Klarinet Archive - Posting 000875.txt from 1995/05

From: Laura R Bornhoeft <lbornhoe@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Terminology: brass or woodwind
Date: Wed, 31 May 1995 17:49:23 -0400

On Tue, 30 May 1995, Ed Pearlstein wrote:

> There has been some discussion here over just what is to be called
> a "brass" instrument, and what is to be called "woodwind". Among
> acousticians, the distinction is made by what the primary vibrator
> is: If it's the lips of the player, the instrument is called brass.
> If it's a reed, or an air jet (as in the flutes), then the instrument is
> called a woodwind. (Note that under these definitions, the pipe organ
> would be called a woodwind.) In the brass instruments, the vibrator (lips)
> is very massive, and therefore exerts a larger control over the pitch
> than in the case of the woodwinds, where the vibrator is comparatively
> light. (Note that it's very hard to play bugle calls, no fingers changed,
> on a clarinet!)
>

I have a vague memory of being able to play bugle calls by closing all
holes/keys (except possibly the register key) and stopping the bell against
my leg. It was then relatively easy to produce an overtone series. It
certainly wasn't loud enough to wake an army.

But that was years ago when I was a kid. Now I wonder if that was
unhealthy for the reed.

Laura Bornhoeft