Klarinet Archive - Posting 000879.txt from 1998/03

From: RCLARINET <RCLARINET@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Re: Re: Vandoren Mouthpiece
Date: Sat, 14 Mar 1998 11:45:07 -0500

In a message dated 3/13/98 7:51:01 PM, you wrote:

<<At 07:04 PM 3/13/98 -0600, Roger Garrett wrote:
>Actually Bill, if you reread many of the posts of the people who claim
>materials make no difference, they speak of materials in the clarinet
>itself, not the mouthpiece. Most of them concede that that mouthpiece
>materials actually do resonate/vibrate significantly to affect the sound.
>I thought you believed this too....don't you?
>
(I received this one out of sequence.)

OK, crystal is different from rubber is different from metal to some
degree, but I sincerely doubt that minute changes in composition
(percentage of lead in the crystal, for example) will make a difference
that is even measureable, much less audible.

Actually Bill, the difference would be audible before it would be measurable.
Chamber, baffle, etc. design
is the real key. I am prepared to be proven wrong, but double-blind
studies may be required.

Beak radius, slope and contour are all extremely critical, as well as beak
thickness at the tip. Some moutpieces are made of materials that transmit
higher partials and bring out what I can best describe as "non-musical" sounds
as part of the tone. I have a great deal of experience wth both hand working
mouthpieces and mouthpiece design and there are clearly some materials which
yield a characteristic color that knowledgeable design can in some ways
mitigate, but not entirely eliminate.
For example, rubber/plastic formulas which tend to sound brittle and edgy up
high can be compensated for by beak radius/slope manipulations----but the
bright tendency will always be there, albeit masked by perspicacious design.
Other materials will always produce a warm, pure tone and OD and beak as well
as interior design changes will be needed to liven up the sound and get more
highs in the recipe of tone.
These realities are the very reasons many of us mouthpiece makers tend to use
certain shells, even though they may cost us over twice what other shells
might and be more difficult to get.
Believe me, if these things were just subjective smoke I would not be
purchasing the types of mouthpieces i do for my work. There is much less
expensive and more accessible things at hand...........but they just don't
work due to a variety of factors, materials being a major factor. I've seen
this proved out 100's of times. I would have tried something years ago and try
to go back to it in desperation.....and alas, it would be just as unworkable
as I have remembered it.
tom

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
ICQ UIN 4862265

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

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Date: Fri, 13 Mar 1998 20:46:51 -0500
From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subject: Re: Re: Vandoren Mouthpiece
References: <3.0.1.32.19980313193439.00716478@-----.com>

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