Klarinet Archive - Posting 000110.txt from 1994/10

From: Dick Williams <dwilliams@-----.EDU>
Subj: "resonators"
Date: Wed, 12 Oct 1994 15:23:36 -0400

I have recently seen the word resonantor used in reference to the
washer shaped devices (usually of metal or plastic) which are in
the middle of the pads of a saxophone (or on some low clarinets and
flutes). I had thought they were to provide mechanical support for
the large pads; evidently they have some effect on tonal quality.
They are available (perhaps as an option) on the Leblanc Concerto.

Seems a general question: what is the effect of the pad material
(plastic, fish skin, cork, metal resonator, leather) on the tone
produced from that tone hole? (If there is an effect.)