Klarinet Archive - Posting 000289.txt from 1999/08

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Rubber v. Plastic
Date: Thu, 12 Aug 1999 11:09:32 -0400

GCalzati@-----.com wrote:

> In a message dated 8/11/99 11:00:07 PM Eastern Daylight Time,
> rbushidioglot@-----.net writes:
>
> > I hate Vandoren B45s. I consider them hard blowing, bright or
> > even shrill in tone and many play severely out of tune.
>
> They can be made to sound good if you find the right reed, ligature and a
> person with a good ear that can play in tune. Most often it is the player
> that plays out of tune, not the mouthpiece, although sometimes the
> instrument.

Gee whiz, without even trying, you seem to be suggesting that I am less than
discriminating in the reeds I choose to play on, use a $5 ligature, might be
insensitive to tuning and play out of tune. I'm sure there was a time in my life
when all of that was true, but it was probably 49 years ago when I started.

>
>
> If it is the mouthpiece, I believe that also can be rectified.

I'm sorry. Life's too short and playing the clarinet is too demanding to
"rectify" anomalies in any mouthpiece. Who in their right mind would willingly
play on a mouthpiece that renders throat tones twenty cents flatter than the
average tuning of all other notes and call such a set up manageable?

>
>
> Don't we all have to make adjustments to our pitch when we are playing next
> to others?

Yes.

> If you show up for a gig and there is a clunky out of tune piano
> would you change clarinets, barrels, mouthpieces or ligatures to adjust? No.

Well, maybe you wouldn't, but I might. I go on a gig with both short barrels and
with tuning rings. Then, if the piano is insufferably flat or even tuned sharp,
I have (sorta') options. If the piano is badly out of tune with itself, I resign
myself to a night of suffering.

>
> You would adjust the position of the barrel and make the other necessary
> adjustments with your embouchure and hope for the best.

Correct, as stated above.

>
>
> I have found Selmer plastic student clarinets to always play flat.

Selmer, plastic clarinets play flat? Not what I've experienced. While not as
sharp as current model Vitos, Bundys and their current name for the same
instrument, require a minimum pull of 1mm. It is probably closer to 1 1/2 mm
using the stock 66.5mm barrel.

Maybe others reading this will confirm this?

> I have my
> students get a shorter barrel and that rectifies the situation.

Using shorter barrels does not rectify the situation. In fact, it compounds and
totally exacerbates tuning. Any time an instrument is significantly altered in
length at the top end, the instrument is made more out of tune, short tube
length notes being those most effected.

>
>
> Don't get me wrong. I used to be a mouthpiece hopper. That never ending
> quest in an effort to sound just like I would like to sound.
>
> I was too busy always searching for mouthpieces that I could never practice
> properly because that variable was always changing. I realized after the
> last purchase that I liked the mouthpiece well enough at my first impression
> that I would make it work no matter what. I have been quite happy with it.

By your own admission, sounds like you did indeed spend too much time looking
for a panacea and would have spent your time and efforts to a greater good by
practicing more.

>
>
> It is the player who affects the sound first and foremost.

Correct, but I'm going to seek out that combination of equipment that helps me
sound the way I want to.

>
>
> Try this, have a player whom you respect and think it a better player try
> your equipment. You would not believe that it was your equipment. I
> guarantee you would say, "I didn't know it can sound like that!" (The only
> problem being that the person would probably use their own mouthpiece.)

I do this all the time. I've been repairing instruments since 1970. Have
occasion on a daily basis to try their equipment. Conversely, I often have them
play my set up to show them how good it can possibly be. While they might not
sound as good as myself, when given a chance to play a fine reed working on a
fine mouthpiece and plugged into a well regulated and good sealing instrument,
they sound much better.

> If
> you went out a purchased the same mouthpiece you still could not sound
> exactly like them.

I am well aware of this. No two people will sound the same with the same set up.
That's why we all look for what works for us.

>
>
> It is the person playing the instrument.
>
> There is the right combination of factors out there for every individual
> player. It is just a matter of finding out what works best for you.

I've done that and I work with my customers to help them do exactly the same,
"[find]...the right combination of factors" that work best for them.

>
>
> Sorry this has been so long.
>
> Georgette
>
>

BTW: If you ever get a chance, try some of Ralph Morgan's clarinet mouthpieces.

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