John Cipolla (December 2008 column)

John Cipolla's website aims to help viewers become better musicians with advice and tips on such topics as doubling on woodwind instruments, practicing, and performing. In addition to the articles and lecture presentations available on the website, Cipolla also offers video and audio clips, creating a well-rounded site with multiple formats for learning.

A a woodwind doubler himself, Cipolla designated an entire section of the website to the art of doubling. Here he gives information on not only the history of doubling, but also supplies fundamental concepts that apply to playing multiple woodwinds. He underscores the need for doublers to master the basics of each instrument, briefly discussing applications for correct embouchure, breathing, finger technique, articulation, and intonation. His advice on woodwind equipment is indispensable to the novice doubler. The website also contains an extensive listing of recommended method books for each instrument in conjunction with recommended listening sources and general readings. Information on doubling effectively covers all of the necessary components for multiple-woodwind players.

Extending the scope of information found on the website, Cipolla provides links to four of his lecture presentations at past ClarinetFests. The lecture topics range from applications of Carl Baermann's method for modern clarinetists, to jazz improvisation on the clarinet. All four of the presentations are located on the I.C.A. website. In another article titled "Internalizing the Music," Cipolla enlightens viewers with strategies on how to suppress conscious thought while playing an instrument. The player must become completely comfortable with the music in order to fully internalize it, so that in Cipolla's words, "the music will play itself." Cipolla provides clearly defined steps and exercises essential for mastery of this concept. Additional musical concepts found on the website are also concisely presented in a collection of video excerpts and audio files. Granting viewers access to an assortment of topics, Cipolla's website is highly informative and full of valuable insight.

Michèle Gingras (December 2008 column)

Infusing technology with the art of teaching, Michèle Gingras' website offers innovative resources in a variety of formats. Viewers can enjoy mp3s, mini-masterclasses presented on video, and an interactive course on circular breathing (complete with a quiz). Gingras also provides downloadable versions of many articles she has written for various publications, on topics such as klezmer, reed balancing, and performance anxiety.

Gingras' "Clarinet Secrets" podcasts are a highlight of the website. Since its publication in 2004 (and 2006 revision), her book Clarinet Secrets: 52 Performance Strategies for the Advanced Clarinetist has gained popularity in written form and on the Internet. Gingras has chosen twenty of these "secrets" and transformed them into podcasts in which she demonstrates techniques put forth in the book. If you are new to podcasts, just think of a podcast as an audio or video file (like a radio or television broadcast) that is recorded and put on the Internet. These files are available to download onto your computer or iPod, allowing you to listen or view at your convenience.

Podcast topics include finger motion, tonguing, extended techniques, and much more. Their potential as teaching tools is readily apparent. Clarinetists can watch videos that address areas of interest, and teachers can discover new approaches for difficult aspects of clarinet playing, such as the "flat chin" or throat flexibility.

Gingras has made these podcasts available as free downloads from the Apple store. The only drawback is that iTunes is required in order to view and download them. Another option is to watch videos as streaming Quicktime files from Gingras' website, although only a few are available in this format and they can be slow to load. If all else fails, the twenty "Clarinet Secrets" videos are also available for purchase on DVD.

Michael Lowenstern's Earspasm (December 2008 column)

One of the most outstanding clarinet websites on the Internet is Earspasm.com, created by bass clarinetist (and composer, producer, and web designer) Michael Lowenstern. Earspasm's captivating interface contains a treasure trove of materials and resources for the bass clarinetist.

Earspasm has the standard sections for a performer website: Lowenstern's upcoming performances, recordings on which he is featured, and his press kit with biography and photos. But the good stuff is in the "Performer Info" section. After clicking on "How Do I...", one is invited to drag and drop topics such as "circular breathe" and "buy a new bass" to view Lowenstern's mini-classes. Stealthily embedded videos provide a visual demonstration of slap-tonguing, and all of the text is downloadable. Teachers may appreciate Lowenstern's methodical approach to bass clarinet voicing (under the "altissimo" topic), including his motto: "There are no squeaks, only wrong voicings."

Lowenstern describes himself as "an unashamed gear-hound," which becomes abundantly clear when exploring the "gear" section of the site. When Lowenstern talks about his "rig," he's not referring to his instrument; there is a photo of him playing onstage, and viewers can mouse over pieces of equipment for a description and picture -- from the wireless microphones on his bass to the LCD display he uses instead of a music stand. There is also a great discussion of equipment needed to perform pieces for clarinet and tape/CD as well as clarinet with interactive electronics. As for more conventional equipment, he highly recommends the Backun bass clarinet bell with a neat video demonstration.

Under "charts," there is an interactive altissimo fingering chart that can also be downloaded and printed. The chart has only one fingering per note, but makes up for it with the range covered -- up to a double high F! Other goodies include the download section with free mp3s (both streaming and downloadable) and pdfs of sheet music. For reference, Lowenstern includes his repertoire list, and has also begun an online composition database of works for bass clarinet and tape/CD/electronics.

All of this great content is assembled into an innovative Flash site that is a pleasure to explore. The site is highly interactive; you can not only grab windows and watch them bounce around, but also adjust the "viscosity" and "elasticity" to your liking. Don't like the default color? Choose from seven others to find the most pleasing hue. Some sheet music examples even zoom in as you grab them, iPhone-style.

The site will undoubtedly change as Lowenstern updates it and adds new content, but it is probably safe to say that Earspasm will remain on bass clarinetist's bookmark lists for years to come.

International Clarinet Association on Facebook

In case you hadn't noticed, the International Clarinet Association now has a group on Facebook. Officers Diane Cawein Barger, Keith Koons, and John Cipolla have created a way to keep up with the ICA via Facebook, including details of upcoming ClarinetFests. But don't forget - you should still go to the ICA's main website to pay your dues and become a member in order to receive The Clarinet, the fantastic quarterly publication of the ICA.

