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Re: Pitch and dynamics

Author: GMac
Date: 2005-10-15 00:29

Unfortunately, it's very hard to say! It depends on a few things, for example...

Crescendos

- Some people will tend to go flat because they really relax the embouchure to let the reed vibrate as much as possible as they blow harder
- Some people tend to go sharp because they blow much more without loosening up the embouchure at all which causes the pitch to rise.

Decresendos
- Basically the opposite. Some people simply use too much embouchure pressure to mute vibrations, which in turn closes the opening and resonating space and consequently brings up the pitch.
- Alternatively, simply decreasing the air with no embouchure change can really bring down the pitch

The solution to all of this: Practice long tones!!! Do this with a tuner. Start the note triple piano, and crescendo to as loud as you can go, and then come back. Do this with a metronome (say at 80 or so) and every 2 clicks crescendo another dynamic level, and imagine 5 levels (1 being the softest and 5 being the loudest) so you go 1.2.3.4.5.4.3.2.1. and really listen to the pitch (and use the tuner as confirmation of what you're hearing).

Basically you need to find the right balance of support and embouchure, and you really should find a good teacher for this. There is no real substitue for someone actually watching and listening to what you're doing (and making sure that the reed is stable enough that you're not having to work ridiculously hard to get the results you want).

One thing to keep in mind, really really support when you're playing at any dynamic level, especially the softs. It's very easy to let down the support when trying to get soft, because it feels like this is the only way to get quieter, but this will cause pitch problems. You have to have the same support as you would at any dynamic but think of it more as a smaller airstream but just as much intensity/air speed. It also helps to think of blowing air at the top of your head. Try it and see what works for you!

Hope this helps...and hope I didn't confuse you!

Graham

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Pitch and dynamics new

Arnoldstang

2005-10-14 16:28