Klarinet Archive - Posting 000602.txt from 2002/11

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Bright vs. Dark
Date: Mon, 25 Nov 2002 23:57:10 -0500

Now that the hullabaloo has died down regarding the use of the term "dark", let me throw in a few perspectives:

I'm going to quote Tom Ridenour - an acknowledged authority in clarinet and clarinet mouthpiece design (regarding mouthpiece facings):

".....Low resistance (close/long) facings combined with harder reeds give the player more control, especially in the upper register, and create a darker tone....."

"...High resistance (open/short) facings combined with softer reeds allow for more brightness in the tone and can perhaps be played a bit louder, but with a sacrifice of delicacy of articulation and control......"

Again quoting Tom (regarding mouthpiece rail thickness):

"......The thickness of the rails also has an effect on the response and tone. If rails are too thick the facing might play resistant-especially if the rail thickness is due to a small mouthpiece window. An excessively thick tip rail may make cause sluggish response, especially in the high register. However, a generous tip rail and side rails can damp the reed as it vibrates creating a darker tone with more fundamental. Thinner rails decrease resistance and increase highs. They can also make the tone brighter and louder, especially if the thinness is due in part to a very large window. On the negative side, excessively thin rails can be the source of chirps, whistles and squeaks......."

The above are from a website previously published by Tom. I quote them as the opinion of an expert.

What Tom is talking about here is the absence or presence of edge and a certain thinness (or lack of depth) to the tone. Perhaps "dark" can best be described as the absence of "brightness".

>From the perspective of a mouthpiece technician, to "darken" the tone, what you need to do is close the tip, lengthen the facing, and scoop out the baffle. You can darken it right down to absolute "dullness".

A "bright" tone can be achieved by using the opposite, especially an open tip and a high baffle.

Reeds can also be modified to play more "bright" or "dark". Polishing the backside of a reed can remove "brightness". Overpolishing can take away almost all vibrancy.

Could it be that the term "dark" essentially means lessening the amount of unwanted "edge" in the tone, and as such, is a perfectly valid descriptor?

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com
Soprano, Eb, and Bass Clarinet mouthpieces

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