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Urban Legend tested

Author: alanporter
Date: 2020-08-29 02:15

During an idle moment my thoughts fell on the old story that one can convert a Bb clarinet to play as an A clarinet, if one reduced the volume of the bore by threading a piece of string along it. I decided to test the idea.

First, I ensured that my clarinet could play an accurate Concert Bb by my tuner.
Then I threaded a piece of string, 1.5 mm diameter, through the bore. I attached the upper end inside the top tenon with a piece of adhesive tape.

When I played the low C (concert Bb) my tuner showed Bb - 20 cents flat.
I then changed the string for a piece of 4 mm cord. Playing the same Bb the tuner showed A + 20 cents sharp. I did not have any other cord to test, but I suspect that a 3mm cord would make the note very close to a real A.

However, the quality of the note was rather dull to hear and would not sound well along with other instruments, so I've gone back to having just a Bb clarinet.

I doubt this bit of research will get me a Nobel Prize this year.

tiaroa@shaw.ca

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