Tone Quality
What does it mean to play in tone?
Simply put having a good tone means that your sound is pleasant to listen to. Playing in tone means that you’re using an appropriate tone for the style you’re playing. Having a good tone is one of the most important aspects of music. Who wants to listen to a performance if it’s not pleasant to listen to?
Tone is subtle changes in the color of sound. We use adjectives to describe our tone. Does it sound resonant, squeaky, round, big, small, wavy, smooth, mellow, ridged, stressed, relaxed, calming, happy, sad, angry, loving, warm, cold, soothing, rich, vibrant, dynamic, light, heavy, bright, dark…etc.
At first, differences in a good and bad tone are pretty obvious. We need to learn what our instrument is supposed to sound like and listening to masters on our instrument is how we learn. Think about how you learned to speak. You knew nothing about speaking but within a couple years you became fluent and spoke very well. You didn’t learn how to speak by reading a book, you listened to masters of language—your parents. Sure, as you got better you started reading books and started to write. These things are tools helping you to develop even more fluency and mastery and we are always learning and getting better. It’s the same with music and your fluency in the musical language.
Tone is subtle changes in the color of sound. We use adjectives to describe our tone. Does it sound resonant, squeaky, round, big, small, wavy, smooth, mellow, ridged, stressed, relaxed, calming, happy, sad, angry, loving, warm, cold, soothing, rich, vibrant, dynamic, light, heavy, bright, dark…etc.
At first, differences in a good and bad tone are pretty obvious. We need to learn what our instrument is supposed to sound like and listening to masters on our instrument is how we learn. Think about how you learned to speak. You knew nothing about speaking but within a couple years you became fluent and spoke very well. You didn’t learn how to speak by reading a book, you listened to masters of language—your parents. Sure, as you got better you started reading books and started to write. These things are tools helping you to develop even more fluency and mastery and we are always learning and getting better. It’s the same with music and your fluency in the musical language.
How do we develop good tone?
We develop good tone by listening and playing/speaking.
You’ll hear the subtle differences in tone by listening and just like you did as a baby, you must try to copy the masters. This is another reason why having a private teacher is important! Just like your babbling as a baby went from “goo goo, ga ga” soon became, “mama, dada,” which soon became, “Mom, Dad…. Can I have thirty bucks so I can go to the movie with my friends?”
Here you’ll find some masters for you to listen to. It’s a long list, but know that this list is actually very small. Just pick one and listen. Listen to their tone. What do they sound like? Sometimes closing your eyes will help. You should be free of distractions and noise pollution.
Here are lists of people and bands to get you started and remember that they started out just like you. Enjoy!
You’ll hear the subtle differences in tone by listening and just like you did as a baby, you must try to copy the masters. This is another reason why having a private teacher is important! Just like your babbling as a baby went from “goo goo, ga ga” soon became, “mama, dada,” which soon became, “Mom, Dad…. Can I have thirty bucks so I can go to the movie with my friends?”
Here you’ll find some masters for you to listen to. It’s a long list, but know that this list is actually very small. Just pick one and listen. Listen to their tone. What do they sound like? Sometimes closing your eyes will help. You should be free of distractions and noise pollution.
Here are lists of people and bands to get you started and remember that they started out just like you. Enjoy!
Flute
Sir James Galway
The Flute world would not be the same with the legendary Sir James Galway. Galway is one of the worlds most recognizable Flautist if not the worlds most recognizable musician. He has mastered many genres of flute playing, and has many masterclasses on youtube teaching you how to acquire a characteristic flute sound. I highly recommend watching his masterclasses because Galway is a master teacher. Here is Galway performing Rimsky Korsakov's Flight of the Bumble Bee.
The Flute world would not be the same with the legendary Sir James Galway. Galway is one of the worlds most recognizable Flautist if not the worlds most recognizable musician. He has mastered many genres of flute playing, and has many masterclasses on youtube teaching you how to acquire a characteristic flute sound. I highly recommend watching his masterclasses because Galway is a master teacher. Here is Galway performing Rimsky Korsakov's Flight of the Bumble Bee.
Oboe
Clarinet
Julian Bliss
The Clarinet is one of the most versatile instruments in the Band Instrument. It has a dynamic range and can achieve many interesting sound effects. Julian Bliss is becoming a rising star in the Clarinet world, and has truly mastered all aspects of the clarinet. Bliss is a touring soloist, and has played with some of the worlds finest orchestras. This video highlights some extreme clarinet technique such as dexterity, tone, and range.
