Klarinet Archive - Posting 000061.txt from 1995/06

From: Jack Dannenberg <jackd@-----.COM>
Subj: Pete Fountain Crystal Mouthpiece
Date: Tue, 6 Jun 1995 10:51:25 -0400

Freed Cicetti asked about Pete Fountain crystal mouthpieces. I have one
and I have mixed feelings. I find it quite resistant compared to most if
not all other mouthpieces I have tried. For comparison I have several
VanDorens, a Pyne, Clark Fobes, Kanter 715, Portnoy P2 etc. The Fountain
is more resistant and requires a softer reed than any of those listed. It
is not the way for ME to get that big open Pete Fountain sound. I actually
would use it more for chamber music except I think the Pyne is better for
that. Notes above the staff are shrill and edgy compared to the Pyne. This
is a relative thing. I don't mean they are bad, I just like the Pyne and
the Fobes better. Notes below that range sound much better, I'd like to
say dark but this appears to be a verboten term. So lets say the higher
order harmonics appear to have less amplitude, notice the lack of
subjective terms like bright or dark. It also does not have the dynamic
range of my other mouthpieces. I used to use it for practising in hotels as
I could play quietly with it and not find myself on the street. Having said
all of this I shall attach the required disclaimers. Pete Fountain does use
this mouthpiece and gets a very big sound. He says that he likes to use soft
reeds. Perhaps mine is unique or they are not consistent or worst of all it
might be me although I have let others try it and they had the same
conclusions.
Jack Dannenberg
jackd@-----.com
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