Journal Article

Ronald Caravan and his Excursions for A Clarinet

Wohletz, Jeremy

2025

Overview

Jeremy Wohletz interviews extended-technique pioneer Ronald Caravan and offers performance strategies for his unaccompanied work Excursions for A Clarinet (1974). Any advice on practicing the following techniques within the piece: timbre variation, microtones, multiphonics, chance elements (\"x\" note heads, directional arrow, boxes), humming while playing? RC: [...]1 dare say that a prerequisite to several of the unconventional playing techniques is developing the ability to bend upper-register notes (high C, B, A, even G) downward (as much as a third or fourth) using just oral-cavity manipulation (i.e., extreme tongueposition adjustment) as well as developing the ability to focus the air in such a way as to produce the first three or four overtones above low Bb and other fundamentals in the vicinity, using breath attack for each overtone (no tonguing). The Excursions has several places where a high degree of flexibility in tone production is essential, especially the upward portamento gestures and, of course, the special air focus required to produce and balance the pitch content of the multiphonics (understanding that some of the pitches will be naturally more prominent than others; we speak here of optimal balance, not \"perfect\" as though striking a chord on a piano).

• Publisher: International Clarinet Association
• Subject: Clarinet music / Musicians & conductors / Playing techniques / Repertoire / Solo performances