Klarinet Archive - Posting 000567.txt from 2002/04
From: "Jay Webler" <webler1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Prestige RC vs. Prestige R13
Date: Fri, 19 Apr 2002 14:59:13 -0400
(Please read completely before responding)
This problem could probably be solved by the same rating system that are
used for speaker systems.
By using a frequency analyzer you can rate the frequency range for each note
on the Clarinet. Since the frequency analyzer will pick up the over tones
and undertones. A Clarinet with more overtones can be called bright and a
Clarinet with weaker overtones can be called dark. Then you can rate the
Clarinet with every time of mouthpiece, embouchure and reed available. Once
this is done we can just look at a chart (if are capable of lifting it) and
choose our Clarinet based upon the frequency ratings.
But, alas we find that this would not solve the problem either. In the
Audio world you see specks like 60-20,000 HZ + or - 3 dB. But if you were
to compare two manufacturers with the same ratings you would hear two
different qualities. This problem exists because of things I don't want to
take up the time here to discuss, but this is the reason I think we end up
using terms which are not as precise.
But there is another issue I think that we forget when we use these terms,
or make a decision based upon what the instrument sounds like in our own
mouths. Say we find an instrument that has the "dark" sound we like. How
is that instrument going to perform in a real life situation. Will that
instrument be able to project (sorry Tom Rindenour) in a concert hall as
well as an instrument with a "brighter" sound. I know an individual who
switched to another brand of Clarinet that sounded louder when he played it.
But when he took to play in a show the sound technician had to put the
microphone closer in order to get the same volume that was given from the
previous instrument.
The other day I heard a student of mine that is using a very old Buffet
Clarinet. (Pre R13). In the lessons he has a "bright" sound. Part of the
reason is the students embouchure. When he uses a more correct embouchure
his sound becomes fuller. At the concert I found his sound much more
pleasant than the other Clarinets. I.E. his tonal quality was different in
and auditorium than in an acoustically dead lesson room.
In the drum world many young drummers try to eliminate the annoying ring of
a snare drum not realizing that this ring helps to project the sound of the
snare when a band is playing fortissimo. Often, that annoying ring is never
heard past the conductor. Trying to remove that ring sound actually cuts
the power of the drum (perhaps desirable to some). (If really want to go
nuts about bright and dark, sit around while a percussionist is trying to
find the exact beater triangle combination).
It light of all of this I believe we stuck with imprecise terms. But we
can, through trial and error and listening more, pick and instrument that
would satisfy both the player and the group that he/she is playing in.
Finally, no matter what terms you use; and no matter how hard you try to
find that perfect sounding Clarinet, somebody will come along and say, "I
thought your G sounded to bright on the 15 measure, 3rd beat, of that
Concerto you just played".
I personally stray away from trying describe my sound. I listen for and
adjust my embouchure to achieve the sound that I believe projects the best.
Oops! another imprecise term.
Jay Webler
Jay's Clarinet and Percussion
----- Original Message -----
From: "Daniel Leeson" <leeson0@-----.net>
Subject: Re: [kl] Prestige RC vs. Prestige R13
> Chastine, you are too nice a person for me to toy with, and I was being
> inexcusably obtuse and rude in trying to lure you into a place where you
> should not go. I apologize for having done so, because that is exactly
> where you went.
>
> Now having said that (and with absolute sincerity, no kidding), I have
> to add that I see you as a victim of a disease known as meaningless
> clarinet terminologitis. Referring to sound character of a clarinet
> with expressions that have little meaning and certainly no definition
> whatsoever, you have succumbed to using descriptions that are, in my
> opinion, useless.
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