Klarinet Archive - Posting 000484.txt from 1995/03

From: Steve Prescott <MIPRESC@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Tone quality; Tone color
Date: Fri, 17 Mar 1995 10:00:30 -0500

Jonathan,

I can only go by what I read. This is what I read - and I think I might
have paraphrased incorrectly: "Since the cutoff frequency can be raised by
increasing the diameter of the finger holes, instruments with large side
holes have a brighter sound than those with small side holes." Maybe this
is what I don't understand... the bit about the side holes. Does it make a
difference if we're talking about side holes or finger holes.

Also stated: "Nevertheless, it has been shown that instruments with high
cutoff frequencies are considered by musicians to have a 'bright' timber,
while those with low cutoff frequencies are felt to be 'dark' in timbre
(Benade 1976)".

Of course ther are other factors involved besides tonehole size. Dynamics,
bore etc. But I think I am confused about the "side holes". Somebody
enlighten me.

The book:

Campbell, Murray, and Greated, Clive. "The Musician's Guide to Acousitcs".
New York: Schirmer, 1988

I understand there is an updated version of Benade. I'll have to read it.
Meanwhile, I had better re-acquaint myself with the old one.

Steve Prescott
Instrument Repair Tech./Clarinetist
Indiana State Univ.
mipresc@-----.edu

   
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