Effects of materials on the acoustic properties of clarinet barrels

UNCG Author/Contributor (non-UNCG co-authors, if there are any, appear on document)
Mark James Cramer (Creator)
Institution
The University of North Carolina at Greensboro (UNCG )
Web Site: http://library.uncg.edu/
Advisor
Kelly Burke

Abstract: This project was intended to provide empirical data to determine if materials (e.g. Cocobolo, Mopane, Grenadilla, Delrin, and Purpleheart) used to make clarinet barrels have an effect on sound quality and response. The following questions were addressed in this study: For clarinet barrels, do different types of exotic hardwoods and plastics have a measurable effect on the sound qualities (timbre) of the clarinet? Do different materials used to manufacture clarinet barrels have a measurable effect on the response (immediacy of tone and vibration to the player) of the instrument? Do different materials have a measurable impact on the intensity (volume/projection) of the clarinet? Will participants have a preference for specific materials tested? Results indicated that 25% of participants chose Mopane, 25% of participants chose Grenadilla, 25% of participants chose Delrin, and 25% of participants chose Purpleheart, meaning no material was preferred by a majority of the participants. No participant chose Cocobolo. Though there were commonalities among recordings of each material, the findings were not substantial enough to determine true differences in timbre, response to articulation, or intensity.

Additional Information

Publication
Dissertation
Language: English
Date: 2015
Keywords
Acoustics, Barrels, Clarinet, Effects, Materials, Properties
Subjects
Clarinet $x Construction

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