 The Ethnic Clarinet
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-11-04 21:07
Thanks to Mark, and the help of Bill and Bob, there is now a place for the discussion of klezmer and Jewish music. Best of all, it's right here on Sneezy! First of all, I'd like it to be known that any questions, comments or suggestions you wish to post on this BB are welcome. You need not be a clarinetist, or klezmer musician, everyone is welcome. I only have a few requests. I ask that you respect the feelings of others, and do not post advertisements. I also ask that if you wish to post general clarinet questions, please do so on the clarinet BB. This BB is not meant to take discussion away from the clarinet BB. Other than that, lets see if we can get some conversation going. :-) -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2000-11-05 00:07
First of all, Nate, Mak, Bill, Bob--Thank Y'all for your efforts.
Nate, let me be the first to display my ignorance. I can't find much here in my part of Iowa about the Klezmer structure, music, tradition, etc. As I mentioned, the clarinet passages in "The Fiddler...." really made me want more. How much do we need to know to get up to speed at this early stage?
Bob A
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-11-05 02:29
Bob, just as with the Clarinet BB, there are people at different levels of knowledge and ability. We don't really need to be up to speed on things, we know what we know, and go from there. I'll try to give a basic explanation. First of all, the music from Fiddler could be put in the genre of klezmer. The music of Fiddler can be played rather straight, or with alot of ornamentation and style. In a way it is like jazz. If one were to play jazz in a totally straigh and "standard" fashion, it wouldn't be the same. Klezmer is the same in this aspect. Sure, you've got the scales and modes, but the style is what gives the music its character. As far as the tradition (no, not the song from Fiddler) goes, back to Eastern Europe, and even farther back, the Middle East. One of the oldest types of klezmer, is the Chassidic style, which is very Hebrew sounding in nature. Klezmer traces its roots back to this old Hebrew music. By today's standards, this music sound minor and Eastern. The Jews that settled outside of Israel, Eastern Europe in particular, brought their traditions with them. Over time, cultural aspects of the peoples in the area in which they settled became somewhat incorperated into their own. An example of this would be Ukrainian and Romanian influences on klezmer. In this period of time, the music would vary slightly depending on where you were. Each area had a slightly different style. It is at this stage in which Fiddler is set. The most recent, and so far one of the shortest stages is the introduction of klezmer to America. With immigration came other cultures. At first the European tradition of klezmer was kept, but with the advent of the big band era and popular music things began to change for klezmer, and other folk music. Rather than the traditional Chassidic sounding music, musicians beginning to play things that were more upbeat, and using more of the energetic Bulgarian rhythms. Less and less did the audience ask to hear a soulfull doina or freylekh, they wanted music that would compare with that of the big bands. All in all, these changes throughout history are not huge, but they have molded klezmer into what it is today. Klezmer can best be described as Jewish dance music, although there are some slower pieces such as doinas, that cannot really be danced to. One of the unique things about klezmer, is the ability to portray several emotions, all at the same time. One of the things that has particularly drawn me to klezmer clarinet is this expressiveness. Along with classical expressive techniques, krekhtsn and dreydlekh are also used. Dreydlekh are literally turns, or more complex trills, similar to those used in Sligo fiddling. For the most part, these go back to the Chassidic style of music. The others, krekhtsn, are the bending of notes - making the clarinet sing, laugh, cry, moan, and sob. It is mostly because of these that the sound of klezmer clarinet is so distinct and unmistakable. I could go on if you wish, but for now, I've just tried to give a basic explanation of things. If you have more specific questions questions you'd like to ask, it may be easier than trying to sum up everything at once. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to post them. That's what the board is here for. The name Klezmorim Forum may suggest that it is a forum for only serious klezmer musicians, but that is not at all the case. Also, lack of knowledge by no means makes someone ignorant. An ignorant person is one who does not know, doesn't ask, and couldn't really care less. As long as you have the interest, and a little music ability you can begin and learn to play klezmer. If you can play an instrument, I don't think you need to worry to much about the musical ability part. I do realize that in most all of Iowa, the opportunity for leaning about klezmer and how to play klezmer is limited, but hopefully this BB can help compensate for that. Just out of curiosity what part of Iowa are you from? I do know of at least one good teacher that knows klezmer in Iowa. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Gary Truesdail
Date: 2000-11-05 02:55
Just how much can I play with the major clarinet lead the big dance scene in "Fiddler" and get away with, and not go overboard?
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-11-05 03:24
Gary, are you performing this in Fiddler? My suggestion would be to go with your best judgement, and it may depend on the other musicians and the conductor, as well. Unless told to do otherwise, I would go with as much style as seems appropriate. One of the best things you can do if you're not sure is to find a recording of it with the clarinet playing in good klezmer style. You can learn so much more about the style from a recording than you can reading about it. Perhaps if you could describe your situation in more detail, I could provide some better suggestions. I am assuming that you are playing it with the full orchestra, but perhaps I am wrong. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2000-11-05 18:31
Nate,
Emmetsburg--26 miles from Estherville/Spencer/Algona all opposite compass points. 69 from Fort Dodge.
Bob
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Author: Nate Zeien
Date: 2000-11-06 04:35
I had to check, as I knew I had a concert this next Sunday, but I couldn't remember whether it was in Emmetsburg or Estherville. I checked, and it turns out that it is Estherville. Too bad really, as it would have been an interesting coincidence if I were to play a concert in your hometown. Oh well, maybe we'll play at Emmetsburg sometime. -- Nate Zeien
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2000-11-27 18:02
Nate, darn it! I missed your post and had I known I could have been there for the concert. Please send me your e-mail addresss as there is a subject I would like to take off the net. Thanks,
Bob
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Author: DLE
Date: 2001-01-11 11:12
As I understand, from my very limited knowledge - Klezmer music comes from Jewish tradition, played at Weddings, Mitzvahs, etc...
I also understand that a violinist - Itzhak Perlman, appeared on the David Letterman show on the other side of the Atlantic in 1996 with a few others, and the crowd went mad for it.
Now, this all came from me researching the topic - I have never heard the Klezmorim in my life. Apart from the obvious traditional importance, and the clarinet of couse, what's the attraction?
DLE.
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The Clarinet Pages
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