The Clarinet is one of the most versatile instruments in the Band Instrument. It has a dynamic range and can achieve many interesting sound effects. Julian Bliss is becoming a rising star in the Clarinet world, and has truly mastered all aspects of the clarinet. Bliss is a touring soloist, and has played with some of the worlds finest orchestras. This video highlights some extreme clarinet technique such as dexterity, tone, and range.
Pascual Martinez Forteza
Martinez Forteza is Spains premier clarinet player. He is currently the Acting Associate Principal and E-flat (another type of Clarinet) specialist withe New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Pascual teaches throughout the world giving masterclasses and solo performances with many of the worlds finest Orchestras. This recording highlights great dynamic contrast (loud and soft playing), as well as control in tone and intonation throughout the extreme tessituras (the range of an instrument) on the Clarinet.
Martinez Forteza is Spains premier clarinet player. He is currently the Acting Associate Principal and E-flat (another type of Clarinet) specialist withe New York Philharmonic Orchestra. Pascual teaches throughout the world giving masterclasses and solo performances with many of the worlds finest Orchestras. This recording highlights great dynamic contrast (loud and soft playing), as well as control in tone and intonation throughout the extreme tessituras (the range of an instrument) on the Clarinet.
Mariinsky Clarinet Club
The following video highlights the many instruments in the Clarinet family. You will see a handful of regular Bb Clarinets as well as a Bass Clarinet. There are also Eb and A Clarinets (smaller clarinets) but those are not in this video. When played in a chamber (small group) ensemble, Clarinets can create a wide range of sonorities, timbres, and sound effects. This is a great video that features some of the best Russian clarinet players playing in a small chamber ensemble.
The following video highlights the many instruments in the Clarinet family. You will see a handful of regular Bb Clarinets as well as a Bass Clarinet. There are also Eb and A Clarinets (smaller clarinets) but those are not in this video. When played in a chamber (small group) ensemble, Clarinets can create a wide range of sonorities, timbres, and sound effects. This is a great video that features some of the best Russian clarinet players playing in a small chamber ensemble.
Bass Clarinet
Bassoon
Paul Hanson
For all of you Bassoon players out there, this video takes bassoon playing to the next level. If you have ever felt that bassoon was not one of the coolest instruments, this will surely change your opinion. Paul Hanson is a modern day professional bassoon player who has brought many new genres to bassoon playing. This video highlights not only his ability to use bassoon as an improvisatory instrument, but he is incorporating 20th century techniques such as recording himself and them immediately playing on top of a loop of himself playing. If it sounds complicated, that is because it is. Hanson has ultimately turned his bassoon into an electric guitar. He is able to completely alter the tone of the instrument through a computer and have it playback simultaneously.
For all of you Bassoon players out there, this video takes bassoon playing to the next level. If you have ever felt that bassoon was not one of the coolest instruments, this will surely change your opinion. Paul Hanson is a modern day professional bassoon player who has brought many new genres to bassoon playing. This video highlights not only his ability to use bassoon as an improvisatory instrument, but he is incorporating 20th century techniques such as recording himself and them immediately playing on top of a loop of himself playing. If it sounds complicated, that is because it is. Hanson has ultimately turned his bassoon into an electric guitar. He is able to completely alter the tone of the instrument through a computer and have it playback simultaneously.
Harald Müller
Possibly one of the most famous classical bassoon excerpts is from Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherezade. Many composers use the bassoon because of it's very unique tone and timbre which can be blended with many instruments to create unique sounds. In this example, the bassoon is used as a solo instrument to convey specific emotion in the listener as well as help tell the story that is embedded in the music. Listen to the amount of sound that this musician is able to get out of his instrument, not only in volume, but in tone as well. He has great vibrato which helps him sound like he is singing through his instrument.
Possibly one of the most famous classical bassoon excerpts is from Rimsky Korsakov's Scheherezade. Many composers use the bassoon because of it's very unique tone and timbre which can be blended with many instruments to create unique sounds. In this example, the bassoon is used as a solo instrument to convey specific emotion in the listener as well as help tell the story that is embedded in the music. Listen to the amount of sound that this musician is able to get out of his instrument, not only in volume, but in tone as well. He has great vibrato which helps him sound like he is singing through his instrument.
