Clarinets: articulations

THE ORCHESTRA: A USER'S MANUAL

Introduction	Orchestration	Orchestration	Resources	Historical	Andrew Hugill
					Philharmonia

CLARINETS

Section: Woodwind
Transposing? Yes

Construction
Range
Articulations
Effects
Extended
Player's Tips and Tricks

Articulations

General remarks about phrasing
General remarks about slurring
General remarks about tonguing

NAME	DESCRIPTION	NOTATION	LISTEN/VIEW	COMMENTS
legato	played without tonguing		about legato clarinet bass clarinet
nonlegato	each individual note tongued and separated		about nonlegato clarinet (low register) clarinet (high register)
staccato	short and separated notes (all tongued)		about staccato clarinet bass clarinet
staccatissimo	very short notes (tongued)	Either a verbal indication, thus: or 'wedge' notation, as follows:	about staccatissimo clarinet
(no specific name)	tongued slurred notes, in between legato and nonlegato		tongued slurring	Players interpret these symbols in different ways. Watch the video clip for a brief explanation.
'tenuto'	variation on nonlegato	This is often called 'tenuto': Here's another common variation of nonlegato:	tenuto	Players interpret these symbols in different ways. Watch the video clip for a brief explanation.
double tonguing	the player tongues 'd-k' or some other front/back of mouth articulation		double tonguing	Possible on the bass clarinet and clarinet, but not very clear.
flutter tonguing	a rolled 'r' tonguing		fluttertonguing Clarinet (low register) (middle register) (high register) Bass Clarinet	Not all players can do fluttertonguing. Those that cannot have to 'fake' with a throat flutter that sounds less effective.