Clarinet Technique Essay

As I waited backstage for my turn to perform, music from the piano filtered back to me. Listening to the notes, my own mixture of nerves and excitement was replaced by the appreciation and amazement I felt every time I heard another pianist play. My joy does not come from the beauty of the music alone. Instead, I find satisfaction in the meticulous technique underlying a performance. From complex finger-work to proper articulation to intuitive pedaling, each component must be carried out faultlessly to yield harmonious art. In a similar way, dentistry relies on detailed procedures whose product puts a smile on others’ faces. I find the same sense of satisfaction in the meticulous and creative process of dentistry that began to be cultivated while learning to play the piano in elementary school.

In order to become an expert performer Abbott and Collins (2004) suggest that talent development requires the possession of Psychological Characteristics for Developing Excellence (PCDE), which as the performer moves through the transition phases become further developed. PCDE’s are both trait characteristics and state related skills such as self-belief, dedication and discipline (Abbott and Collins, 2004). Another significant aspect of becoming an expert musician is deliberate practice. Deliberate practice requires determination with the correct motivation for the performer, and the necessary time and effort roughly equating to 10,000 hours (Ericsson et al., 1993). MacNamara, Holmes and Collins (2008) state that expert musicians require numerous aspects to reach the highest level; natural talent and/or deliberate practice combined with social context and significant others are needed to maintain performance at this high level. As talent is developed, the performer moves

As noted in a previous journal entry, I had made a trip to Cöthen where the great composer, Johann Sebastian Bach, is under the service of Prince Leopold. There I heard a recent keyboard transcription of Bach’s. The transcription was of a piece called Concerto in D minor for Oboe, Strings and Basso Continuo. Bach listed the composer as the well-known Venetian composer Benedetto Marcello. As I listened to the piece, I was captured by the simple yet eloquent melodies that were presented but I also was curious as I had not known of Benedetto to write for oboe. I also know that Marcello stated, “Oboes, flutes, trumpets, bassoons, etc., will always be out of

In addition to asymmetrical rhythms the use of polytonality is vibrant throughout the piece especially in the introduction which begins with different clarinets playing polytonal. Stravinsky structured The Rite very differently, melody was not the only dominant feature of the piece, other features such as the fore mentioned polytonality and asymmetrical rhythms were also at the dominant features of the piece. By breaking from many common practices of his own and of the time, Stravinsky created a piece slated in modernism's history.

Many clarinetist have bad habits about where they hold there clarinet, were there mouth is, and where there fingers are set. “Issues with tone are most often the result of poor embouchure formation, too much or too little pressure from the jaw, and issues with air speed and breath support” (Ferreira). Having good embouchure formation is an important part of playing the clarinet. “On the other hand, holding the instrument too close to the body can also cause control problems” (Walsh). Holding your instrument too close to your body can make it harder to play. “The result often times is a poor embouchure and hence a poor tone” (Walsh). Embouchure is good when you're formation is right, and if it is then you will sound

Brent’s music journey began in kindergarten, where he was introduced to the piano. He continued until fifth grade, until another opportunity arose. Band was offered to the sixth graders; an opportunity Brent couldn’t pass up. He began band with the desire to play the saxophone. Convinced otherwise by his mother, Brent switched to percussion. Later, he came to realise percussion was a better decision. “The mallet parts came easy to me, as they were similar to the piano,” Brent explained, “ It also had a greater variety than the other instruments offered.”

Author Courtney Crappell writes the article, “Making Music Lessons Attractive Again”. She begins by asking her readers if they are interested in discovering ways to make music a better-known aspect of people’s everyday lives. She then moves on to explain what it is music teachers do. Music teachers are people who give individuals who seek musical knowledge, the tools to experience the world of music. At some point in his or her lives, Crappell states every person desires to learn how to play an instrument.

Life always revolves around music and tunes, especially during my era of existence. Being brought into this Earth in the year of 1951, I’ve achieved numerous opportunities; from playing in jazz gigs and other orchestral meetups. Essentially, I’m just a trombonist who grew up in the notorious city of Los Angeles, California. Growing up, in the city of Los Angeles, often was tricky due to our underprivileged community. The 60’s were often a time of discrimination against anyoneOne task, that kept me in line, was my trombone playing. Everyday, when I came home from school, I would study my famous “Arban’s Method for Trombone” book, and decipher each and every detail; therefore, achieving stability in each aspect of playing. The trickiest thing

Did you know that there are 27 different types of clarinets that have been constructed over the years? Though there are many, the most common is the B flat Clarinet, which is the one I am here to talk to you about. In this article I will be teaching you how to make a sound on the Clarinet. The Clarinet (a single-reed instrument made up of the African wood, granadilla) is a very popular instrument in the band and is played by millions.

As trying to improve and get better, we as students would sometimes become lethargic and believe that we could never perform a certain sequence in music. However, Mrs. Hogberg was always positive. Even if Mrs.

When he returned to the piece in 1791, Mozart decided to change the key and the instrumentation of the piece. The key was changed from G major to A major and the instrument of choice was the basset clarinet in A. Stadler designed the basset clarinet. Compared to the current clarinet, the basset clarinet had a range that was 2 whole tones lower than a normal clarinet. Francoeur’s Diapason general gives tonal qualities of various clarinets and describes the G clarinet’s sound as “sweet, sad, and lugubrious” (Lawson, pg. 29). When describing the tonal quality of the A clarinet, it I said to have “a very sweet sound, [that it] much less somber than the G and with a great range” (Lawson, pg.

Learning a musical instrument can be a worthwhile and fulfilling experience. It has a host benefits, including increasing various academic skills, improving confidence, aiding with stress relief, sharpening concentration, added social benefits, and it can also change lives. A great instrument to learn is the B♭ clarinet. It is easy to learn, yet difficult to master. One of the most basic skills to be able to play the clarinet includes assembling it.

Technique is very important for all musicians of all types, especially for Clarinet players. Many of the techniques are vital for a great musician to understand. Things such as embouchure, vibrato and tone effects are all things that are required by the musician. I will be investigating the embouchure and how a correct one will substantially increase your prowess as a woodwind, particularly clarinet, player. The clarinet is a woodwind instrument that has a single reed mouthpiece. Johann Christoph Denner invented the clarinet in Germany around the turn of the 18th century by adding a register key to the earlier Chalumea. Having a correct embouchure is vitally important to playing woodwind instruments.

First and foremost, the piece reflects the development of the clarinet that its role in the orchestra became more and

When approaching a performance, accomplished musicians often consider the historical context from which a piece originates. They most often think of such considerations in the application of that context as it pertains to early music that is, the Baroque era or earlier. For any era, such historical considerations are called performance practice, and may include the use of vibrato, ornamentation, dynamic levels, tempi, instrumental timbres, performance setting, and balance. Vibrato and ornamentation are two important areas of consideration that vocalists must explore when aiming to give an authentically Baroque performance.