Alto Sax
Tenor Sax
Baritone Sax
EWI (Electronic Wind Instrument)
Trumpet
Adolph "Bud" Herseth
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra contains one of the worlds finest Brass Sections. It has a rich history of acquiring some of the most important and talented brass players, and has its own characteristic Sound. Adolph Herseth, along with other members of the CSO brass section, created what is considered to be the model of Symphonic Brass sound. Adolph Herseth is famous for rarely missing a note. In this video, Herseth is playing a solo in one of Gustav Mahler's most famous Symphonies (his 5th symphony). This is one of the best examples of the Classical Trumpet style.
The Chicago Symphony Orchestra contains one of the worlds finest Brass Sections. It has a rich history of acquiring some of the most important and talented brass players, and has its own characteristic Sound. Adolph Herseth, along with other members of the CSO brass section, created what is considered to be the model of Symphonic Brass sound. Adolph Herseth is famous for rarely missing a note. In this video, Herseth is playing a solo in one of Gustav Mahler's most famous Symphonies (his 5th symphony). This is one of the best examples of the Classical Trumpet style.
Wynton Marsalis
Wynton Marsalis is one of the most influential trumpet players of the 20th century. He has masterd both ends of the horn (jazz and classical playing). He continues to push of what is considered "classical" music, and what is "Jazz". This is a video from one of his most famous albums - Live at the House of Tribes.
Wynton Marsalis is one of the most influential trumpet players of the 20th century. He has masterd both ends of the horn (jazz and classical playing). He continues to push of what is considered "classical" music, and what is "Jazz". This is a video from one of his most famous albums - Live at the House of Tribes.
Ronald Romm
Ronald Romm is currently on faculty at the University of Illinois, and was a founding member of the Canadian Brass, which has been one of the most influential chamber music groups in the music world of all time. Mr. Dobbeck spent four years studying with Professor Romm, and was truly inspired after each and every lesson. This is a video of Ronald Romm playing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", at Fred Mills' (another founding Canadian Brass member) memorial service, when he passed away in 2009.
Ronald Romm is currently on faculty at the University of Illinois, and was a founding member of the Canadian Brass, which has been one of the most influential chamber music groups in the music world of all time. Mr. Dobbeck spent four years studying with Professor Romm, and was truly inspired after each and every lesson. This is a video of Ronald Romm playing "Somewhere Over the Rainbow", at Fred Mills' (another founding Canadian Brass member) memorial service, when he passed away in 2009.
French Horn
Dale Clevenger
In his prime, Dale Clevenger was arguably the best orchestral french horn player in the World. Clevenger is the principal Horn of the World Famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Chicago Symphony Brass Section is believed to be the model for Orchestral Brass Section sound. Listen to this excerpt from Gustav Mahler's Fifth Symphony, and focus on how "big" Clevenger's sound is. Watch how he effortlessly plays each excerpt.
In his prime, Dale Clevenger was arguably the best orchestral french horn player in the World. Clevenger is the principal Horn of the World Famous Chicago Symphony Orchestra. The Chicago Symphony Brass Section is believed to be the model for Orchestral Brass Section sound. Listen to this excerpt from Gustav Mahler's Fifth Symphony, and focus on how "big" Clevenger's sound is. Watch how he effortlessly plays each excerpt.
The Berlin Philharmonic Horn Section
Perhaps one of the finest orchestral horn sections in the world, the Berlin Philharmonic Horn Section plays regularly as an ensemble when they are not playing with the orchestra. The French Horn is one of the most versatile brass instruments in the brass family. It has a dynamic range and can achieve many different colors for effects. Listen to the exreme HIGH and LOW sounding horns as well as the various MUTED sounds throughout this piece.
Perhaps one of the finest orchestral horn sections in the world, the Berlin Philharmonic Horn Section plays regularly as an ensemble when they are not playing with the orchestra. The French Horn is one of the most versatile brass instruments in the brass family. It has a dynamic range and can achieve many different colors for effects. Listen to the exreme HIGH and LOW sounding horns as well as the various MUTED sounds throughout this piece.
The Vienna Philharmonic Horn Section
The Vienna Horns are another group of outstanding musicians and horn players. They come from a rich tradition of horn making and playing, and achieve what most professionals consider to be the premier model of impeccable tone and technique. Listen to this unique arrangement of Back to the Future. Like the Berlin Philharmonic Horn Section, this is a great example of extreme ranges and the versatility of the French Horn.
The Vienna Horns are another group of outstanding musicians and horn players. They come from a rich tradition of horn making and playing, and achieve what most professionals consider to be the premier model of impeccable tone and technique. Listen to this unique arrangement of Back to the Future. Like the Berlin Philharmonic Horn Section, this is a great example of extreme ranges and the versatility of the French Horn.