Klarinet Archive - Posting 000160.txt from 1999/04

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Wood/plastic, etc...
Date: Sat, 3 Apr 1999 19:44:46 -0500

On Sat, 3 Apr 1999, Mark Charette wrote:
> Which has absolutely no place in a physical materials discussion.

scuse me if I disagree........in my opinion, it has a very prominent
place.

> If, using an artificial embouchure, we experiment with 3 clarinets made
> of totally different materials yet constructed identically (or as
> identically as possible) and there is no measurable (or perceptible by
> trained human ears, whatever "training" may mean) difference in the
> sound, we can reliably say that there is no measurable (in any way we
> define "measurable", since we've used the term already) difference in
> sound. QED. No need for metaphysics.

yada yada yada.....so go to a performance of the Mozart Concerto with an
artificial machine playing it. You missed the entire meaning of the post.

> Now, whether or not you'd want to play on any of these instruments is,
> indeed, subjective. But that's not the point at all. The question is and
> remains "do the materials have any measurable effect on the sound?" and
> the answer has been (and is) "no", whether you or I _wish_ there to be a
> difference.

The answer is a qualified yes. Makes no difference to me if you or I wish
for there to be a difference. It has no bearing on the issue I discussed
- which you ignored.

> Now, if you want to argue that using an artificial embouchure
> invalidates the test, then no test would suit you (other than perhaps
> your own very subjective "feeling" when you played the clarinets), and
> that, sir, is bad science.

depends on your definition of science.......sir.

Roger Garrett
Professor of Clarinet
Director - Concert Band, Symphonic Winds & Titan Band
Advisor - Recording Studio
Illinois Wesleyan University

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