Klarinet Archive - Posting 000561.txt from 1997/09

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: HS* mouthpieces
Date: Wed, 10 Sep 1997 21:36:01 -0400

At 11:05 PM 9/8/97 -0500, you wrote:
>On Mon, 8 Sep 1997, Bill Hausmann wrote:
>
>> All of our student-line plastic and wood Selmer clarinets are ordered
>> from the factory with HS* mouthpieces.
>
>I guess my comments on this will start another all-out war. Still, I am
>rather sorry to hear this. In the part of the musical world where I live,
>work and circulate, the enthusiasm for the HS* mouthpiece died out about
>1959 or so. With its short lay and narrow tip opening, it not only
>permits but requires a more resistant reed than the player might opt for
>otherwise.

I didn't say I liked the HS*, just that it is what we get, and what many
local band directors specify. I would prefer an HS**, or even better, a
C85, but I'm just a lowly road man. I also find the HS* too restrictive,
but, because it tends to limit one's ability to alter pitch with the
embouchure, also keeps beginners closer to the correct pitch regardless of
sloppy embouchure (good for ensemble sound, the band director's goal, but
maybe not so good for the individual student's development). Additionally,
many local directors (da*n brass players!) seem to equate reed strength
with goodness. If they want their players to be better, they buy them
stiffer reeds!!! ("I have a great clarinet section! They all play
Vandoren 5's!") At least when the kids are playing HS*'s, this actually
works to a degree.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.