Klarinet Archive - Posting 000284.txt from 1998/11

From: Jacqueline Eastwood <eastwooj@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: [kl] Greg Smith Mouthpieces--Beware!
Date: Mon, 9 Nov 1998 10:29:07 -0500

On Sun, 8 Nov 1998, Kevin Fay wrote:

<Kevin's lengthy manic rambling snipped for courtesy>

When I saw your subject header, I was concerned that you had a bad
experience -- and I'm still not sure!

I have been playing on a Greg Smith mouthpiece (#1 facing, I think) for
about 2-1/2 years, and went through the same trial process you did. For
me, it was easy to identify the facing I liked best, and I was quite
certain I got a real winner in the first batch. But, like with you, Greg
insisted on sending another two in the same facing, *plus* a couple of
Chadash barrels (I play on a Moennig 68mm, which, with the low tendency of
the Zinner blanks, he thought would bring the pitch too low). Then the
process became somewhat hellish -- having to make a choice, trying to get
people to do blind tests, etc. Plus the fact that I had all this stuff
"deposited" against my credit card! Talk about pressure! I spoke to Greg
several times and was always worried that I'd come off like some sort of
amateurish idiot, but he was always patient, never superior.

I ended up choosing the first #1 facing mouthpiece, that came in the first
batch of three. It has a lovely resonance, almost a ringing quality, but
I hate to use that kind of terminology. I have to use resonance
fingerings for throat tones to equalize the pitch with the long barrel,
but after a couple of years, it's second nature now. I'm hoping to have
enough $$ to purchase a spare when I have the time to go through this
Chinese water torture process again!!!!!!

Hope everything works out for the best, Kevin!

Jacqueline Eastwood
Business Manager, School of Music Principal Clarinet, Arizona Opera
University of Arizona 98-99 Season Website:www.azopera.com
eastwooj@-----.edu

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