Klarinet Archive - Posting 000813.txt from 1995/05

From: Christopher Vaughn <cvaughn@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: crystal clear?
Date: Sun, 28 May 1995 22:23:31 -0400

Ok, here's my two cents worth on crystal mouthpieces:

I use a Vandoren A1 crystal mouthpiece and I must say that I love it! I
was using an old Charles Bay before this, and a Vandoren B45 before that.
Of the three mouthpieces I've consistently played on since I got serious
about the clarinet (about 11 years ago), the crystal is easily my favorite.
The reasons being:
1. It gives me, par none, the clearest tone of any mouthpiece I've tried.
2. It gives me the most consistent intonation throughout my clarinet of
any mouthpiece that I've tried (I stress, that I've tried.)
3. (In deference to Dan Leeson concerning the word "dark" ;-)) It has
*significantly* darkened the otherwise naturally bright sound (in
comparison to the Buffet R13, et all) of my Yamaha 72 clarinets. (In fact,
no other mouthpiece, save for an old Caspar that my teacher won't let my
have or buy, has darkened the tone on my instrument so much.)
4. It thrills my clarinet students to see the condensation inside the
mouthpiece as I'm playing. (What can I say, whatever thrills them I
suppose.)
5. It has allowed me to "open" my sound and project further than any other
I've tried (again save for that Caspar).
6. I've had it for about 2 years and haven't dropped/cracked it yet.
Again though, I don't see what the big deal is here. Whether your
mouthpiece is crystal or otherwise, when you drop it, you're more likely
than not to crack or chip it. How many of us have howled in agony when we
see our mouthpiece reacting to gravity and plunging for the floor as we
watch, horrified and helpless to do anything about it? It's like time
slows down while it's falling...then, without mercy, all the time you spent
searching and playing for that mouthpiece is gone as it hits the floor (or
at least one little chip of it, which is enough.)

Now I'm not advocating crystal mouthpieces here for everyone, for I realize
that there are many who wouldn't benefit as well as I have. But for those
of you who haven't tried a crystal and have been thinking about it, please
do. I did and it has made me a much happier, much better sounding player.
I've got my flame-proof jacket on, so fire away. :)
Crystal clearly yours,

Christopher Vaughn

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"There is a fine line / Send me a giraffe, we need a /
between ignorance /-- giraffe around here. /--
and stupidity... /---- /----
Only I have managed ----/ Christopher J. Vaughn ----/
to erase that line." --/ Supreme Music Teacher Guy --/
--Dr. Science / cvaughn@-----.net /
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