Klarinet Archive - Posting 000449.txt from 2001/06

From: MVinquist@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: Why Does the Clarinet Act as a Closed Tube When the Bell Is Open?
Date: Thu, 14 Jun 2001 21:31:09 -0400

As Benade explains, and as high-speed photographs show, a vibrating clarinet
reed seals completely along the lay and tip of the mouthpiece and stays
sealed more than 50% of the time. The tube therefore actually *is* closed at
the mouthpiece end more than half the time, and the instrument acts as a
closed tube because of that.

A couple of years ago, there was some discussion about whether the reed seals
at all volume levels. Some people said it didn't seal at all when you play a
soft "subtone," but I've never seen this backed up with pictorial evidence.
Certainly when you move into a "real," centered sound, the reed seals.

Best regards. Flame shields up.

Ken Shaw

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