Klarinet Archive - Posting 000604.txt from 1996/08

From: niethamer@-----.EDU
Subj: Re: I'm stumped....again!
Date: Wed, 21 Aug 1996 15:11:17 -0400

I'd always go for a mouthpiece that tuned well, if the sound was close.
You say the Lurie has a nice sound, so that would be my choice. Fixing
tuning can be a never-ending nightmare - tape or nail polish in holes,
getting the 12ths to be accurate - best left to a tech, and if you have a
mpc that *does* tune, why bother?

Also, the sound you get from a new mpc will change as you adjust to what
the mpc can do, and gradually change your reed fixing to suit the new
mpc. As an experiment, after you've settled on one mpc, and feel you've
gotten comfortable with it, go back to your old one! Very instructive.

You seem to have discovered that the only difference between mpcs and
drugs is that drugs are illegal (and if the rumor is true, even *more*
expensive than clarinet equipment!). Both are equally addictive, and many
clarinetists are constantly searching for "new highs"!

During the 70's, when wood stoves were thought to be the answer to our
over-dependence on fossil fuels, I saw a cute spreadsheet showing the
cost of cutting your own wood for a stove. Chain saw, goggles, work
gloves, then of course a pickup truck, and at the bottom, the cost of a
divorce for desertion (spending all your time cutting firewood!). Before
you buy lots of clarinet equipment, be sure to factor in this expense!

David Niethamer

On Tue, 20 Aug 1996, Burch Johnson wrote:

> Here's the situation: After being mostly happy with my old Selmer 9*, I
> made the mistake of trying a new Buffet R13. OK, now I'm happy with my new
> R13, and using my old Selmer "table S" mouthpiece. Then I subscribed to this
> list. AH!I read that the Hite mouthpiece is held in high esteem! I send off
> for one. It's enough of an improvement over my S that I'm mostly happy.AH!
> I read that the Gennusa is a superb mouthpiece. Darn. So I send off for one.
> Wow! Great tone, (for me, anyway...) an altissimo like I NEVER had before,
> and nice response. But. My intonation is awful. Flat on some notes, sharp
> on others. I haul out the Mitchell Lurie crystal mouthpiece I ordered along
> with the Gennusa. WOW again. Intonation is dead on in all registers, response
> is easy all over the horn, nice sound. Here is where I want...no, need...
> PLEASE!... advice. (Actually, I feel that, since this mouthpiece search is
> ALL YOUR FAULT, you owe me your suggestions. Other than taking up the drums.)
> Should I now embark on a search for a barrel that will correct the intonation
> difficulties I'm having with the Gennusa, or should I just quit my sniveling
> and learn to make the Luriework as well as the Gennusa thru hard work and
> practice? All advice, suggestions, and flames gratefully accepted. Thanks,
> all! Burch. Burchard@-----.com
>