Klarinet Archive - Posting 000432.txt from 1997/01

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Multiple clarinets, multiple mouthpieces
Date: Thu, 23 Jan 1997 13:05:54 -0500

>Perhaps I misunderstand the general tone involved but it appears to me
>that there is some universal and unstated assumption that having
>a mouthpiece for each clarinet is an unwise practice. And I'd like
>to explore that.
>
>For precisely the reasons behind the current discussion of which
>clarinet to use under which circumstances, I always kept each
>clarinet with its own mouthpiece ready to go at all performances in
>which I participated. And let me tell you the extremes to which I
>went. I did this for Bass clarinet in B-flat and BAss clarinet in A.
>I had each instrument and had a special mouthpiece made for each
>instrument. Incidentally, this was done not because in several of
>the Mahler symphonies there is insufficient time to get a bass clarinet
>mouthpiece from one instrument to another. I don't know what Mahler
>was thinking but that is what he did.
>
>So when I played those Mahler symphonies that required 4 soprano
>clarinets and two bass clarinets, I had them all lined up, each
>with its own mouthpiece and I never had a problem switching from
>one instrument to another.
>
>Would someone tell me what the downside is for the use of multiple
>mouthpieces?
>
>
>====================================
>Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
>(leeson@-----.edu)
>====================================

The last time I played A-clarinet, I used a separate mouthpiece for each
and had no problem. No one would ever suggest you use the same mouthpiece
on your bass clarinet as on your soprano, so why should this be so
different? I mostly play in pit orchestras, and I just make sure I "pay
attention" to all the instruments I'm doubling on (i.e., picking them up
occassionally during rests and blowing through them to keep them warm and
ready), and that seems to work for me!

-Scott

P.S. It would also solve problems like Larry Liberson's, as you could put a
different flavored flavo-reed on each of the Bb and A clarinets, so you
could tell instantly which you had in your mouth!

P.P.S. Be kind to me: I just had an article rejected by a magazine because
it wasn't humourous enough!

-SDM

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu