality than it does about maturity. I know players with similar levels of maturity, but with completely different sounds. Some are more conservative, others more extreme and 'wild'? I guess I am the opposite of you Morrigan in that I am usually (not always) more towards the other end of the spectrum...not quite so wild.
By the way, Susannah, I don't mean to be blunt but I've always wondered who you are I've just finished my 2nd year at the Qld Conservatorium with Paul Dean and decided instead of going into 3rd year and only have 1 year at the VCA, I would repeat 2nd year and get more out of it. I'm in no hurry to get out into that big harsh dangerous world :P
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2002-12-23 20:53
I questioned David Shifrin about a similar issue about three years ago. I asked him if he could describe the differences between the way he had performed the Mozart concerto twenty years ago and the way he interprets it today. In a nutshell, he said that of course it was different, and perhaps he had heard something in a Mozart aria, or another piece of music, etc. that stuck out and he incorporated that into his playing. I think the same concept can be used with your question. I agree with some of the early posts that account for experience as a way playing matures. From the time I first entered college until now(my last semester), I have listened to thousands of recordings. I am sure that this, along with all the experiences musically I have had, and personal experiences as well, has helped shape the player I am today.
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-12-24 02:11
OK, more discoveries on the 'mature' thing.
I just bought the Michael Collins recording of the Mozart Concerto and Beethoven Concerto for Clarinet (Violin) and Orchestra, D maj.
I've just forwarded through the second movement of the Mozart... Because basically I can't stand his sound.
Don't ask me what it is, it's just annoying and flat (not speaking about pitch here), and I don't like how his sound is full of 'gaps'. What I mean to say is, he doesn't play as generally legato as I'm used to, and I find his tone to be edging on 'cute', as opposed to the 'serious' American or German sound I'm very much used to. The bassett range sounds strange; I feel as though he is exploiting the fact that he's playing on one, like it's some kind of novelty.
All my own opinion, which I'm sure could change.
There are things I like in his playing, but not as much as, say, Sabine Meyer, Larry Combs (Very different players, but I like different things about each).
Something like this brings me closer to what I want to sound like and what I don't want to sound like. The puzzle gets a little easier each day!
PS. The Oboes in the opening of the Beethoven are fantastic! And Beethoven... Well, what a genius. I'm lucky to have studied his Pathetique Sonata last year, as well as taking a little look into the C minor symphony (who doesn't???)
PPS. I'm impressed by the Clarinet version of the Beethoven. I can't help but find it slightly comical, if anything!
=]
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2002-12-24 08:10
"Because basically I can't stand his sound."
Oh well he must be doing something right to get to where he is. I don't really see it necessary for anyone to say they "can't stand" someone elses sound. I'd much rather say "it suits the person" or "I prefer such and such" but maybe thats just me? I think if Michael Collins is happy with how he sounds, thats all that should matter
What is this about gaps in the sound anyway?
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2002-12-24 11:10
Sorry Nick.
I basically meant that me, myself, personally, I do not like his sound.
Anyway, take it how you will.
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2002-12-24 11:41
i am in a real hurry and can add little.....
you guys are lucky to study with Mr Dean, a great player and great tone.
ummmmmm Sabine Meyer, while being quite beautiful and certainly in many ways definately "youthful" is actually not that young.... and how old was Mr Brymer when he recorded the Mozart with Beecham???
i have strong ideas about Mr Collins and am not a fan of his reccent Mozart recording.... but on the other hand a colleague of mine returned from the UK with DAT tapes of his recording session (as the conductor) of the LSO.... Herr Collins was the first clarinet and sounded fabulous... really great.
hmmmm
id like to write more but people are telling me ive got to go
have a good xmas
doandl
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Author: Jaymz
Date: 2002-12-24 14:33
well i'm only 15 and my teacher notices the difference in tone differencial between me and the other players, i think it's the people (from a high school leval) who practice alot and the people who dont...i happen to one who doesnt but takes private lessons, my teacher (steve bentley) says that your more mature than anyone else in the whole section and thats why i'm supposedly the best too bad i'm the first chair of the 3rds *darn* oh well i think experiance and understanding of the music as well...but this is comming from a 15 year old
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