[Dixielandjazz] Bending notes on clarinet

Mon Jan 7 13:17:58 PST 2008

I don't think Selmer is makeing the G10 anymore.

Russ Guarino
Clarinet Mavin

"Larry Walton Entertainment - St. Louis" wrote:

> Hi Zach
> Bending notes is more a function of you than the horn.  I agree with the
> idea that if your horn has been in storage for a long time you may very well
> have pad problems.  I had a clarinet on the shelf for some years and I
> decided to haul it out and every pad was gone.  In all the years I had
> taught and played I had never seen anything like it.  My repairman explained
> about worms eating the skin off the pads.   There was not one shred of skin
> on any pad.
>
> While I was still playing clarinet a lot I played on a big bore Selmer G10.
> The large bore caused it to be flat but a shorter barrel took care of that.
> Intonation was good throughout the range.
>
> When you say bending of notes what exactly do you mean.  Sliding between one
> note and the next or vibrato or a smear, gliss or bend.  Almost all of those
> are a function of your lip except a smear which is done by sliding the
> fingers off the hole and if done smoothly can be very large and the gliss.
> Lip smears are particularly effective in the high register.  I can play any
> note between G or G# and C in the upper register with my lip only.
>
> I sort of wonder why you might want to do this stuff if you haven't played
> for awhile.  I would think you might want to get your embouchure and
> intonation firmly in hand before trying a whole bunch of stuff.  It won't
> hurt you do "stuff" but might cover up some basic problems that you could
> have after a long layoff.
>
> The differences between an intermediate model and  so called pro models are
> very small.  There is a bigger difference between a student horn and an
> intermediate horn.  Pro models often have a few adjustment features that
> intermediate and student horns don't have and may feature undercut tone
> holes and better metal in the keys.   I think you need to take better care
> of a pro horn because they are more prone to adjustment problems.  I agree
> with Steve's comments about trying a bunch of horns if you are really set on
> buying a new horn but I would wait awhile until everything gets up to speed.
> Larry
> St. Louis
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "Steve Barbone" <barbonestreet at earthlink.net>
> To: "Larry Walton" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
> Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
> Sent: Sunday, January 06, 2008 4:54 PM
> Subject: [Dixielandjazz] Bending notes on clarinet
>
> > ZACH KEETER <zskeeter at sbcglobal.net>
> >
> >> I'm really really itching to pick my clarinet back so
> >> I can play OKOM. The horn I have is an intermediate
> >> model, gets the job done, but it feels rather stiff
> >> and is hard to "bend" notes and so forth. Any
> >> recommendations on what make/model would be more
> >> conducive to what I want to do? The players that have
> >> a sound I would like to emulate are Johnny Dodds,
> >> Irving Fazola and Evan Christopher. Any info
> >> whatsoever is greatly appreciated.
> >
> > Dear Zach:
> >
> > After you check your horn as Jim O'Briant suggested, you might want to
> > check
> > out the below web sites before you think about a new horn.
> >
> > http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/archive/index.php/t-2106.html
> >
> > It talks about bending notes upward, more of a gliss than a bend.
> >
> > Or: See this at http://www.playmusic.org/woodwinds/more/moreclarinet.html
> >
> > "One technique clarinetists often use is called "bending" notes. This
> > means
> > varying the air pressure on the reed and partly covering tone holes to
> > change pitch. This is especially useful in jazz solos! In fact, clarinets
> > are as common in jazz bands as in orchestras."
> >
> > Or see:
> >
> > http://clarinet.cc/archives/2007/11/a_few_notes_for.html
> >
> > and finally, go to the clarinet board and read ALL the posts at:
> >
> > http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=256615&t=256615
> >
> > My opinion on bending (not glissing) is that it is a function of the lower
> > jaw, embouchure pressure and opening the throat. I do not think the make
> > of
> > clarinet has much to do with it. But you can always try different horns at
> > your local music store. If you find one that suits you better, buy it.
> >
> > With practice and patience, you should be able to bend a single note at
> > least a half tone down. You can do that with the fingers so try for a
> > quarter tone bend. (a note between C and Bb as one example).
> >
> > Also experiment with mouthpieces. What works best for me is a wide lay
> > mouthpiece, eg. Van Doren 5JB and a #2 & 1/2 reed. But then Kenny Davern
> > did
> > it much better with the same mouthpiece and a #4 reed. You can also
> > practice
> > bending a pitch with just the mouthpiece and reed alone by loosening and
> > tightening the embouchure and moving the lower jaw.
> >
> > Let me know off list if you want any more information.
> >
> > Cheers and good luck
> > Steve Barbone
> >
> >
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> >
> >
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>
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