Klarinet Archive - Posting 000411.txt from 1995/02

From: "David B. Niethamer" <NIETHAMER@-----.BITNET>
Subj: Re: An interesting mouthpiece problem
Date: Thu, 23 Feb 1995 21:09:22 -0500

On Sun, 19 Feb 1995, Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu wrote:

> I noticed for the past several months that my b.c. mouthpiece was not
> behaving in the ways to which I had become used. The sound quality
> (or I should say sound character) had deteriorated to the point where
> I did not find it pleasant. It was not that it was less pleasant than
> it was (which was true, but not relevant), it had become UNpleasant.
>
> I was also having difficulty finding reeds and playing at extreme
> dynamic ranges was troublesome.

> Has anyone had a m.p. go south on them after a long time of proper
> functioning?

Yes, and the solution was just as you described. But the "repair" leaves
you with a different mouthpiece, and even the best of mouthpiece
technicians can't guarantee that your mouthpiece will be as good as before.

It may be better, but better is a relative term. As I understand it,
tightening a ligature too tightly can, over time, also constrict the bore
of the mouthpiece, so that the tone and tuning go awry.

Good luck - hope your mpc returns to its former glory.

David Niethamer