Klarinet Archive - Posting 000164.txt from 1993/11

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re reeds and sound quality (or is it character?)
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 20:35:43 -0500

I have read a number of postings that have to do with reeds.
Several of them have been explicit with the assertion that
the quality (or character - sometimes it is not clear) is
a direct function of the reed and only the reed, all other
things being of only minor importance. I don't mean to put
my words in other people's mouths but that is the way their
postings read, though no so black and white as I have put it
to make my point quickly.

I would like to suggest that the character of the sound of
a clarinet is influenced by many factors, most of them in
minor ways and that includes the reed. Someone said that
Schifrin would sound wonderful playing on a lousy reed on
a Bundy resonite clarinet and that IS a statement that I
agree with.

The reason why I agree is that the quality of sound is mostly
influenced by an item over which none of us have any control;
namely the nature of our heads the rest of our bodies. The
body is what makes the sound character, not the reed.

It is true that it is difficult to get any sound at all with
a reed of a certain nature, but given one that plays even
vaguely correctly, the sound that is produced is a function
of the sinus cavities of the head and the nature of the
chest.

Certainly the reed has an influence, to be sure; as does the
mouthpiece. But, once the air column leaves the mouth the
character of the sound is, fundamentally established.

I do not intend to create a flame on this issue, but I did
feel it necessary to note that - all things being equal - playing
a clarinet is a lot like singing, though the sound producing box
is not in the throat. It is at the front of the mouth. But,
like a singer, the body determines the character of the sound.

That is why Pavarotti sounds like Pavarotti and not like some
other tenor. And, for the same principle, that is why Cohen
of Cleveland sounds like Cohen of Cleveland and not like some
other clarinet player.

While I recognize the importance of good reeds, I think that
one goes too far when the character of the sound of the instrument
is asserted to be a function of the quality of the reed.

This is, of course, my opinion. I am always anxious to hear
other opinions. Who knows? Perhaps I can get information to
make me rethink the matter.

====================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
(leeson@-----.edu)
====================================