Klarinet Archive - Posting 000422.txt from 1995/09

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: Undertones
Date: Tue, 19 Sep 1995 20:18:02 -0400

>There were a series of interesting posts a while ago on this subject.
>
>In the recent posts, I am a bit surprised that no one has mentioned air
>flow and speed. The mechanics are important, but if the air is not going
>fast enough and at the appropriate volume, the partila will not speak.
>
>If any of youse guys out there have your excellent old posts on this
>subject, send them again. Niethamer, you listening?
>
>=========================================
>David Bourque
>Bass Clarinet, Toronto Symphony Orchestra
>Internet: bassethn@-----.org
>=========================================
>
>
>---
> * Freddie 1.2.5 * Symphonic Music is a GREAT PRODUCT--Managements Must Sell It
> As Such!!

I hate to contradict, but the undertones are not a function of airspeed.

If a certain airspeed were required to play the notes without an undertone,
then it would be impossible to play the notes from niente, which, of
course, requires the lowest possible (approaching zero) airspeed.

I'm not sure what you mean by volume. The volume of airflow (which I
suppose you would measure as cubic centimeters of air per second flowing
into the mouthpiece), is related to loudness of the sound and the amount of
focused pressure on the reed. If we assume a good embouchure with the
right amount of pressure (not too much, not too little), then the volume of
air will be related only to loudness.

Of course, with too little pressure, or an out of focus embouchure, one can
put much air through the instrument and generate very little resonant
musical sound (just a lot of white noise, and other unpleasantries).

But once again, I come back to the fact that getting rid of undertones
really has nothing to do with airspeed.

------------------------

Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net