Klarinet Archive - Posting 000186.txt from 2002/11

From: Daniel Leeson <leeson0@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Why Bb? (was: reverse Mozart)
Date: Mon, 4 Nov 2002 09:35:29 -0500

Buckman, Nancy wrote:
> Dan,
>
> I think the point that I was trying to make was that it seems easier(to me,
> at least)to play the Bb instrument than any of the other clarinets. I don't
> know if that is by it's physical characteristics or what (as I said, I'm no
> scientist), but my Bb clarinet plays easier than any of the others. If I
> were to line them up in order of ease of playability, this would be the
> order: Bb, C, Eb and A. I would guess that the eefer and the A clarinet
> might be reversed, except that I play so much more eefer than A that the
> little one seems easier. How do yours stack up in order of ease of
> playability? Is there a scientific reason for my observations? I'm pretty
> ignorant when it comes to the science end of music. In fact, I usually wait
> to see what your response is to something like this because you are usually
> right on the mark (in my opinion).
>
> 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 sure I can reply to your inquiry because I simply have
not thought about it enough. And the reason why I haven't thought about
it is because I don't believe it.

How your a clarinet of particular pitch responds to you is a matter with
so many variables beyond those of the clarinet itself (your body, your
teeth, your sinuses, for example) that how you perceive the physicality
of playing would appear to have no standard or even, for that matter, be
standarizable.

It's like talking about whether Beethoven's 3rd piano concerto is a
better piece than Brahm's 2nd. It's all in the mind of the beholder.

Dan

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