(Re)Phrasing—Shaping Music with Modern Instruments

Many perspectives exist on phrasing, ranging from language and emotion to physics and geometry. Phrasing is closely tied to how we interact with our instruments, which in turn connects to how these instruments are constructed. Like most woodwind instruments, the clarinet has undergone centuries of technical refinements and innovations, resulting in the instruments we use today. The development has generally moved toward greater evenness across the registers, increased volume, and enhanced projection. Modern playing methodology is equally focused on evening out the instrument's idiosyncrasies, aiming to give every note across the registers the same shape. In this project, I explore how these playing methodologies and material properties influence my interaction with the instrument and, consequently, my phrasing.