[Dixielandjazz] Boehm vs Albert Sound + Glisses + Whoopee

[Steve Barbone]

Phil W asked about Boehm vs. Albert clarinet sound. Here is my 2 cents as a
wannabe jazz clarinet player.

You can get various opinions about sound differences on them. Some say
Albert is darker, some say lighter some say same. Ditto on just about all
facets of the horns. You get three opinions, two of which are opposite and
one which says there is no difference.

I am in the camp of those who think they sound the same. Only major
difference I hear is in the note sequencing. Some runs are easier on Albert
but most are easier on Boehm. And I think some Albert runs are damn near
impossible to play on a Boehm without figuring out some highly personalized
fingering tricks.

I don't think the horn, whether wood, plastic, rubber, or metal makes a heck
of a lot of difference either. I've heard Davern play them all, plus Albert
and Boehm and couldn't tell the difference. (Based upon memory of live
performances so there may be some inaccuracy present)

I think sound is a function of mouthpiece, column of air, jaw positioning,
embouchure (examine the French method which makes note bending easier),
throat opening and the individual configuration of the player's jaw.

GLISSING:

Good information on glissing comes from players who are alive and do it
well. My suggestion is to ask Chuck Hedges how he does it. He has some
marvelous glisses on the new Bill Sargent CD and reed players might buy it
to hear a master at work, and then ask the master.

WHOOPEE:

Once you get past the dictionary meaning, the song meaning, (Makin Whoopee)
(IMO) is one of having sex, or making love. I think that is pretty clear
from the lyrics.

And if you remember "The Newlywed Game" on TV, you remember the question
they always asked: "Where was the strangest place you ever made whoopee?"
The answers were like: "On top of the dryer, on a golf course, on the
stairs, in the band room, etc. Left little room for doubt that in the minds
of the show producer, contestants, and audience, "Making Whoopee" was a
euphemism for the act of making love or having sex.

Cheers,
Steve Barbone