Klarinet Archive - Posting 000802.txt from 1995/05

From: Gene Keyes <gkeyes@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Crystal Clear?
Date: Sun, 28 May 1995 12:56:16 -0400

>I've read all the KLARINET logs and haven't found a serious analysis that
>answers my questions about crystal mouthpieces.
>
>Some of the opinions expressed by members of this list include the following:
>
>1. Crystal mouthpieces are brighter.
>
>2. Crystal mouthpieces are darker.
>
>3. Crystal mouthpieces chip easily and shatter if you drop them.
>
>4. Crystal mouthpieces are only suitable for glass clarinets.
>
>5. Crystal mouthpieces just sound a little different, but aren't any
>better than hard rubber.
>
>6. Crystal mouthpieces aren't very popular among professionals.
>
>7. Crystal mouthpieces make great door stops.
>
>In general, crystal mouthpieces don't seem to be taken very seriously.
>Then why are they made?
>
>I play a hard rubber Vandoren. I tried a crystal mouthpiece once that
>belonged to a friend, a professional. He made me try an experiment with
>it. I took a soft Rico reed that was guaranteed to buzz on my mouthpiece.
>When I played the reed on his crystal mouthpiece, the buzz disappeared.
>I've been intrigued ever since.
>
>I'm considering buying one even though I know they are fragile. I need
>serious advice--the kind Dan Leeson donates to the list. Anybody out
>there knowledgeable on this subject? Also, anyone ever use the Pete
>Fountain crystal? What's your view on this one?
>
>cicetti@-----.com
>
>The buzz disappearing is due more to the characteristics of the mouthpiece
material than the reed. Because the glass does not transmit vibrations the
same way as rubber or plastic, your conception of what you sound like
changes, not necessarily your actual sound. Of course, using a different
mouthpiece might change you sound slightly but I believe that given enough
time to play with reeds, etc. we all sound like what we sound like( that is,
assuming a quality mouthpiece and not a $7.95 special). The major changes
that a mouthpiece brings are in the areas of response and intonation.

Having played crystals for years..I've found the major problems to be
consistence and intonation. When you break a crystal (if you play them long
enough, you surely will) it can be much harder to find another that is
similar than if you were playing a rubber mp. My experience with crystals
(not recently) leaves me with a distinct impression that they tend to be
flat in the throat register. You can of course tune those notes up.....but
what happens when the tuning on your next mouthpiece is not consistent with
the one you broke?..............................good luck/gk