Sound Analysis
The Klezmer song I am analyzing for this project is a “Mazel Tov Wedding Song”
performed using a Clarinet and Violin. This piece is pretty traditional because originally Klezmer
was performed using only the clarinet, violin and the cymbalon because they were known as the
“quieter” instruments. Jewish musicians were forbidden in some areas to perform with
instruments that were considered louder. The clarinet has very distinctive well known timbres
depending on the register the musician uses to play on the instrument. The register used
throughout this song was the altissimo because this region of the instrument is used to play high
notes and throughout the entire song, the pitch was very high. Starting at 0:11, the music begins
to move at a very fast and high toned pace which creates a very light-hearted and joyful timbre.
Typically, Klezmer Music is performed at events where dancing is likely to take place so
this genre of music tends to be very light hearted and easy to dance too which explains why
listeners describe the timbre of Klezmer to be very joyful. Throughout the song, there is a wide
range of high pitches which additionally helps to create the upbeat and joyful tempo.
Additionally, this song is pretty much played in free rhythm because there isn’t a regular pattern