Klarinet Archive - Posting 000210.txt from 1993/11

From: Tom Ascher <U15310@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Clarinet sound
Date: Sun, 28 Nov 1993 19:29:00 -0500

Cary,

Thanks for your response on the relative components of clarinet sound. Your
relative emphasis seems right to me, based on my limited knowledge of
the instrument, but my somewhat better understanding of the physics employed.
The sound is produced primarily by the resonating column of air within the
instrument, somewhat less from the vibration of the wood (or plastic) of
the instrument. So, it seems that the primary contributor to the sound is
the shape of the sound column within the instrument, and somewhat by the
material of the instrument itself (by which I include the material and
shape of the reed and mouthpiece). I also suspect that a lot of what
differentiates clarinets is the ease of play and the intonation, which is
something that a good clarinetist can hide from the audience, but which will
be apparent to the one playing. And yes, just because this is a holiday
weekend doesn't mean that there aren't others of us lurking, and learning
from this very informative and friendly exchange!

Tom Ascher Bitnet: u15310=uicvm
Associate Director, Data Resources Internet: u15310@-----.edu
University of Illinois at Chicago Phone: (312) 413-3665