Klarinet Archive - Posting 000046.txt from 2002/11

From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Why Bb? (was: reverse Mozart)
Date: Fri, 1 Nov 2002 13:59:16 -0500

Buckman, Nancy wrote:
> <<<Why did the Bb clarinet emerge as the dominant instrument, especially
> since so many instruments in an orchestra are pitched to concert C?
>
> I'm not certain that was the actual question that was asked, but my answer
> would be that a clarinet pitched in Bb is easier to make play well from a
> physics standpoint. I'm no scientist but I think I said what I intended to
> convey. If it's not correct, then would someone tell me what is? Enquiring
> minds want to know!
>
> Nancy
>
> Nancy E. Buckman, Technical Assistant
> School of Health Professions, Wellness and Physical Education
> Anne Arundel Community College
> Arnold, MD 21012-1895 USA
> Phone 410-777-2316 Fax 410-777-2233
> E-mail nebuckman@-----.edu
>
Nancy, I am not an acoustician and know little about the problems
of producing a clarinet in A as contrasted with a clarinet in B-flat
for example. But I am not prepared to suggest that that's true. My
intuitive response is that it should NOT be more difficult to produce
a clarinet in one pitch as contrasted with another.

Whatever parameters go into making a clarinet of a certain pitch must be
mathematically adjustable to one of a higher or lower pitch. This
appears to be confirmed by the construction of basset horns. One of
the main difficulties is that, as the instrument lengthened, the
early manufacturers did not adjust the bore proportionally. The results
are the difficulties we have today with a narrow bored basset horn,
which is nothing more than a clarinet in F.

But I must admit, I really don't know if that is the case.

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**Dan Leeson **
**leeson0@-----.net **
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