Klarinet Archive - Posting 000088.txt from 1998/04

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Crystal mouthpieces
Date: Thu, 2 Apr 1998 19:29:13 -0500

At 11:52 AM 4/2/98 -0500, Ken Wolman wrote:
>Has anyone out there had any experience with the playing characteristics of
>crystal mouthpieces, e.g. Pomarico, as opposed to general playing
>characteristics of hard rubber? I know: mileage may vary, but I was
>wondering if there is anything particularly interesting about the sound or
>ease of production in a crystal mouthpiece.
>
I have found that crystal mouthpieces take some getting used to. They feel
very cold and hard. Your teeth do not get even the grip they get on hard
rubber. That's why I started using mouthpiece patches. I also found that
a Luyben ligature does not grip well on a crystal mouthpiece. The
crystal's facing is less subject to wear than a rubber mouthpiece's. But
they are also particularly unforgiving about being dropped!

Other than that, I know of no major differences. The particular mouthpiece
I have (O'Brien) has (pardon the pun) a crystal clear upper register, but
very weak chalumeau. I suspect this is design rather than material, though.

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.