Klarinet Archive - Posting 000115.txt from 1995/06

From: Jay Heiser <jay@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Scott's comments on the B-flat clarinet
Date: Fri, 9 Jun 1995 14:29:25 -0400

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From: Donald B. Kinghorn
Sent: Friday, June 09, 1995 01:20
To: Multiple recipients of list KLARINET
Subject: Re: Scott's comments on the B-flat clarinet

> Point to ponder: guitars are easier to play in # keys. Note
> that guitar players often write music in # keys

>

This is true but:
I like to use heavy strings and tune my guitar down a half step to Eb
so I can get a DARKER! sound ;-)
-Don
I could be wrong, but I don't believe that the examples are parallel. When a
flattop guitar is tuned down, it not only sounds in a different key, but its
acoustic properties are changed. The tension on the soundboard and neck is
reduced, affecting its tonal characteristics.

You'd get an entirely different effect if you made the guitar slightly larger
and tuned it to your favorite pitch, wouldn't you? You can't significantly
change the pitch of a wind instrument without completely resizing it, or you
get tuning problems.

I understand exactly what you mean and agree that the diff is significant. I
prefer concert pitch (I'd tune it up if I thought that the guitar could stand
it) and light phospher bronze strings. I also prefer maple.

   
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