Klarinet Archive - Posting 000347.txt from 2004/10

From: "Clark W Fobes" <claroneman@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] Custom made barrels and a rant
Date: Mon, 11 Oct 2004 17:19:05 -0400

I have to respectfully disagree with Ormand on this statement:

" A common statement is that the barrel has more effect on intonation
than it does on timbre."

I don't know where he came up with statement, but it is not one that I
have heard or even ascribe to.

Barrels can have a significant effect on intonation, but the changes in
timbre with even very slight changes in taper can be dramatic. I can make
two barrels with almost no variance in pitch and have them sound and feel
completely different with very subtle changes in the taper, particularly on
the small end of the taper. The beating reed of the clarinet is
significantly influenced by the shape of the acoustical system it is
attached too. I consider the barrel and the mouthpiece to have the greatest
influence on the overtone series that the reed produces. Certain aspects of
mouthpiece and barrel design support the upper overtones much more than
others and it is the presence or lack of these overtones that shape the
sound.

I also don't agree that there is a necessary trade off between good
intonation and timbre. I have always felt (even before I made mouthpieces or
barrels) that a system that provides the best pitch also produces the best
sound. If you cannot focus the sound in all registers to achieve good
intonation then there is something wrong with the system. AND, good
intonation is a matter of subjectivity rather than the mindless (earless!)
application of a tuner. GOOD intonation is the ability to A) hear your sound
and pitch clearly in the ensemble and B) having the flexibility to move the
pitch around to achieve good ensemble or "just" intonation.

The ability to hear your pitch in the ensemble (and to project) are a
function of a nicely balanced timbre. The pursuit of the "dark tone" that
was a hallmark of my generation (and that I hope I am having some influence
on changing!) is misguided. The clarinet has the ability to produce the
widest palette of color of all the woodwind instruments and we should
celebrate and explore this wonderful artistic advantage in our playing.

Clark W Fobes

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