Klarinet Archive - Posting 000019.txt from 2000/05

From: CmdrHerel@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Bells & whistles
Date: Tue, 2 May 2000 07:38:30 -0400

In a message dated 5/1/00 12:54:05 AM Eastern Daylight Time,
Paulplaysclarinet@-----.com writes:

<< I think that the bell also affects the overtone series in each of your
notes... I read somewhere that the overtones on the clarinet get
progressively flatter the higher you go, and that is the reason that when
you play louder, you tend to go flat: as your total volume increases, so
does the volume of flat overtones. Apparently one of the reasons for this
is the shape of the bell. I wonder if a bell could be shaped to reduce the
flatness of the overtones without compromising the unique timbre of the
instrument. I tried to test the overtone thing without a bell, (louder
notes still went flat) but I think that that test is flawed because the
instrument isn't the length it was designed to be and was out of tune with
itself. >>

The overtone series of the clarinet has little to do with the bell, and much
to do with the general shape and method of tone production of the instrument.
(That of a cylindrical pipe closed at one end.)

The general purpose of a bell on any instrument is to radiate the sound
outward. Since the clarinet radiates throughout its body (unlike a brass
instrument in which all the air goes through the bell) the effect of the bell
shape is less significant. Yes, of course you hear a difference if you take
the bell *off* and yes, the shape will effect the tone on the long notes like
E and B.

Where there's room for experimentation, you can bet that it's been done -
There has indeed been some work done on bell shape. Unfortunately I don't
have that information here, since all I want the bell for is to make a pencil
holder out of, and I'm not taking mine off the instrument since I can't hold
it in my knees without a bell without closing off the little side key things
which make low G's sound like low E's and then I'll get fired. Then I'd have
to work at Dunkin Donuts for a living which would lead to severe obesity and
caffeine addiction.

Teri Herel

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