Clarinet vibrato... Options

[barry-clari]

...when do people feel it's appropriate? And what sort of vibrato would you use?

I'll pop my opinions on here once I've heard some of yours... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[CJB]

...when do people feel it's appropriate? And what sort of vibrato would you use?

I'll pop my opinions on here once I've heard some of yours... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

Jazz - fast and wide. Probably using jaw movement to generate.
Modern/romantic - happy to use a little gentle vib to add tone colour to longer notes.
Earlier - would avoid except maybe for a little on long notes to add warmth in a slow movement. Generated from diaphragm.

I see vibrato as a colouring to be used with discretion rather than something that is there all the time. My default is no vibrato.

[Appassionata]

Generally I only use it when playing jazz.

[RAM]

I have to say, I really like vibrato and would say that sometimes it is more natural to me than playing a note straight. Having said that I do use it alot more in jazz and some classical pieces. I've been told to steer clear when playing early music.

[Clari_notts]

Agree with CJB on this subject, my default is to not use any (generally) unless i need it for tone colour in slow passages or warming long sustained notes.

It's not a technique i favour TBH i would far rather hear a pure warm centered sound made from a good instrument set up and a skilled players breath control and embouchure. I've heard too many players over the years use vib to cover up poor tuning and tone - so my brain automatically asks what they are hiding or covering up!! Sounding like Acker Bilk i don't find attractive any longer, it's like those warbling singers that make your ears bleed when you've listened to them for an hour or two.

Vibrato needs skilled and sparing use.

[barry-clari]

OK...

As a general rule, I'll avoid any use of vibrato for anything from the mid-Romantic period and backwards, otherwise I'll use it occasionally in later works (using the diaphragm usually), and more often than not I'll liberally use a jaw based vibrato for jazz works!

[Clarimoo]

I've never tried it and my teacher has never suggested I try it.

[alcie-ruth]

I would only ever use it in jazz but I'm not a fan. Most of the clarinettists I've heard using it aren't supporting enough and it's accidental so I associate the two now.

[liseypeasy]

Does practising vibrato from the diaphragm help to learn to support / control better? I mean, if you make a conscious effort to learn the different feel between greater or lesser support, does that strengthen your support control in general?
I like a little bit but I'm not massively keen on Gervase De Peyer's use for instance.

[barry-clari]

Does practising vibrato from the diaphragm help to learn to support / control better? I mean, if you make a conscious effort to learn the different feel between greater or lesser support, does that strengthen your support control in general?
I like a little bit but I'm not massively keen on Gervase De Peyer's use for instance.

It can do, but it's not the way I'd choose to teach support. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[Dulcet]

I'm surprised to find so much antipathy to vibrato! Jack Brymer is nothing like so black and white in his book. And Acker Bilk is hardly typical of all jazz musicians, I would like to add - most of them are much more subtle.

Like most stylistic things, you use it as appropriate. I find a big vibrato on flute more offensive than on clarinet, for example, and don't even go there with Russian horn players (talking french horn not jazz here!)

[RAM]

This thread has been rather topical in my lessons recently. I need to get rid of my 'bad habit' of vibrato as all of my Grade 8 pieces don't require it, so, does anyone have any suggestions how NOT to play with vibrato and to keep the note straight. I think that I am using my lip to bend the note rather than my diaphragm. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[barry-clari]

This thread has been rather topical in my lessons recently. I need to get rid of my 'bad habit' of vibrato as all of my Grade 8 pieces don't require it, so, does anyone have any suggestions how NOT to play with vibrato and to keep the note straight. I think that I am using my lip to bend the note rather than my diaphragm. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

It sounds like something you've picked up and ingrained into your playing, RAM. I'm also going to guess that you can play without vibrato : assuming that's the case, I'm afraid it's the good old 'p' word : practice, to get rid of it! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

[Pixie*Porsche]

hahaha, this is my thread, LOL! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

I use LOTS of vibrato and love a really big sound for clarinet. Just seems natural to me .... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/ohmy.gif).

[sbhoa]

Never (yet?) encountered it.