Klarinet Archive - Posting 000474.txt from 1995/09

From: Lisa Gartrell Yeo <ux403@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: Getting soft in my old age.
Date: Fri, 22 Sep 1995 17:24:11 -0400

>
>This discussion reminds me of the importance of finding EXACTLY the right
>mouthpiece for your particular reed/embouchure combination.
>
>In my experience, if you change the hardness/softness of the reed you are
>using, you will no longer find your present mouthpiece to be optimum. You
>really need to change mouthpiece if/when you change reed strength.
>
>The general technical quide of going to longer facings/narrower apertures
>for higher strength reeds and shorter facings/wider apertures for lower
>strength reeds can give you a direction to experiment. But, you should
>have available a wide range of mp to experiment. Often, very SLIGHT
>differences in the length or width can make a profound difference in sound,
>how easy it is to start/sustain high notes, etc.
>
>=====================================================================
>Tom Ascher Internet: u15310@-----.edu
>University of Illinois at Chicago Phone: (312) 413-3665
>
>
This sounds backwards to me. If you like your mouthpiece, why not find
reeds to go with it rather than the other way around? A
mouthpiece is far more consistent/reliable than fickle reeds!

Lisa Gartrell Yeo