Klarinet Archive - Posting 000791.txt from 1997/02

From: Fred I Jacobowitz <fredj@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: glass mouthpieces
Date: Sun, 23 Feb 1997 16:15:31 -0500

>I've been looking for information on glass mouthpieces for clarinet. I know
>that they were once used for jazz because they have a "happier" sound than
>the standard mouthpiece. If anyone out there has any further info please
>send it. Thanks.
>
>Kathi A

Kathi,
I guess I can be considered an authority, now, on crystal
mouthpieces because I play on one. There is supposedly a large difference
between glass and crystal. Crystal, being denser, gives a much warmer sound
than glass, which has the reputation of being a laser-beam bright sound (no
wonder Jazzers supposedly love them). I play on a crystal mouthpiece made
by Jerry Hall, who lives is Tennessee. I love the mouthpiece. I find it to
be bright, which I like, but never shrill in any way. It is not stuffy or
thuddy, like so many of those "dark" mouthpieces tend to be. Its sound is
clear (crystal clear, in fact) and it projects VERY well. The articulation
on it is just fabulous. I can tongue faster and cleaner than on any other
mouthpiece I ever tried. The actual mouthpiece blank is made to Jerry's
specs by Pomarico (in Italy).
O'Brien also makes a highly-recommended crystal mouthpiece. Again,
I believe the material makes the difference because Vandoren's glass mpc.
seems to be rather unpopular and so does Leblanc's Pete Fountain model.
Jerry has made me a representative so I have a nice selection of
his mouthpieces to show people. Where do you live? Maybe you're in the
Washington, DC area and we can connect.

Fred Jacobowitz
Clarinet/Sax Instructor, Peabody Preparatory

   
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