A cylindrical half-open tube missing all even partials produces the clarinet’s hollow tone

Evidence

The clarinet is a key member of the woodwinds, driven by a cane reed clamped at one end and free to vibrate at the end of a chamber (figure 16.32). The body of the clarinet is primarily cylindrical, with a modest bell at the end. The reed end is effectively closed, making the clarinet a half-open tube, missing all the even partials. Unlike the trumpet, the clarinet does not attempt to realign this basic arrangement of partials, thus imparting its characteristic hollow sound. Being a half-open tube, the fundamental note of the clarinet fits only a quarter-wave inside the bore and is a full octave lower at the same length than its conical oboe counterpart, to be discussed next, or the open-open tube of the flute. — Eric J. Heller, Why You Hear What You Hear- An…, 1587

Categorization

• XREF: Connects to the trumpet discussion from earlier in the book where partial realignment is attempted — the contrast clarifies how different instruments handle their partial series.