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Re: projection vs loud

Author: jhoyla
Date: 2009-07-13 14:51

Elizabeth, your descriptions are wonderful. Thank you!

I would like to add a few thoughts about "color".

Imagine looking at a field of tall green grass, swaying in the wind. You are a small animal, and you wish to be unnoticed? That is easy - either duck beneath the level of the grass (be quieter), or paint yourself green and sway with the grass (blend). Either way, you are undetectable.

Now you wish to be noticed. There are three things you can do: You can sway against the motion of the grass (different notes) - the different motion will be visible. You can stand taller than the grass (be louder), or you can paint yourself orange (color). Any of these things will make you stand out.

So - how do you color your playing?

I would say that the oboe sound is already orange! Making my sound stand out and penetrate the orchestra is almost never a problem - quite the opposite. Blending beautifully is far more difficult.

However, if I wish to draw even more attention to myself I can vary my tone, increase the speed or depth of my vibrato, or create a long, flowing phrase that draws the ear of the listener. I can emphasize all of the musical directions in the score with anticipation and interpretation, e.g. subito piano by swelling just prior to the piano section. etc. etc. All these things will paint me bright orange and let me sway against the motion of the grass ...

Hope this helps,
J.

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