Klarinet Archive - Posting 000841.txt from 2000/03

From: "Rien Stein" <rstein@-----.nl>
Subj: [kl] measuring instruments
Date: Sat, 25 Mar 2000 20:09:53 -0500

At Thu, 23 Mar 2000 10:00:44 -0800 (PST) Bilwright@-----.net (William
Wright)
wrote

>>
<snip>
And 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.
But 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.
Once 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.
Do 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?
<<

It would be fine indeed if such a device were possible for clarinets. There
are too many parameters, however, to make such device useful. Take only the
difference in reeds of the same brand and strength. Or the minimal
difference in moughpieces and their interaction with the reeds. IMHO the
clarinet is too complicated and too strongly dependent on minute details to
make such a measuring device really useful - unless production tolerances
can be narrowed further than they are nowadays.

My former repairman, Anton Vroom, however, changed from wind instrument
repairs to building mouthpieces for flutes. The first things he constructed
were very exact and precise measuring instruments and an artificial "mouth".
He spent almost two years only taking measurements, before he constructed
his first mouth piece, and apparently with good succes: if you want an Anton
Vroom mouthpiece for your flute, and order it today, it will be delivered in
about two years. And you will have to bring a lot of Euro's with you: he's
not cheap.

Conclusion? Apparently flute mouthpieces are alot simpler, than clarinet
mouthpieces..

Rien

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