Klarinet Archive - Posting 000393.txt from 1995/04

From: Fred Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Older clarinets
Date: Sun, 23 Apr 1995 01:43:59 -0400

James,
I have had a clarinet get blown out so I feel I am qualified to
answer your question. What I noticed was that the tone of the instrument
became somewhat shrill and the tuning got sharper and sharper, especially
in the throat tones. The shrillness was a function of, I believe, less
"resonance". It started just sounding unresonant and what was left of the
sound quality was the brightness of the horn which, without the resonance,
was shrillness. Any normal horn should have a warmth and richness. My old
horn doesn't anymore. Also, if anything, it is now LESS resistant and
easier to blow than it ever was. Hope this helps.

Fred Jacobowitz

On Sat, 22 Apr 1995, James Sclater wrote:

> Recently I mentioned to my colleague in the orchestra here that
> there had been some discussion on the list about clarinets being "blown
> out." I asked him if he knew the characteristics of an instrument that had
> been "blown out." His reply indicated that he believed that, if it happens
> at all, one could only tell by comparing one's old clarinet with a new
> one. I would really like to hear some feedback about this. I have two
> clarinets, each of which is between 25 and 35 years old. (I really don't
> know how old they are because I purchased each used...both R-13's.) I
> haven't noticed any glaring changes in the instruments, but then the
> changes, if any, might have occured in a very subtle way over a long
> period of time. Is this a problem of changing resistance?
> If anyone has some thoughts about this, I would be eager to hear
> them. My wife says I'm just looking for an excuse to get a new set of
> clarinets!
>
> James Sclater inet: sclater@-----.edu
> Mississippi College (601)925-3445
> Clinton, MS 39058
>

   
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