[Dixielandjazz] Vibrato ala Bechet

[Marek Boym]

Never mind the soprano - I just expect a big sound from a saxophone of
any kind (nevertheless, Bud Freeman has always been my favourite).
But it is Bechet's (and others') clarinet vibrato taht I adore!
Cheers

On 18/09/2007, Steve Barbone <barbonestreet at earthlink.net> wrote:
> "Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis"
>
> > I have some of those recordings so I need to pull them out and re listen -
> > Personally I like what he did but I find his vibrato irritating and try to
> > listen past it for the meat of the  music.
> >
> > I am simply not a fan of the vibrato used by early jazz players in the same
> > way I don't like the Minney Mouse vibrato that Dolly Parton uses and is used
> > by women in Appalachian folk music.  Vibrato has gone through several style
> > changes over the years and will most likely continue to change over time.
>
> Vibrato certainly has gone through changes over the years and will continue
> to do so. I guess it is a matter of personal preference. For example, I love
> Bechet's vibrato, but don't use much myself.
>
> Perhaps Bechet and others favored vibrato because that's what they heard the
> Operatic singers they adored use. Enrico Caruso, who was a favorite of many
> jazz players, used vibrato. Perhaps another contribution that Classical, or
> Operatic music made to the development of jazz? From Caruso to Pavarotti,
> vibrato has changed. Both used it, but Pavarotti's was different, less high
> speed.
>
> Other reason Bechet may have preferred vibrato, especially on Sop Sax, is
> that the early sop saxes were quite out of tune. Some had the lower register
> in tune and the upper register sharp, while others had the lower register
> flat with the upper register in tune. You could buy either version, but not
> one with both registers in tune.
>
> How to mask that deficiency? Vibrato. By varying the pitch with vibrato a
> quarter tone on both the high and low side, some of the note in either
> register would be "in tune" and perceived as in tune by most of the
> audience. <grin>
>
> Cheers,
> Steve Barbone
>
> PS to Mike: A sarrousaphone is a sort of, but not really, bass sax. Google
> it and you'll find more than you want to know about it. Bechet takes a solo
> on one during "Mandy Make Up Your Mind".
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> To unsubscribe or change your e-mail preferences for the Dixieland Jazz Mailing list, or to find the online archives, please visit:
>
> http://ml.islandnet.com/mailman/listinfo/dixielandjazz
>
>
>
> Dixielandjazz mailing list
> Dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com
>