Klarinet Archive - Posting 000322.txt from 2004/10
From: "Forest Aten" <forestaten@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] RE: klarinet Digest 10 Oct 2004 08:14:59 -0000 Issue 5570
Date: Sun, 10 Oct 2004 16:06:20 -0400
-----Original Message-----
From: Keith [mailto:100012.1302@-----.com]
Sent: Sunday, October 10, 2004 3:51 AM
To: klarinet@-----.org
Subject: [kl] RE: klarinet Digest 10 Oct 2004 08:14:59 -0000 Issue 5570
I'd disagree. I do think the description is useful. Of course there is only
one fundamental and many higher partials (and Bill's post implied nothing
else). What he is describing is the general shape of the spectrum. It is
perfectly valid to give a general description of the way it is skewed
towards higher frequencies. This is what I understood him to be saying, and
it gives me a better idea of what the sound is like than any number of vague
adjectives. I can hear such differences, and use them in my playing. For
example in selection of a ligature. For example, my only complaint about
Legere reeds is their shortage of high frequency vibration (and I've seena
spectrum shown by Guy Legere), which I find is countered by a very light
metal ligature (Spriggs floating rail).
And yes, I'm a scientist and familiar with spectra and Fourier analysis.
Keith Bowen
Keith,
I know of several readily available software programs that would allow a
person to take a look at what sound "looks like". Several of these programs
are sophisticated enough to allow one to adjust the amount of any given
frequency present in the/a sample sound (or even add a frequency if not
there) to listen to the differences.
Lee Gibson was doing this kind of analysis in the late '60s. He would have
associates, students...any who played clarinet, record on tape. He would cut
the tape into loops that would run on a high quality Revox tape deck and he
would use the best scientific instruments of the day to analysis the product
of this process. It was the best he could do at the time. While Lee had some
of his science misplaced, he was probably one of the first player/teachers
to push clarinet manufacturers forward. I know Lee consulted with the Buffet
and Selmer companies...maybe more.
Sony has a software program out that would allow one to do a pretty nice job
of "seeing" what sound "looks like". The programs is called Sound Forge.
It's a great program. (if you have the bucks....over $300) I'm sure that
this kind of software is available for a lot less money and I bet there are
shareware or perhaps even freeware programs available for those interested
in searching for it.
Ben where are you??? What would you suggest for a program for those of us on
a budget and have time on our hands.
Forest Aten
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