Klarinet Archive - Posting 000077.txt from 1999/07

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] sax trouble
Date: Sun, 4 Jul 1999 00:17:18 -0400

Actually I suspect that the reason the low clarinet notes speak easily goes
right back to the same acoustical phenomenon that gives the clarinet its own
character. The clarinet is the ONLY one of these instruments that
acoustically functions like a cylindrical pipe closed at one end even though
it is not a perfect cylinder. Thus the chalumeau note sounded on a clarinet
takes only 1/2 the tube length that the same, concert pitch note would
require on any of the others.

The flute functions acoustically as a cylindrical pipe open at both ends.
The sax functions as a conical pipe driven by a single beating reed.
The oboe functions as a conical pipe driven by a double beating reed.

The characteristic clarinet sound derives from its acting acoustically as a
cylindrical pipe closed at one end driven by a single beating reed. This is
why plastic, wood, and metal clarinets all sound like clarinets rather than
any other instrument.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

-----Original Message-----
From: MARY A. VINQUIST <kenshaw@-----.com>
Date: Saturday, July 03, 1999 9:13 PM
Subject: Re: [kl] sax trouble

On getting out low notes on saxophone, Kevin Fay wrote:

>To assist you in getting these notes out, you should explore a technique
>known as "spanking." In order to assist the generation of vibration in
the
>air column, you slap a pad down at the instant of attack. For a low C,
for
>example, you would "spank" the low C key at the same time as you release
the
>reed with your tongue. This lightens the "load" of the reed in creating
>vibrations in the air column, making the response exactly that much
easier.
>Sax, flute & oboe players regularly use this technique; I don't know why
>clarinetists in general do not.

Mostly because it's unnecessary. The low notes on clarinet, unlike
those on sax, flute and oboe, begin easily and without any tendency
to crack or go to the second register.

On flute, the "spank" key is usually the left ring finger, since it closes
two
pads. A friend who studied flute with Kinkaid says his spank was
deafening.

I've tried spanking on clarinet and found that it didn't do very much, even
on the large keys at the bottom. Possible reasons:

-- on sax and flute, the tone holes are large in comparison with the bore.
-- sax and flute pads are seated on metal rims, which close with a "pop"
-- sax and flute tone holes are very close to the inside of the bore and
thus a spank has a more direct effect on the air in the bore
-- clarinet tone holes are deep and often undercut, thus muting any
effect of spanking on the air in the bore
-- sax, flute and oboe keys are mainly plateau style, and pads have a
harder surface than skin, resulting in more resonance from a spank

Finally, the metal bodies of sax and flute may vibrate from a vigorous
spank. Perhaps this is one time when the material does make a difference.

OK. Firproof suit time.

Ken Shaw

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