"Augmenting Clarinet Technique" is this writer's attempt at introducing students of the clarinet to some of the more common new music practices. The new practices included in this sequential study explore the techniques of microtones, quarter tones, timbre changes, proportional notations, harmonics, timbre trills, portamento drills, dyads, vibrato, smorzato, reverse envelope and decay, timeline score readings, three-note multiphonics, four-note multiphonics, multiphonic trills, kinematic multiphonics, simultaneous humming and playing techniques, and demanding altissimo register studies, as well as the technique of combining an acoustic instrument, in this case the clarinet, with the electronic tape medium.This study's purpose is to expound some of the more common demands of the new music. In order to be approachable, this study is highly selective and takes the form of ten originally composed etudes, their prerequisite studies, and one trio.These techniques present problems which often need detailed performance instructions. Although many new-music compositions do in fact contain performing instructions, it seems that an appropriate sequence of their study would assure exposure to most of these new challenges. Other studies have indicated that the introduction of these new techniques can be simplified by exposure through a learning sequence based on increasing difficulty. This concept is utilized to assure a sequence of study that will at least familiarize the clarinetist with these directives and ultimately will give him a mastery of those selected and presented in these etudes.The prerequisite studies are designed to serve a four-fold purpose: 1) to develop embouchure control and resiliency, 2) to acquire facility in manipulating the oral cavity, 3) to acclimate the ears, and 4) to serve as a solid foundation for the ten etudes which follow them. Since it is the opinion of this writer that a new technique must be mastered out of context before it can be incorporated into a whole composition, these prerequisite studies function merely as an introduction to and a drill on each new performance technique. This is accomplished by exploring the realms of lip bends, harmonics, quarter tones, two-note multiphonics (dyads), and the use of the altissimo register, all presented out of context of a normal frame of music.After these prerequisite studies are sufficiently mastered, the student is then able to incorporate each of these techniques into an etude composed for that purpose. There are ten contemporary etudes in all. Each one deals with the problem of musically incorporating at least one specific new technique into a short but whole composition.Vapors, etude No. 10, is the culmination of the study. This etude is intended to stand on its own in the performance medium as a complete composition; therefore, almost all of the new techniques presented earlier were musically incorporated into this composition. Vapors can be performed alone or preferably with electronics in the form of tape reiteration controlled by the performing clarinetist by the use of a foot pedal or switch."Augmenting Clarinet Technique" is in no way intended to turn a novice clarinetist into a prodigy of new music techniques. It merely serves the purpose of exposing the student to some of the most commonly used new techniques found in the contemporary literature. / School of Music
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:BSU/oai:cardinalscholar.bsu.edu:handle/175891 |
| Date | January 1979 |
| Creators | Dolak, Frank J. |
| Contributors | Hargreaves, Robert |
| Source Sets | Ball State University |
| Detected Language | English |
| Format | v, 120 leaves : music ; 28 cm. |
| Source | Virtual Press |
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