| Author |
Subject |
Laura
Wichers
Moderator
(1/29/01 9:07:03 pm)
Reply |
Developing tone/color range
Okay, I've come far enough I don't
*usually* have to worry about intonation/rhythm anymore, so now my
biggest concern is creating a range of different tones/colors. I
know to experiment with bow speed/pressure, different articulation,
playing high on lower strings, low on higher strings, etc. Do any of
you have suggestions on developing tonal/color range? For example,
I've heard of using scales and picking different emotions each time
through the scale. I suppose this works for some people, but I tend
to need a more analytical approach. I listen to a lot of recordings
and many times, I'll hear something I want to duplicate but can't
figure out what the player is doing. Any
ideas/suggestions/experience you might be able to relate would be
appreciated.
Laura
|
dennisw
Registered User
(1/29/01 9:31:44 pm)
Reply |
re:
tone/color range
I'm not sure an analytical approach
is the best one for this.... It's tough to come up with exercises to
develop qualities that are so continuously variable in the music...
I'm stumped.
|
Daniel
Ortbals 
Registered
User
(1/30/01 12:59:47 am)
Reply |
Re:
Developing tone/color range
I'm with Dennis on this one. I enjoy
the analytical approach in subjects that are a little more concrete
such as math and science (and in cello playing: posture, balance,
comfort, mobility), however, not when it comes to generating sound.
I'd say just have the sound you want in your head (I mean, REALLY
have it in your head so you can hear it and really want it) then
just play the cello as you sing it inside you. Don't give up until
you have duplicated the sound you want. Try varying whatever it is
you are doing in the middle of your bow stroke - rather than playing
one note one way, stopping, and playing another note a different way
- so that you can hear the changes as they occur. Once you have
generated a sound you are satisfied with, perhaps a little analysis
of what exactly it is you did will be in order. Again, though,
remember that trying to generate a sound by thinking of bow
placement, speed, etc. FIRST, is a lot like trying to write a piece
of music by mapping out chord progressions and filling in a melody
that "fits." Kind of backwards in my opinion.
Dan O
|
Tim
Janof
Administrator
(1/30/01 11:11:07 pm)
Reply |
Re:
Developing tone/color range
This is a difficult question to
answer without lapsing into useless cliches or annoying
psychologizing, but I'll do my best to avoid both.
From your
description it sounds like you know what tones/colors you want to
achieve, but you just aren't sure how to create them. It also sounds
like you understand what many of the ingredients are that you can
alter in order to vary your sound. It seems that what you want is
some sort of cookbook that will tell you what ingredients to use and
in what proportion, depending on the color or sound you want to
achieve. Not a bad idea!
It sounds like you are at a
wonderful cross-roads in your playing. You realize that there is
more to playing the cello than noodling and you are feeling the
frustration of your own technical limitations. Congratulations! This
is a good thing! As Paul Tortelier once said, "I have noticed that
when some of my students succeed in correcting poor technical
habits, there is a change in their intepretation. They become aware
that their interpretation has been mediocre as well as their
technique."
Uh-oh, puppy knawing at my foot, more
later....
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