Klarinet Archive - Posting 000463.txt from 1998/08

From: "Tim Roberts" <timr@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Clarinet Material Revisited
Date: Mon, 17 Aug 1998 16:22:42 -0400

Just when I thought the issue was largely settled in the opposite direction,
along comes my July/August edition of The Clarinet magazine, with an article by
Lee Gibson which opens with a blanket statement that the material of which a
clarinet body is made makes a difference in the instrument's sound.

I'm confused by this article. He offers no facts or references at all to back
up this statement. He even goes on to say that independent "blind" tests find
no discernable difference between wood and metal clarinets, which is what I
understand.

So where does his premise come from? Is he just furthering the myth? Is this
wishful thinking? Or could Mr. Gibson have access to some as yet unpublished
research results?

(I meant that in a respectful tone, although I fear it doesn't sound so. I've
tried wording it several different ways. I apologize if I have offended.)

--
- Tim Roberts, timr@-----.com
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.

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