 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-07-05 00:02
I was at a woodwind tech shop yesterday and every time he tests an instrument he plays as loud as he can. Is this a proper way to test an instrument.
Post Edited (2015-07-05 00:10)
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-07-05 00:45
He was nearing the end of an overhaul of someones R13 and I noticed that whenever he tests any kind of an instrument he plays as loud as possible. He also does the same thing to see how good a clarinet is. How can you assess a clarinet for quality of sound if you only play full force. You loose flexibility and sensitivity of the tone this way. It also removes the sweetness of sound and takes the emotions sensitivity out of playing.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-07-05 01:29
Whatever works for that person is fine. He's not giving a concert, he's testing various elements such as the 1 and 1 Bb, the crows foot, how it moves note to note. If it plays great at full volume, the rest is cake. I can think of numerous things that may go hidden if you just play soft, though you may (depending on what was done) want to see how well it responds softly as well.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-07-05 04:00
Are you asking if this loud playing is one of many potentially valid tests of an instrument, or the predominant/best single way?
IMHO, perhaps "yes" to the first question, and definitely "no" the second. Loud play may be part of a good testing strategy, but by no means the end all be all in testing.
If you need testing methodologies please say so.
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-07-05 08:48
Loud playing is the only way he tests every clarinet no matter whether he did work on it or if he just wants to see if it is a great clarinet.
Post Edited (2015-07-05 08:49)
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Author: saxlite
Date: 2015-07-05 10:08
Playing softly is a better way of finding small leaks which lead to squeaks or stuffy resistant notes. Both loud and soft passges and scales are valuable in assessing a clarinet's condition.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2015-07-05 15:38
How is the work he does? If it's high quality and the customer gets an instrument back from him that plays well, maybe it doesn't matter much how he tests it.
I would think the "proper way to test an instrument" is the one that lets the tech find the problems.
Karl
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-07-05 18:38
Karl's point about testing the validity of a repair is well taken: the proof's in excellent repaired end product and satisified customers, more than a tech's particular testing methodology (not to write off the latter either.)
But to point, are we talking about how to test a repaired instrument, or perhaps more globally, how to test new and used clarinets, otherwise already in (we hope) a state of good repair, for the purpose of seperating "the winners from the duds," prior to purchase.
The bboard has a plethora of 411 on what such latter testing involves. Merely one such attribute: say intonation, could easily occupy a full thread here (and already has.)
By way of metaphor, testing a clarinet at "60 mph" is valid. We wish to see how it holds up under "highway driving." Is it a "smooth ride?" But a vehicle, clarinet or auto, that conks out at "30 mph," when many roads and music are written for this speed, is equally important, and can go undiscovered when testing involves only putting the "gas pedal to the floor."
Post Edited (2015-07-05 18:47)
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2015-07-05 20:47
Putting repairs aside, When someone brings him an instrument and asks him if it is a good playing instrument or not he plays full blast and that is all he does and then he gives his opinion. I do not see how only playing full blast can assess the true character of a clarinet.
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2015-07-05 21:07
To find out if a clarinet is sealing well, I play softly. Otherwise I can "blow past a leak". This is particularly true on the upper register for clarinets. There will be resistance as I play the bottom notes. For saxes and flutes the lowest octave is more sensitive to leaks.
Steve Ocone
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