Klarinet Archive - Posting 001037.txt from 1998/02

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Clarinet as a Tuning Instrument
Date: Sat, 28 Feb 1998 21:53:44 -0500

Ok Folks, My first big question to the listserv, and it is an interesting
one:

A Brass instrument is called a C, Eb, F, etc tuning instrument because of
the lowest fundamental pitch it sounds. For example, an F horn is called
an F horn because the lowest fundamental pitch it sounds is an F.....of
which all the overtones are based. An Eb Horn.....same thing. An Eb or
BBb tuba...same thing. A Db trumpet...same thing.

A Bb clarinet, on the other hand, is based on the fingered C which sounds
a Bb concert. Now....why is it not called a D clarinet because it's
lowest sounding pitch is a Concert D? The overtone series does not impact
in any way....it could vibrate at 12ths, 13ths. 5ths, whatever......

What about saxophones? An eb alto has a lowest fundamental pitch of a Bb
(Db concert)...why is it not a Db instrument?

My reason for asking? A friend called me up after 10 years and asked, and
I couldn't answer his question....but I told him I would ask on this
listserv.....please...help me help him find an answer!!!

Roger Garrett
IWU

   
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