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Elements of Contemporary Clarinet Technique

22 Études by Roger Zare & Viet Cuong, with commentary by Andy Hudson

Composer: Various

Publisher: Conway Publications

$37.50

Instrumentation:
Movement/Section Duration: N/A
  • This edition consists of 22 études composed by Roger Zare (one étude, No. 19, is written by Viet Cuong), each accompanied by "masterclass" commentary by Andy Huson.  Eric Mandat explains in the foreword that the études are substantial enough to stand as solo compositions in their own right.  They are inspired by the Periodic Table of Elements, and each focuses on a particular clarinet technique, with the final three combining various techniques explored previously:

    Chapter 1, Études 1–2: Breath control
    Chapter 2, Études 3–4: Slurs
    Chapter 3, Theme & Variations; Études 5–8: Quarter tones
    Chapter 4, Études 9–10: Glissandi
    Chapter 5, Études 11–12: Circular breathing
    Chapter 6, Études 13–14: Single tonguing
    Chapter 7, Étude 15: Flutter tonguing, growling, & timbre trills
    Chapter 8, Études 16–17: Double & slap tonguing
    Chapter 9, Études 18–19: Multiphonics
    Chapter 10, Études 20–22: "Compound Performance Études" (combining concepts)

    Each étude is 1–2 pages long (the last few are slightly longer, at 3–4 pages each).  They are suitable for an advanced player, or a driven intermediate player who aims to learn "extended techniques" like quarter-tones, gliassandi, slap tonguing, etc.  All but 3 études make frequent use of the altissimo register.  The technical demands are great enough that the publication would likely not fit a traditional weekly assignment schedule; instead, Mandat suggests concentrating simultaneously on all études in a given chapter for an extended period of time to properly develop a particular technique/concept.  As Hudson writes, the benefit of studying these modern-sounding études is not merely honing extended techniques, but more so gaining creative flexibility and expanding one's musical vocabulary.

    Quick facts
    Range: highest pitch = written B6
    Key signature: no  ♯/♭
    Time signature: 2/2, 3/2, 4/2, 2/4, 3/4, 4/4, 5/4, 5.5/4, 2/8, 3/8, 5/8, 6/8, 7/8, 8/8, 9/8, 12/8, 5/16, 6/16
    Extended techniques: multiphonics, microtones, timbral trill, growl, slap tongue, flutter tongue, glissando pitch bend, spatial notation (étude #11)

    Every étude has substantial adjoined commentary, usually at least 4 pages long, and split into two sections:

    The first section lists precisely three "core concepts" to guide one's approach; for example, Étude #10 includes the following headings: "(1) The glissando as an expressive tool; (2) Managing the current of cascading energies; (3) Alternate fingerings: when, where, and how?"  Each concept offers engaging anecdotes and helpful strategies to master whatever techniques an étude demands.

    The commentary's second section, titled "Elements of Successful Performance," is a bar-by-bar (or line-by-line) walkthrough of the étude with specific, detailed suggestions for execution and interpretation.

    Fingering charts are included alongside each étude which uses quarter-tones or multiphonics; the multiphonics fingerings are marked directly above the corresponding notation in the actual music for easy reference.  A complete quarter-tone fingering chart is also included in the back of the book.

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  • Pages: 153

    Pages (score):


    Publisher Code: CP00100312

    UPC: 9781955697019

    ISBN: 9781955697019

    ISMN:


    Length: 28 cm

    Width: 22.5 cm

    Thickness: 1.904 cm


    Weight: 528 g