Klarinet Archive - Posting 001092.txt from 1999/05

From: Kratofil <kratofil@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Re: Re: mouthpieces, Gigliotti,Morgan,Borbeck
Date: Mon, 24 May 1999 07:41:51 -0400

Roger Garrett wrote:
> It is surprising, but should not be, how someone can craft a mouthpiece
> themselves. Kind of like installing hardwood, building a wagon for your
> kids' beanie babies, or whatever (I am sure the mouthpiece craftsmen will
> roll their eyes at these suggestions), learning to do something is not
> difficult - but time consuming. There is one major component to
> mouthpiece making/facing that is an absolute requirement - the person
> making the mouthpiece must be a great player.

Yes, mouthpieces are somewhat of a mystery to me. The discussions on
this list, and now my short conversation with my new "mouthpiece guy"
are the extent of my knowledge. It is facinating to me the differences
that are possible, with such small changes. And this guy did some
playing while I was there, and you may be right, he impressed me with
his playing, as well. And that makes sense. He plays them as he is
making them. I picked the one that he thought was the best in the
current batch.

> Something interesting - once I had played on the Pyne S13 (which took me
> aver a month to adjust to and another year to learn to fix reeds to), when
> I went back to some of the other mouthpieces that played sharp for me,
> they were no longer sharp! Why? My belief is that moving to the Pyne
> forced me to use air correctly - and it forced me to develop muscles in my
> embouchure that I had not been previously using.

Yes, I realize that I have a lot to do with it, too. Right now, as I am
moving back into "big practicing", I am noticing that as I get tired, I
bite and the pitch goes right up. I've got to build up those muscles
again. It will be interesting to go back to the Morgans, and see if it
is any easier on them. Although, all through college, when my emb was
last at its best, I tended to be sharp. But, on this new mouthpiece, I
at least don't start out sharp!

> Just some Sunday morning musings.....sorry if I got carried away.

No, in fact, I'm glad you repsonded in such detail. I'm a nut for
knowledge! I like the mouthpiece that plays comfortably, but I'd always
love to know why!

Now, the next question, is that this nice man has offered to adjust it,
if I want. He said, "If you want it to be more ______, just ask." I'm
assuming that some things will affect others? Say, if I want it to be a
bit more repsonsive (speak more quickly), what will I sacrifice?

Aimee Kratofil
Greensburg, PA

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