Klarinet Archive - Posting 000992.txt from 1997/02

From: Martin Marks <mmarks@-----.NET>
Subj: Re: C clarinet mouthpieces
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 20:17:03 -0500

At 11:38 AM 2/27/97 -0700, you wrote:
>I have become accustomed to using my Bb mouthpiece when playing my C
>clarinet -- it works pretty well, although I have to let the horn warm up
>considerably to get up to pitch.
>
>On a whim, I decided to try the stock mouthpiece that was included with
>the horn to see what difference it made. (I play on a Greg Smith 1, and
>this was a Noblet). I could barely get a sound of the **** thing! I
>think perhaps the reed was slightly too large for the opening of the
>mouthpiece -- but I have used Bb reeds on an Eb mouthpiece in a pinch and
>that seems to work.
>
>Those of you out there who play/own C's -- do you use a different
>mouthpiece? If so, do you have to hack down your reeds?
>
>I'm steeling myself for using this instrument in a professional performing
>situation where I may encounter some resistance, so I would like to be as
>ready and well-informed as possible! Thanks for your advice!
>
>Jacqueline Eastwood
>University of Arizona/Arizona Opera Orchestra
>eastwooj@-----.edu
>
>Jacqueline
I have a Noblet C clarinet. I have had it for almost 2 years now. I also
have a Greg Smith
mpc. I have used the Greg Smith mpc and others for the C clarinet. The mpc
that came with
my Noblet C was a Bb mouthpiece. Are you sure your mpc is different than
mine. I have not
been able to find a true C clarinet mpc anywhere. Does anyone out there
know of one? I think
most of the intonation problems we have with the C is because the original C
clarinets had mpcs
that were slightly smaller than Bb mpcs. Using a Bb mpc on my Noblet, I
find the intonation
acceptable from low B to high F. That's about the range of an oboe. Jerry
Hall (JC Products)
is supossed to have a mpc specifically for the C ready soon. I"ll let the
list know as soon as
I can find out more about it. Actually, I don't think the Greg Smith mpc is
the best choice for
the C. You might have better results with a mpc that tunes a little
sharper, maybe a Vandoren
5RV if you like a closer facing like the Greg Smith. When I was playing the
C regularly for a
while last year I had good results with that mouthpiece on my Noblet.
Good luck
Marty Marks

   
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