Klarinet Archive - Posting 000021.txt from 1995/05
From: Jon Delorey <Jon_Delorey@-----.COM> Subj: Re: Reasons Date: Mon, 1 May 1995 12:17:17 -0400
Well I've been out of town for I while and my speculation on saliva
deteriorating wood seems to have taken on a life of it's own. Actually the
fact that this might affect the bore of the clarinet is pure speculation, but
occurred to me after reading an article by two researchers looking into the
deterioration of reeds. This article is from the Dec. 14, 1991 Science news
and is about the research of Donald Casadonte at Ohio State (a chemist) and
Clare Lawton (an oboist). The article states there are three mechanisms for
reed deterioration. 1.Saliva being alkaline can form chemical reactions in the
reeds and leach pectin from them. 2.bacteria living inside the water conducting
xylem cells choking the motion. 3.Reeds loose there crystal like nature
through ongoing stress. These research at the time of this article was not
complete, nor are the conclusions.
As far as the speculation on the deterioration of the instrument itself.
Whatever deterioration method is at work it would have to affect the acoustical
properties of the material. I do not see what mechanism could have a large
enough affect to change the acoustical properties of the tube. As a matter of
fact I see little in anything that I have read so far that talks about the
acoustical properties of the material used. Friction in the tube (boundary
layer) and density of the material seem to be the two largest factors, in that
order. I don't believe that these change significantly over time with proper
care. If there are any other factors I am not aware of them.
Jon Delorey==============================================
Jon_Delorey@-----.com
The following is the legal disclaimer:
The opinions expressed here are my own
and not those of TRW Inc.
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