[Dixielandjazz] An outstanding tuba solo

[Russ Guarino]

Bill,

The term "Obligato" has taken on a kind of specialized meaning in this
discussion e-mail group and has been assigned the general meaning of the
clarinet going up and down the horn doing harmonic "color" behind the soloist
or during the ensemble chorus.

I notice that most bands think of the clarinet's job as doing the "Obligato"
work.  When I first hear the expression, I wasn't sure what it meant as
technically, in classic work, it means a solo or smi-solo that moves through a
number of notes spanning the instrument, up and down the instrument's range. [
At least that's how I understood it ].

Defining the clarinet's job in Dixieland, when not soloing, I think of the
clarinet adding "harmonic color" which could be obligato movements,  pedal
tones, long tones or chordal sequential movement at a moderate speed.  I do all
of the above depending on the tune and nature of the phrasing.

Steve Barbone is the master of these things, I wonder what would be his
explanation.

Russ Guarino

Bill Gunter wrote:

> Hi Russ and all,
>
> I'm not sure I totally agree with your definition of "obligato" . . .
> "Obligato is the general background movement of the clarinet during full
> ensemble or backing up other instruments."
>
> My music dictionary defines 'obbligato' as "a part which cannot be omitted,
> being indispensably necessary to a proper performance . . ." - sort of an
> "obligatory" part, I would imagine.
>
> However, some others may chime in with a comment or two along the way to
> either support or attack my position.
>
> Respectfully submitted,
>
> Bill "picky picky picky" Gunter
> jazzboard at hotmail.com