Klarinet Archive - Posting 000790.txt from 2000/08

From: Bilwright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Plastic, wood and the G hole
Date: Thu, 24 Aug 2000 22:11:04 -0400

<><><> Bill Wright wrote:
An interesting demonstration would be to set up a machine that produces
a tone by blowing into a simple tube of some sort.

<><> Rien=A0Stein wrote:
In my opinion, this would not be the best test. A better test would be
to make a few instruments with exactly the same (inner) dimensions

The purpose behind my suggestion was "Little steps for little feet."

The experiment that you describe would be too difficult and too
expensive. Nobody is going to attempt it. You can't form exactly the
same shapes in metal as you can in wood, nor can anybody place his or
her fingers _exactly_ the same way twice while simultaneously forming
_exactly_ the same embouchure and using _exactly_ the same amount of
breath, and so forth.

So my suggestion is "Little steps for little feet." Use a simple
tube with no holes and the simplest possible air pump and 'mouth' and so
forth.

If this simple setup shows that material makes a difference, then a
basic principle is proved. We will not have proved how _significant_
the effect is. Only that it exists in the case of a simple tube.
Perhaps the effect is insignificant compared to all the other variables
of a complete instrument and its player.
If the effect exists, does it increase if we add resistance to the
tube, either by restriction of the tube or by an acoustic change such as
opening one hole in the tube at the wrong place?

....but as I say, little steps for little feet. First, let's
tackle a question that we have a realistic hope of answering. And then
take one small step towards a more complex question.

Cheers,
Bill

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