Klarinet Archive - Posting 000287.txt from 1996/07

From: Karl Krelove <KClarinet@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: single-lip vs tooth vibration
Date: Sun, 14 Jul 1996 23:06:29 -0400

Gregory T. Wright wrote:
>>In order to get the rubber cement to adhere to the mouthpiece, the
mouthpiece >>has to be roughened where the patch will sit.

I've used rubber cement to hold patches and never had to rough up a
mouthpiece to get it to stick. In fact, I used to cut up thin rubber work
gloves (which alas I can't find anywhere anymore) and those used to stick
just by licking them and letting them dry on the mouthpiece. The minerals in
your saliva were enough cement to hold them down if you didn't bite hard and
push them around.
Lately, however, I've been cutting up rubber bicycle innertubes (the rubber
is thicker than those gloves were, but one does what one can) and sticking
the patch on with double-sided tape. If you can find a good cloth-based tape,
it works a lot better than plastic (cellophane) types that tend to fall apart
when they get damp. You may have to experiment a little with different tapes,
but once you find the right stuff, one innertube and one roll of tape could
last you a lifetime if you don't need to share it with students.
BTW, I know there are a couple of ex-Philadelphians (and maybe some current
ones) on the list who know the kind of rubber work gloves I'm talking about
(Gigliotti used to use them and probably bought up all that were left years
ago). The ones that were pink inside and black outside. The newer
plastic-based gloves that the stores sell now don't stick nearly as well, and
I haven't seen those rubber ones for years. Anyone know where (if) they're
still available?