SOME ASPECTS OF TUNING AND CLEAN INTONATION IN REED INSTRUMENTS

The influence of the first and second resonance frequencies on tuning, timbre (or tone colour) and ease of playing is investigated for reed instruments, such as the clarinet, alto saxophone and oboe. Theoretical analyses of the effects of the reed and the player embouchure (i.e. lip position and pressure on the reed) are reviewed, as well as the consequences of inharmonicity in the resonance frequencies. This review allows us to present interesting interpretations of the numerous experiments reported here. Three kinds of results are given: (I) comparison of playing frequencies and first resonance frequencies, for several fingerings with or without open register hole, leading to the definition of a frequency independent length correction for the embouchure; (2) examination of the effect of inharmonicity of the two first resonance frequencies on both tone colour and ease of playing, the causes coming from either the player embouchure or the instrument construction, (3) comparison between theory and experiment for the inharmonicity produced by the changes in conicity in oboes, lending to an interpretation of the maker's choices. The results show how judicious use of simple tools, such as calculations or measurements of input impedance or playing data obtained using an artificial mouth, can be of help to the understanding of instrument construction and to the instrument designer.