Klarinet Archive - Posting 000130.txt from 1997/06

From: Jack Kissinger <kissingerjn@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Mouthpiece facings
Date: Thu, 12 Jun 1997 13:39:17 -0400

Lynnette,

As a starting point, Clark Fobes has contributed an extremely useful
article on mouthpiece nomenclature to Sneezy. To access it go to:

http://sneezy.mika.com/clarinet/Equipment/MBL/Mouthpiece.html

In general, the greater the tip opening and the shorter the "curve" (or
facing, as described in the article) the greater the mouthpiece's
"resistance" and the "softer" the reed that will play comfortably -- but
the shape and size of the chamber and bore are also factors.

If you have a catalog from International or a recent box of Vandoren
reeds, there should be a diagram that gives both facing and tip opening
measurements for Vandoren mouthpieces. For the most part, however, the
only measurement commonly given in catalogs is the tip opening.

What will be comfortable for you? Only you can tell. Because the Eb
mouthpiece is so much smaller overall than the Bb, however, your Bb
preferences will probably not be much help except that your general
preference (open, medium, or close) on the Bb will probably be an
indicator of your preference on the Eb -- but no guarantee because most
Eb's tend to be harder blowing than Bb's.

If you can find the measurements for your current Eb mouthpiece, e.g.,
in one of the mail order catalogs, you may be able to use that as a
starting point. What is it that you don't like about your current
mouthpiece -- too much resistance, not enough resistance, difficulty
playing in tune (may not be the mouthpiece, however), difficulty playing
altissimo (might be not enough resistance or might not be the
mouthpiece)? If you want greater resistance, you might start by trying
mouthpieces with larger tip openings and/or shorter facings than the one
you have. If you want less resistance, start with closer openings
and/or shorter facings. Or select a manufacturer and try a variety of
different opening/facing combinations. As has been documented often on
this list, ultimately the only way to select a
mouthpiece/barrell/ligature/reed/clarinet is trial and error.

Hope this helps.

Jack Kissinger
St. Louis