Acoustics of the saxophone |
Bb tenor saxophone |
G5 |
Fingering Acoustic schematic Non-specialist introduction
to acoustic impedance Notes are the written pitch. |
Note how similar this spectrum is to that for C4. (Of
course, the clarinet overblows a 12th.) The only substantial difference is the
reduction in the first peak. The purpose of the speaker key is just that: to
destroy the fundamental resonance so that the instrument will not 'drop down'
to the lower register. See register
hole for details.
Although notes in the low range of the clarinet show weak second, fourth and
sometimes other even harmonics, this is not true once the harmonics fall near
or above the cut-off frequency. The sound spectrum below is a good counter-example
to the naïve generalisation that clarinet spectra have weak even harmonics.
For a general discussion of the clarino register, see the description on B4.
Sound spectrum
of a Bb saxophone
played using fingering for G5.
For more explanation, see
Introduction to saxophone acoustics
Alternative Fingering |
Bb saxophone |
Fingering Acoustic schematic Non-specialist introduction
to acoustic impedance Notes are the written pitch. |
Contact:
Joe Wolfe
/ J.Wolfe@unsw.edu.au |