Klarinet Archive - Posting 000195.txt from 2000/03

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Clarinet Pitch...PLEASE READ THIS...
Date: Mon, 6 Mar 2000 00:07:40 -0500

In a message dated 3/5/00 12:39:07 PM Central Standard Time,
Middup@-----.com writes:

<<
As far as I can tell the external lengths of my old B40 and the B40 - 13 are
the same but there is clearly an internal difference as the length of the
window (slot) is approximately 30.5 mm on the B40 but 32 mm on the B40 -
13. I do not have the equipment to measure other dimensions with any
accuracy. >>

According to Benade, Lee Gibson, and my own observations, clarinet pitch is
determined by the total VOLUME of the bore of the mouthpiece and the barrel.

The total length of the mouthpiece is largely irrelevant.

The length of the window affects the vibration of the reed, but has little
effect on pitch.

NOW....why do I say volume? Because the respective bores have different
widths and tapers depending on the source.

In every clarinet mouthpiece, the bore expands at least a mm from top to
bottom. This plus the length of the bore determine the pitch of the
mouthpiece. DO NOT ASSUME that these measurements are consistent.

I have mouthpieces where the bore measures 53 mm, others where it measures 56
or 57 mm. It is also VERY true that no two mouthpieces have exactly the same
internal amount of taper or start at exactly the same measurement.

Measuring the internals of mouthpieces is a TEDIOUS activity. From exactly
the same manufacturer the exit bore, and the top of the bore, can vary by as
much as .05 mm.

Then add the barrel to this complexity. IT IS NOT JUST LENGTH that makes a
difference. I have ten barrels upstairs. Not one has the same internal taper
(almost all barrels taper from a larger to a smaller bore. Even my old R-13
barrels have a slight taper. My Buffet "Moennig" has a larger taper.

The total interior volume of the barrel will affect pitch, not JUST the
length of the bore. Also, different interior SHAPES will affect tuning of
different registers.

Just some of the stuff I have learned in the past few months.
Walter Grabner

http://www.clarinetxpress.com
Hand Crafted Clarinet Mouthpieces:
Bb/A, Eb, Bass
Clarinet Reed Making Kit
"Making Clarinet Reeds By Hand"

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