Klarinet Archive - Posting 000522.txt from 2004/10

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Different sounds
Date: Tue, 19 Oct 2004 00:25:37 -0400

At 10:31 PM 10/18/2004 -0400, Adam Michlin wrote:
>The million dollar question which therefore follows:
>
>What is the most efficient way to move the reed such that it contacts the
>mouthpiece?
>
>Please also assume the player in question is using proper breath
>support/air pressure/whatever you prefer to call it. I agree 100% that air
>is the single most important variable in clarinet tone production. Let us
>explore what may be the second most important variable in clarinet tone
>production. I look forward to your thoughts.

I think proper air support IS half the answer to the question, a proper
embouchure being the rest of it. Airflow CAUSES the reed to close against
the mouthpiece. That closure, of course, STOPS the airflow, so the reed
springs open, restarting the airflow, which causes the reed to close,
etc..... The pulses thus created in the airstream excite the column of air
in the instrument, creating the tone. If the reed does not fully close,
the airflow is still modulated, but not completely "pulsed" resulting in a
very "airy" sound (common among those who insist upon using too-hard reeds
or insufficient breath support) or, more extremely, subtone.

Note: these are layman's explanations, and may not conform precisely with
Benade, etc. but I think will be much to understand, and MUCH easier to type!

Bill Hausmann

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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