Klarinet Archive - Posting 000325.txt from 1999/11

From: Don Longacre <nw2v@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] plastic vs wood
Date: Tue, 9 Nov 1999 16:38:03 -0500

On Nov 9th Ed Lacey comments on his experience between plastic and wood
clarinets with the caution of making comparisons like this with all con-
ditions 100% identical to assure differences in the tested value are in-
deed valid.

In my view this is a highly significant statement. Clarinetists are prone
to judge the value of peripheral equipment changes to their instrument
too casually. The cornerstone of science is elimination of variables
that impugn comparative data. If effect A is truly derived from cause
B, all other factors must be rigidly contained. An effect under test
should have a replicate control test running concurrently with ALL elements
identical except the idea being tested and be reproduceable as well.
All else is, for the most part, guesswork.

For some interesting test methodology in clarinet acoustics, see Art
Benade's work, Fundamentals of Musical Acoustics, Dover Press.

Donald Longacre
nw2v@-----.com

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