Klarinet Archive - Posting 000157.txt from 1999/04

From: Note Staff Unlimited <notestaff@-----.ch>
Subj: Re: [kl] Material vs. Belief?
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 19:44:43 -0500

Dear Klarineters,

The discussion about materials interested me enough to get out of "lurk-mode"
for the time being.

As for the experiment (better word here than "proof") of dampening the barrel
whilst playing, I wonder how many people have actually *tried it
themselves*... Most of us do not have artificial blowing machines (Tony Pay
has descibed one) but if you are really serious about *learning* from the
experiment of dampening a part of the clarinet whilst playing, may I offer
the following suggestions:

1) The player should be blindfolded or at least close his/her eyes. (Small
move towards objectivity)
2) The bell of the clarinet could rest on an immovable object so as not to be
more effected than neccesary by the barrel-grabber. (Although this could also
be a further, undesirable variable...)
3) The barrel grabber could grab and let go several times in succession
whilst the player holds the tone(s). Different registers could be tried out.
(My experience is that the experiment works better with players who don't
apply too much pressure on the keys/instrument - so open G would be a good
note to use for starters)
4) The barrel grabber (I'm starting to kinda like that word...) could try to
fool the (blindfolded) player by applying pressure with only two fingers and
then with the whole hand.

These are all suggestions to approach objectivity. No claim on getting
anywhere near it. But the results might just give food for thought........

Ever since (years ago) I saw and heard Kato Havas do this with a violin in
one of her master classes and that with stunning effect, I have used this
"experiment" on pupils to convince them not to grab the clarinet or saxophone
with undue force. By the way, on the saxophone, it works quite well at the
bell.

Being sensitized by Kato's courses, I was immediately open to trying
Resonance Spectral Tuning (which I have mentioned in earlier posts) on my
instruments. The results of this procedure have been scientifically measured
at the Braunhofer Institut here in Germany with artificially held and bowed
violins.

No religion at all here!

Best regards,

David
David Glenn
notestaff@-----.ch

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