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Re: Questions on shrinking tone hole

Author: Luuk ★2017
Date: 2024-04-08 12:18

From http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=508450&t=508231:

Author: Luuk ★2017
Date: 2023-11-14 13:25

The register hole acts as a small leak in the bore, forcing a pressure node to develop in the standing wave in the bore, at the register hole's location.

However, each frequency has different locations of its standing wave nodes, but the register tube is fixed. Thus, the location of the register tube matches only one 'ideal' node location. Frequencies with a pressure node at this location will be fine, but a node of a standing wave located nearby the register tube will be more or less 'pulled' in the direction of the register tube, thus influencing the frequency of the standing wave.

Try this: play B4 with traditional fingering RT 123E|123F. Now play the same note without the register key but with the trill key second from above at the upper right (the keys normally operated with your right hand first finger - open the trill key with your right thumb - you need to rest the clarinet on your knees). This trill hole is more or less located at the ideal register tube location for B4. The resulting note will feel very different from the traditional one (result depends on the clarinet). Also, try the same trick with C5 and the most upper trill key.

The mismatch of the location of the register tube for almost all frequencies except one is a problem for all instruments relying on this mechanism, oehler clarinets included, and not only clarinets.
A solution is to introduce more than one register tube, as may commonly be seen on the oboe, the saxophone and bass clarinets. This does not solve the problem completely, but makes the mechanism complex.

Please note that location of the register tube, polycylindrical designs etc. only present second or lower order deviations from the basic idea: a cylindical tube, closed at one end. For an introduction see https://newt.phys.unsw.edu.au/jw/clarinetacoustics.html

Regards,

Luuk
Philips Symphonic Band
The Netherlands

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