Klarinet Archive - Posting 000037.txt from 1994/05

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Clarinet materials and Fobes posting
Date: Tue, 3 May 1994 09:53:03 -0400

Clark, you may not be aware but you can request past postings and
in this way catch up on discussion that you missed. If you got the
REFCARD (per our discussion) it mentions getting previous postings.

And yes, we had a lively and exciting discussion about materials for
which I am sorry you were not yet with us. In fact, although many
disparate views were presented, everyone was constructive in the
discussion and each person who posted was careful to give every other
view on the subject some licence, even if the party was not in agreement
with it. The discussion caused me to make a posting that complimented
everyone on making what could have become a hostile and unpleasant
discussion into a fascinating one.

There was also a discussion, though at a different time, about the
subject of "blowing out of clarinets" on which you have very strong
views but they are based almost exclusively on your opinion. I do not
want you to think that I would reject your opinion simply because it
was that, but I don't accept either and for the same reasons. So zinging
me on KLARINET will get you no further than zinging me in person on the
same subject. You will be ignored and my bills to you will not be paid!

One of the most important threads that went through the discussion
of character of sound of a clarinet had to do with an assertion
that, in a blind test, and under controlled conditions, it would
not be possible to identify wooden clarinets from metal clarinets from
hard rubber from graphite from glass from bamboo, etc. It is not
my intention to replay those arguments but that test has not been run
in support of or in contradiction of this assertion and until it is,
I am in difficulty accepting opinions, this in spite of and in the face of
your experience.

There was also the contrast of the clarinetist and the singer, with the
latter having the instrument both inside their body and part of their
body, with amplifcation and resonance due to a great extent from
body shape, chest formation, and head cavities. The clarinet player
seems, to a great extent, to duplicate many of those same physical
phenomena which would imply that the sound of a clarinet is mostly
formed when the air excites the read but not afterwards.

And if you made such great barrels, where the hell is the one you
promised me for my E-flat clarinet?? Zing me again and you will
overhaul both of my clarinets at a seriously reduced fee.

I am just a simple country boy and you, you city slicker from Fresno
or Bakersfield or someplace, are simply taking advantage of my lack
of experience and innate shyness.

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