 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Nick Angiolillo
Date: 2003-05-01 22:21
Hey, everyone, I have sort of an odd question.
I just got a physics assignment that asks me to make an instrument to demonstrate acoustical physics. I've decided to make a clarinet using PVC piping and plans that can be found online.
However, my teacher says I cannot use any parts from an actual instrument. That means no mouthpiece, ligature, or even reed (which I specifically asked her about).
The mouthpiece and ligature I can take care of, but the reed? I don't have the money to buy equipment to make my own reeds. Is there any other material I can use that will simulate the effect of a cane reed? Plastic perhaps? I think I once read somewhere that one could use a piece of plastic cut from a yogurt container for a reed, but I don't know the specifics.
Any help is appreciated!
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2003-05-01 22:29
Plastic and fiberglass reeds have existed for many years. As long as you're not concerned with getting a symphony-quality sound out of your PVC pipe clarinet (!), just about any piece of plastic should work for you. Maybe try grinding down a little rectangular slab of G-10 fiberglass (the green stuff)?
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Author: Karel
Date: 2003-05-02 03:35
You will have a lot of trouble with the key work, in your place I would choose an instrument without mechanics such as a recorder.
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Author: Nick Angiolillo
Date: 2003-05-02 04:13
Oh, heh, the simple clarinet plans I've found don't involve keywork, although it would be interesting to try something like that out!
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2003-05-02 05:20
I do believe some PVC ought to work quite okay as a reed. Shape it properly, and you should have no problem.
Do well on your project.
Regards,
John
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Author: clarinetmama
Date: 2003-05-02 13:59
There are plans on the interent for making flutes out of pvc. My husband and I made some pvc and copper tubing flutes. Just type in a query with the words pvc and flute and you should come up with the plans. The hardest part of course is getting the spacing correct.
You could always make a (pardon the spelling) digeradoo out of pvc.
Just a thought,
Jean
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2003-05-02 14:40
I used to take a (paper) soda straw, flatten one end and trim off about 1/4" along the sides with scissors to make a proto-oboe. I even make pinholes down the straw to give an approximate scale.
Benade's book Reeds, Strings and Harmony has plans for making a clarinet out of plastic pipe, complete with keys. It's a complicated project, but you don't have to do everything.
You'll find a happy medium between this and the soda straw. Just dive in.
The mouthpiece is a problem. There are Amerindian instruments where a hollow reed (the whole plant) is taken and a diagonal cut is made near the end of a joint, forming a non-replacable vibrator. You could also take a joint of bamboo, cut a piece out below the joint and tie on a piece of plastic. Yogurt containers are curved. You could use the top, or perhaps a piece of a large plastic milk container.
Good luck. Post a picture when you're finished.
Ken Shaw
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Author: joemich
Date: 2003-05-03 21:05
Nick, if all that is required is to produce a sound, thats an easy one. For a model, look at an "open reed" duck call or wildlife call. The "mouthpiece" can be made out of a short piece of 1/2" diameter white PVC water pipe. The plastic reed is on the order of .005" to .010" thick and wide enough to cover the "bore" of the MP. The lay of this "MP" is about 1" to 1 1/4" long and very open; 1/4" is typical. Takes a minimum of puttering to get it working, and is absolutely guarenteed to scare the wits out of any cat in the neighborhood!! Have fun.
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Author: Terry Horlick
Date: 2003-05-03 21:48
The horn on my antique car uses a brass reed. You can get enough to make a dozen or so at any auto parts store. Just ask for brass shim stock. have them show you their stuff you will probably want something in the range of .005"-.010". You should be able to hack through that with a scissors if you don't have a tin snip. The mouthpiece will be a bit harder to do... I bet you can do it with a piece of 1/2" pvc, cut the pipe at about a 30 degree angle and viola! A duct tape ligature is in order here!
If nothing else you can get a cheap taxi horn from Pier 1 or Harbour Freight or someplace like that. Take the bulb off and unscrew the reed... it is a brass holder with a reed soft soldered onto that. You could screw it into a pvc pipe plug and slide that into the pipe horn. Remember that they use 50-50 solder on this thing... that's 50% lead so you may not want to put your mouth on it. You can even put the bulb back on and have your significant other squeeze it while you finger the horn.... do you get extra credit for an instrument which requires three hands?
See, I don't only mess with instrument cases!
(^:
Terry
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Author: funkymunky
Date: 2003-05-04 01:18
Popsicle Stick!! I have talked to a repairman thats said some guy used popsickle sticks. I never tried it but dont doubt it will work . Probably need sandpaper and maybe razors or rushes.
Maybe a mouthpiece out of clay. may be ,interesting might work too.
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Author: Nick Angiolillo
Date: 2003-05-05 02:55
Actually, that's a really interesting idea. I thought a wooden reed would be out of the question, but I didn't even consider those wider popsicle stocks doctors use (please excuse the technical language). I bet if I sanded that down it would work, if I cant find good plastic!
The instrument, by the way, has to sound at least three distinct tones. I get more points for every other tone I can produce, but I wonder how the teacher would grade a stringed instrument which produces an infinte number of tones? hm! I will stick with what I know, though.
Thanks for all the great suggestions, everyone. I didn't realize you could make a reed out of just about anything.
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