 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ben Shaffer
Date: 2019-02-12 00:34
I've got a Vito V40 plastic Horn thats one of my favorites.
Its got a Bell that is not very wide at the base, or really not much of a flair as it goes to the base.
For fun I picked up a used Vito plastic Bell on eBay for $12.
This Vito Bell I picked up ,has a somewhat wider base than the one on the V40, 55mm vs 57mm.
The Vito Bell I bought flairs out slightly more towards the base than the original Bell
When I tried it out on the V40 I was pleased to note it was louder, not like the herald trumpets blown unrestrained, but it was noticeably louder.
So my question... all things being equal on a Clarinet, will the use of a Bell with slightly more flair and slightly wider diameter than another result in more volume?
Ben Shaffer
GSO,NC
Post Edited (2019-02-12 00:37)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2019-02-12 00:55
Ben Shaffer wrote:
> So my question... all things being equal on a Clarinet, will
> the use of a Bell with slightly more flair and slightly wider
> diameter than another result in more volume?
> Ben Shaffer
I don't know the answer to your specific question, but volume (loudness) isn't the only consideration. How does the different bell affect the pitch of the long E/B and F/C? How does it affect those notes' resistance and the ease with which you can blend the sound from the throat notes to long B and C?
I don't know if there are actually acoustical "rules" about how the bell shape and volume affect the volume of the long notes (I assume there probably are), but increasing the volume and flair will almost certainly affect more than just the loudness, and the overall balance of possible trade-offs is more important than just playing louder on clarion B and C. Listen and feel what overall effect the bell has (and check with a tuner) and then use the one that gives you better results.
Karl
Karl
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Author: Ben Shaffer
Date: 2019-02-12 01:53
Here I think I've answered my own question
"Finally, the flared end is known as the bell. Contrary to popular belief, the bell does not amplify the sound; rather, it improves the uniformity of the instrument's tone for the lowest notes in each register"
from Clarinet Acoustics
Univ of New South Wales
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-02-14 17:36
Good question! Read what Karl wrote. As usual he answered this very well. We are kind of looking first at pitch. In fact some instrument companies and bell makers add or drill a hole in the side of the bell for better tuning. A 1/4 inch hole or so.
A smaller bell will make the lower notes go sharp and of course a wider bell will make the lower register notes play a shade flat. This also has to do with the length. Same situation.
It will make the lower notes play without stuffiness, or less stuffiness. On one set of Buffets I had I found an old Selmer 9* bell that worked so well with the R13 I had. Also wood is heavier so maybe the plastic improved what you are feeling as it is plastic and less resistant. Just a guess here.
But for $12 you made a good call to experiment. You can also change barrels too and try a lighter barrel made from plastic.
There is a guy who posts here sometimes that makes very light weight barrels named Ryan. I think. Maybe someone here can get his email address. 3D printing. A super nice guy.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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