Klarinet Archive - Posting 000060.txt from 1997/09

From: Mark Charette <charette@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Harmonic Overtone series
Date: Tue, 2 Sep 1997 10:35:05 -0400

Robert and Deborah Shaw wrote:
> Can someone explain the harmonic overtone series to me in regards to the
> clarinet? I was reading in my music dictionary that the clarinet
> produces only the alternate overtones in the series. I am not sure that
> I understand how the overtone series is constructed. Is there a
> pattern, or do I just need to memorize the notes?

If you check at http://sneezy.mika.com/clarinet/Study/Vibrato.html
you'll find a section on physical properties of the clarinet that may
help, written by Jonathan Cohler. The clarinet deviates significantly
from an ideal straight tube; the clarinet produces a significant
amount of even overtones. I have empirically seen this (not just read
Jonathan's article) by doing a DFT on a sample of clarinet sound;
even overtones were very significant at the 3rd space C (the only
tone I tested, using an uncalibrated mike, though). I
--
Mark Charette Webmaster, http://sneezy.mika.com/clarinet/ - the
MIKA Systems, Inc Clarinet Info Pages . For Klarinet help, send
charette@-----.com