Klarinet Archive - Posting 000361.txt from 1996/10

From: Steve Prescott <mipresc@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Over- or underbite
Date: Mon, 14 Oct 1996 12:57:42 -0400

Richard and Luuk,

Keith Stein states that the clarinet should be approximately 11
inches out from the belt. Now, this is approximate. If one were to have a
slight overbite (which I have), the clarinet needs to be in a little bit.
You can experiment with this by moving the clarinet up and down, keeping
your head stationary. You will hear when the sound is clear and open. This
is the premise of the Bay neck for bas clarinet. There are other factors,
of course, that determine the quality of sound (amount of mpc. in the mouth
etc.).

I think the mouthpiece maker of whom Luuk speaks changes the length
of the lay of the mouthpiece (I'm referring to the point at which the reed
leaves the mouthpiece.) and has made a study of which lay works best with
the amount of overbite a player has.

I do, however disagree with one comment that Keith Stein makes and
that involves moving the jaw out to match the bottom teeth with the top
teeth. If you have an overbite, this can be awkward and lead to muscle
spasms in the jaw. I have found that changing the angle of the clarinet is
the better option.

Steve.

Steve Prescott
Instrument Rep.Tech./ Clarinetist
Indiana State University
mipresc@-----.edu

   
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