Klarinet Archive - Posting 000252.txt from 1997/01

From: Jrykorten@-----.com
Subj: Mouthpiece or MP and Barrel Swap
Date: Sun, 19 Jan 1997 15:13:31 -0500

The issue of changing mouthpiece and/or mouthpiece - barrel swapping when
changing from Bb to A must be considered in light of the respective bore
diameters of both the mouthpiece and the barrel, and how acoustic load on the
player is affected.

Throttling the barrel is a technique, long used by LeBlanc, now used by
Buffet, Moennig, AcuBore etc. The effect is to free up the right hand a bit
and improve overall response. LeBlanc takes this philosophy through the rest
of the bore of the clarinet (probably having the affect of adjusting acoustic
load on the player to remain constant throughout the range of the
instrument).

While it would be nice if the same model mouthpiece or barrel were consistent
in diameter, this is not often the case. Varying by .001" easily, and with
aging wood on barrels up to .002" to .003" are common. These variations in
diameter have a dramatic effect on reflected wave interference set up within
the tube of the instrument. Instruments go out of round as they age
(blowout?) which may make them incompatible with any barrel/mouthpiece
combination.

The fact that certain players can't feel the difference when switching just a
mouthpiece between his A and Bb indicates he has been playing an R13 all his
life. I have too (until recently). This design forces us to vary our
embouchure with such frequency and for so many notes as to train us against
adversity.

After much experimentation, I have come to the conclusion that each
mouthpiece must be matched to a preferred barrel. And that that barrel be
preferred by the instrument as well. Many combinations will work. But bore
diameters will give us an indication of likelyhood (i.e. Vandoren 5RV with
stock buffet barrel, B45dot for Accubore or LeBlanc barrel). Get yourself
bore measurement tools and start learning what you've got and what you're
trying.

Jerry Korten