Author: Dave Spiegelthal
Date: 1999-07-20 16:22
I have a theory that every link in the chain matters, but the farther down you get, the less effect. The most important determinant of sound is the player himself, followed by the mouthpiece/reed combination, followed by the instrument (which, in my "theory", includes the barrel). The portion of the instrument below the barrel is much more sensitive than the barrel itself, because of the presence of pads (which must seal perfectly and open to sufficient height), and because of the existence of toneholes (which have to be drilled in precisely the right location, be of the right diameter and height, and preferably have chamfered/undercut entrances and/or exits). The barrel, being a "non-moving, non-sealing" part, is much less critical even though it is physically higher in the chain (i.e. closer in distance to the source of the sound, the player). So all a barrel has to have are length, diameter, and taper dimensions that are reasonably good, in order to function. In summary, then, it does have some effect on the overall sound production process, but probably less of an effect than any other single component.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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