Klarinet Archive - Posting 000322.txt from 1997/05

From: Martin Marks <mmarks@-----.net>
Subj: Re: Experimenting with Bells
Date: Sat, 10 May 1997 00:07:37 -0400

At 06:04 PM 5/9/97 -0400, you wrote:
>I may be digging up old threads here. But has anybody out there experimented
>with different bells on their clarinets? I have found that switching them
>produces quite a difference. I know that the mouthpiece designer - Clark
>Fobes has mentioned this but I haven't heard any follow up.
>
>It seems that the R13 bell on my LeBlanc LX sounds quite different. But skews
>the tuning of the B/E. Has anyone with a LeBlanc tried the "pocket bell"? If
>so how do you describe the difference?
>
>I remember a while ago at the U of M people talking about finding the exact
>rotation that sounds best on their bell, drilling a hole in the bell etc.
>etc. I don't believe I am consistent enough of a player to feel the
>difference in rotation myself. But I try from time to time. Do people still
>do this?
>
>Jerry Korten
>NYC
>
>I have found that by rotating my bell I can lower the pitch and concentrate
the sound on the
bell tones B and C. Rotating the barrel and mouthpiece also makes a
difference. Try it on
an open G and you will hear the sound change as you change positions.

Marty Marks
Miami