Klarinet Archive - Posting 000786.txt from 2000/03

From: Bilwright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: [kl] REQUEST- Francois Kloc and B&H
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2000 17:00:52 -0500

Most of us have learned (often the hard way) that the way you
phrase a thought makes a huge difference in how others perceive you on
the Internet -- given that body language and facial expression and
(pardon the pun) 'tone' of voice aren't included in an email.
In this respect, Mr. Kloc is at a noticeable disadvantage because
(I believe) his birth language is not the same as the English speakers
here. Obviously I don't know Mr. Kloc personally, but it's easy for me
to imagine that his phrasing conveyed images to some of us that he did
not intend.

That said, I am _intensely_ interested in two questions that I
asked earlier, but nobody has posted an answer (so far as I know). It
seems to me that a clarinet manufacturer would be the best person to
answer these questions. So in the hopes that Mr. Kloc is still
listening, I would like to post them again:

=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0Lelia Loban wrote:
It's not always the beginning clarinet player's fault when the high
notes are sharp and the low notes are flat. @-----.] =A0 The typical
clarinets used by beginners tend to play wide twelfths: sharp above the
break and flat below. @-----.] =A0 One of several reasons
professional-quality clarinets cost more is that extra work goes into
the design and construction to reduce this problem.

=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0For the purpose of this conversation,
let's ignore the really crummy, cheapie clarinets.
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0Suppose I removed all the keywork from my
Yamaha plastic YCL-20A (which most people here describe as a better
quality 'student' instrument), and suppose I did the same with a
top-of-the-line professional wooden clarinet. Then I laid them
side-by-side and carefully measured the length of each instrument, the
distances between holes, and the hole diameters.
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0Will the distances be within 1 or 2 mm of
each other? =A0Or more? Will I be able to measure any difference at all
in the hole diameters with an ordinary ruler?

[NOTE: I fully understand that distance between holes interacts with
bore, undercutting, depth, etc in order to produce the final tone. I'm
asking only about the spacing at this moment.]

=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0And here is a related question: Every time
that clarinetists discuss tone and intonation, they have no choice but
to discuss embouchure, shape of face, diaphragm strength, tongue
position and so forth. *Obviously* I don't mean to dismiss these topics.
They are what makes music what it is -- an art form that transcends math
and physics.
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0But it would be very helpful to have a
constant wind source and reed environment, such that you could compare
(with your ears) the effects of a clarinet's construction. Also, you
wouldn't have to deal with the difference between what the player hears
and what the audience hears -- bone conduction and all the rest of it.
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0Once again, I do not mean that such a
testing device should be the index for choosing an instrument. But it
would be provide extremely useful information, especially to a player
who can't achieve constancy with his or her own body parts.
=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0=A0Do clarinet manufacturers have such a
device? Or does it always come down to the artist in the back room who
puts the instrument to his or her own lips and renders judgement?

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