Klarinet Archive - Posting 000496.txt from 1995/06

From: Donald Yungkurth <DYungkurth@-----.COM>
Subj: What's great about a great mouthpiece?
Date: Thu, 22 Jun 1995 03:01:27 -0400

All the recent discussion about mouthpieces has made me wonder about the
improvements I might find if I had the elusive "best" mouthpiece. I've
played clarinet for about 40 years and until two years ago had simply used
the mouthpieces I acquired when buying used instruments. I read about all
those mouthpieces out there, but didn't know how to choose a better one or
even what "better" would mean.

In retirement from my non-musical vocation, I've taken lessons from a
professional clarinetist in a local orchestra. The first thing he did was
evaluate my "equipment" by playing it himself, right down to using a reed I
prepared. He pointed out some limitations, but said there were no major
problems. Early on, he gave me three mouthpieces and said to try them and
report back. My first finding was that I had to work up different reeds as
none of my favorites did well on any of the three mouthpieces.

The three were all similar and the biggest effect I noticed was that I could
play high D softly - this had always been an "awkward" note that didn't speak
easily and tended to blast out or not sound at all. Intonation seemed better
and response was more uniform in the various registers. I ended up getting a
Woodwind Company Robert Marcellus M13, which I am still using and happy
with.

Now the questions:

1. What else is there to be gained from mouthpieces?
2. How do I test them?
3. Why is a Kasper worth $500? (I know of sales at this price).
4. If trying to "upgrade" from the Marcellus, what mouthpieces do you
suggest?

If it is important in answering my questions, I am using Buffet R13s and
playing pretty strictly classical music, in two community orchestras and
some chamber music.

Sorry for the length - Look forward to replies

Don Yungkurth (DYungkurth@-----.com)