Klarinet Archive - Posting 000882.txt from 2004/07

From: "Christy Erickson" <perickso@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Material influence on sound...one more time
Date: Thu, 22 Jul 2004 23:58:08 -0400


> Christy=A0Erickson wrote:
>=20
> > Speaking of the influence of materials on sound,
> > can anyone explain to me why the sound I can
> > produce with the cork pads I have on the upper
> > joint of both my R-13 and my eefer are so much
> > better than the sound I get with ordinary pads?
>
Ormond said,
=20
> I don't know the answer, but I couldn't help noticing somebody's (???)
> recent comment that how firmly a person presses hsi/her fingers down =
on
> tone holes affects pitch, at least.
>=20
> Perhaps different pad materials can sink deeper into tone holes, or
> perhaps the feel of a particular material can encourgae you to press
> harder on the keys ????

I haven't experienced that unless there is a leak somewhere and then =
yes,
pressing more firmly on the keys helps. However, I don't believe it is =
ever
a good idea to suggest to someone to press harder on the keys or the =
tone
holes. The idea is to cover the holes and one only needs enough =
pressure to
achieve that goal. Anymore pressure than that creates unwanted tension =
in
the playing technique. As soon as you start pressing into keys, the =
wrist
tightens up and the shoulder with it and you start setting up the =
conditions
under which people develop tendonitis, for example. If one has to press
harder into the keys or tone holes to create better tone, you need to =
get
the clarinet to a repair shop for repadding. Christy
>=20

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