YouTube Symphony Orchestra

YouTube is calling all musicians across the globe to participate in the world's first collaborative online orchestra. Musicians of all ranks are invited to submit video performances for the chance to play in Carnegie Hall under the baton of Michael Tilson Thomas. The April 15th concert will feature the YouTube Symphony Orchestra performing Tan Dun's Internet Symphony No.1 "Eroica." Best known for his music in the movie Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon, Dun specifically wrote the piece for the YouTube project, inspired by the idea of creating music through the mobilization of talent globally via the Internet.

For those of you interested in auditioning, check the YouTube Symphony website for official rules and deadlines of the application process. Finalists will be selected by a panel of judges in the first round and YouTube viewers will be able to cast their vote for their favorite musicians starting February 14th-22nd, 2009. Each instrumentalist must submit a video recording of their musical part of Dun's work (music available in PDF format) and a second video of orchestral excerpts. The required works for clarinetists include: Dun's Internet Symphony, Mozart's Clarinet Concerto (mvmt.2), Mendelssohn's Scherzo, and Rimsky-Korsakov's Scheherazade. In order to help viewers with Dun's piece and the audition process, YouTube offers master class videos for all of the orchestral instruments. London Symphony Orchestra (LSO) clarinetist Chi-Yu Mo gives his advice in the clarinet master class and LSO musician John Stenhouse offers instruction for bass clarinetists. The deadline for applications is January 28th, 2009.

Orchestral Salaries

Who hasn't dreamt of playing clarinet in a major symphony orchestra? Clarinets are one of the few instruments afforded many options of playing in various instrumental ensembles, but many of us know that it is very difficult to make a living as a musician.

For those curious about facts and salary figures of orchestral musicians, the website orchestrafacts.org contains information regarding salaries of 52 major American orchestras. The 52 orchestras surveyed currently employ about 4,200 full-time musicians. This website has compiled facts and statistics on wages, orchestra revenues, expenses, and budgets. Having trouble understanding economics of orchestras? Listings of additional readings cover the economic structures and issues faced by orchestras. Check out an interesting comparative chart on historical information of salary growth from 1952-2000 under the side-bar listing of "Facts About Orchestral Salaries." It gives a nice overview of salary figures across the nation. Since the data given is outdated by at least 8 years, it would be interesting to know the current and predicted wage trends under today's economic situation.

Wii Clarinet

We've all seen people spend hours perfecting their technique for "Guitar Hero." Well, now gamers can pretend to play the clarinet, too! This is the clarinet trailer for Wii Music, part of a series that also includes flute, violin, and even harp. It appears that this virtual clarinet is played using only two buttons. It doesn't really look that fun, but could be a nice distraction for those times when the real clarinet just seems too difficult.

Cristo Barrios

Performing a transcription of a well-known soprano aria (Juliet's Waltz) from Charles Gounod's Romèo et Juliette, clarinetist Cristo Barrios captures the essence of the piece through his expressive phrasing and beautiful tone in this relatively unknown YouTube video. Born in 1976 on the island of Tenerife (the largest of the Canary Islands), Barrios has won many international competitions and has held engagements across Europe and abroad as a recitalist and chamber musician. Barrios' interest in contemporary music has led to his premiering of several new works for the clarinet.




On Barrios' personal website (in both English and Spanish) viewers can find his biography, repertoire list, contact information, and his current performance schedules. Listen to more of his superb playing on the video and audio clips of solo and chamber works posted in the "Download" section of his homepage.

Bass clarinet altissimo fingerings

As anyone who plays or teaches bass clarinet knows well, altissimo fingerings for bass clarinet can be quite confusing. The standard B-flat fingerings work sometimes, but not in all situations. Some fingerings may even work on one bass but not speak at all on another.

This page from the website of Terje Lerstad is a great resource for anyone dealing with these issues. Lerstad has posted an article he and Thomas Aber wrote for The Clarinet entitled "Altissimo Register Fingerings for the Bass Clarinet," as well as an article by Lerstad about altissimo fingerings for contrabass and contra-alto clarinet. Both of these articles are accompanied by fingering charts.



One issue that the articles explain well is the difference between the double and single register vent systems, and their effect on altissimo fingerings for the low clarinets. Because student horns often have only a single register vent, certain categories of fingerings will not work as well for them. Other fingerings work great for single-vent horns, but not double. The charts differentiate these by adding an "S" under fingerings that work for double-vent horns (most Selmer and Buffet basses) and an "L" under those that work for single-vent horns (older Leblancs and others). These articles and fingering charts would be worthwhile for any bass clarinet player or teacher to explore.

Vincent J. (Jimmy) Abato

A counterpart to the recent article on Vincent J. (Jimmy) Abato published in the June 2008 issue of The Clarinet, a web site created by Adam Michlin pays homage to the exceptional clarinetist, bass clarinetist, and saxophonist. As a performer and teacher who inspired many, Abato was celebrated for his bass clarinet playing in the New York Metropolitan Opera, his classical saxophone recordings, and his career as a teacher of clarinet and saxophone at Julliard. Tributes to Abato in Michlin's web site include a reprint of the June article and additional narratives by friends and former students -- showing just how dearly he was admired and cherished by those around him. The site also contains audio files, which provide a modest sample of his talent on both clarinet and saxophone, and Michlin has collected various images of Abato that offer viewers a glimpse into his world. Vincent J. Abato (1919-2008) undoubtedly left a tremendous mark on the musical world of clarinetists and saxophonists alike.