Klarinet Archive - Posting 000456.txt from 1996/09

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: clarinet & piano
Date: Fri, 20 Sep 1996 18:32:34 -0400

On Fri, 20 Sep 1996, Fogle, Bill wrote:

> I don't think I really like the sound of the clarinet and
> piano together.

I think this is more than just a matter of preference for certain tone
qualities in combination, but that there are real acoustical reasons for a
degree of incompatibility between the piano and the clarinet. The same is
true for the bassoon, except that it is even more of a problem for the
bassoon.

I think it relates to the fact that piano accompaniments tend to be
written in about the same range as the solo parts we often play, and so
there are clashes between the frequencies of the two instruments, both at
the pitch of the fundamental and the upper partials. It's not so much a
matter of intonation discrepancies as it is that the partials in the tone
of the piano are strong enough to effectively mask part of the spectrum of
the clarinet sound.

When you play bassoon with piano, it seems that no matter how softly or
tastefully the pianist plays, you are always fighting to cut through the
mass of sound which the piano makes. I have heard recitals where some
pieces are accompanied by piano, while others are for clarinet or bassoon
in combination with other instruments, such as strings or guitar, and
other pieces may be unaccompanied. The difference in the tone quality of
the solo instrument in such a setting is striking.

So, I think you are probably not alone in having this opinion, and there
may be actual physical reasons for it.

Ed Lacy
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Dr. Edwin Lacy University of Evansville
Professor of Music 1800 Lincoln Avenue
Evansville, IN 47722
el2@-----.edu (812)479-2754
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