Klarinet Archive - Posting 000552.txt from 1996/02

From: Richard Spittel <ContraReed@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Clarinet 12ths?
Date: Sun, 18 Feb 1996 09:47:29 -0500

In a message dated 96-02-17 17:14:43 EST, you write:

>What are "12ths" on a clarinet?
>
>Is this the 12th harmonic? I read that the unique clarinet
>voice is caused by the instrument resonating at only the odd harmonics.
>(see Clarinet in the Encyclopedia Britannica)

"12ths" on a clarinet refer to the musical interval of a twelf. Since the
nature of the clarinet (single reed and cylindrical bore) dampen the even
harmonics, only the odd ones come out. Confused? Every musical tone is
comprised of a fundamental pitch and its overtones. If you know anything
about playing brass instruments, you know that there are a lot of notes which
can be played using no valves. These are the notes in the overtone series.
The first few of these are 1) the note itself, 2) an octave higher, 3) a
fifth above that, 4) a fourth above that, 5) a major third above, 6) a minor
third above 7) a (very) minor third above, 8) (and beyond) major and minor
seconds). Since the clarinet only plays the ODD number harmonics, using one
fingering, and causing the air column to divide by using the register key
give you a note one octave and a fifth above the lower note (ex. three finger
"C" with register key give three finger "High G" - the seven-finger c isn't
there) (an octave(8) and a fifth(5) equal a 12th) Yeah, I know, my math
really got confused on that one too.

Incidentally, all of the other woodwinds do use the octave for overblowing,
not the twelf.

Hope this helps somewhat.

Richard Spittel Baltimore, MD