Klarinet Archive - Posting 001000.txt from 1997/02

From: Ronald Saska <rsaska@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: C clarinet mouthpieces
Date: Thu, 27 Feb 1997 23:29:11 -0500

I tried to use my regular soprano B-flat mouthpiece on my C but I found
that would not work for me so I also tried the stock mouthpiece that came
with the horn (I have a Noblet too). That mouthpiece worked a little
better for me as long as I used a stiffer reed but the sound was a little
bright and pitch was not terriffic so I kept looking around for something
different. I have finally settled on a "standard" commercially available
mouthpiece which I have doctored by deepening the baffle a bit and using
a harder reed for this instrument. This way I can get my C to play and
feel simular to my B-flat and A and still keep the pitch in good order.

Ron Saska
Jacksonville State University
Jacksonville, Alabama 36265
rsaska@-----.edu

On Thu, 27 Feb 1997, Jacqueline Eastwood 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
>