Klarinet Archive - Posting 000286.txt from 1996/09

From: Jonathan Cohler <cohler@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: The Real Deal on Clarinet Tone ("Dark",
Date: Sat, 14 Sep 1996 23:37:20 -0400

I was being brief. The odd harmonics ARE a direct result of the closed-end
AND the cylindrical bore. I've discussed the physics of this in detail in
previous messages (check the archives). A cylindrical bore with both ends
open (such as the flute) has harmonics at all integral multiples of the
fundamental.

The closed end is what creates a pressure anti-node. The open end creates
a pressure node.

It is also true that with a conical bore and closed end one gets all the
integral multiples of the fundamental.

---------------------
Jonathan Cohler
cohler@-----.net

At 2:15 PM 9/5/96, Ian Dilley wrote:
>>Because of the closed-end
>>nature of the clarinet, the harmonics are odd multiples of the fundamental
>>frequency.
>
>This isn't quite true. The closed end nature of the clarinet makes the
>fundamental one octave lower than a flute but I believe that the odd
>multiple effect is due to the (near) cylindrical bore. This is why
>clarinets overblow at a 12th (3 times the fundamental) then a major 6th on
>top of that (5 times the fundamental). Saxophones, oboes, bassoons and
>tarogatos have a closed-end just like a clarinet but have a conical bore.
>Their frequency spectrum contains all the harmonics hence their first
>overblow is at an octave.
>
>There was some discussion about why a clarinet overblows at a 12th some
>time ago on this list. The consensus was that it's down to the cylindrical
>bore but I for one never understood why this makes the difference, only
>that it does. If someone can explain it in a way I can understand I would
>be very grateful. BTW I have read Benade's book (which I think is
>essentail reading for anyone interested in how instruments work) but still
>can't grasp why this effect occurs.

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org