Klarinet Archive - Posting 000562.txt from 1996/12

From: Phillip Harris <pharris3@-----.com>
Subj: Fitting Mouthpieces to the Clarinet
Date: Fri, 20 Dec 1996 17:18:36 -0500

Since clarinets of various makes and age have different bore diameters,
why are mouthpieces not defined for compatibility with instruments in
terms of either make or bore diameter? It has been my understanding
that a smooth bore with no discontinuities is best for a wind instrument
and it would seem as though that need would extend the length of the
instrument including the mouthpiece . It also seems to me that the
volume of air used by the mouthpiece would also relate to the diameter of
the instrument.

This thought occurred to me because a Vandoreen B44 mp I acquired from a
friend plays stuffy on my .577 Bundy and does not even fit on a narrower
bore old
french clarinet, a La Marquis, Paris. The Bundy mp plays well on the
Bundy and a Vito mp I acquired plays well on the La Marquis. I use
Vandoreen #3 reeds on all.

Not scientific-Just some observations that triggered a thought.

Phil