Klarinet Archive - Posting 000656.txt from 1999/11

From: "O'Neile & Fisher" <redcedar@-----.au>
Subj: Re: [kl] Irregular Mouthpieces
Date: Tue, 16 Nov 1999 18:32:19 -0500

James,
Thank you for your response. I hope you will indulge me in what may seem
like a dumb, though related, question.
In a former working life I got to see a lot of the innards of aircraft jet
engines, and was fascinated by the design concern for optimal air/gasflow (I
am not an engineer).
Although the analogy may not be a good one, I am similarly interested in the
efficiency of the airflow in clarinet playing, given its importance to the
resultant sound. Much has been said on this list and elsewhere about the
significance of the oral cavity, sinuses, instrument bore and the like, all
focussed in the main on minimising the impedence of the airflow, save of
course for the reed's resistant role. Yet smack bang in the middle of this
airflow channel of curved surfaces from lungs to clarinet bell, there is a
decidedly angular throat in an otherwise smoothly shaped mouthpiece. To cap
it off, some manufacturers take pride in making more acute, the angle of the
walls of the throat, which seems even less consistent with an assumed desire
for smooth flow and roundedness of sound.
There is clearly something fundamental missing in my understanding, so I
would appreciate an explanation from you, or indeed anyone else, who could
shed light on this for me.
TIA,
Michael

At 02:44 PM 14/11/99 EST, you wrote:
>Michael,
>
>You asked,
>
>>1. I assume the bore of the mouthpiece is drilled, but how is the
>>throat typically machined and shaped to integrate with the bore?
>
>With curved files or a machine similar to a broaching apparatus that operates
>with a back and forth motion.
>
>Also you questioned,
>
>>2. Why is it not possible to extrude or mould (if those are the correct
>>terms) the plastic mouthpiece and gain the apparently fine dimensional
>>tolerances that seem to be readily achieved with other plastic products?
>>Michael
>
>Hard rubber is difficult to mold accurately and the interior shapes of the
>mouthpiece make core removal a problem. Also "fine dimensional tolerances"
>are usually thought of as being in the neighborhood of + or - .001. Better
>tolerances than that are needed especially in the facing curve, possibly
>.0002 or so.
>
>---James Pyne
>Pyne/Clarion, Inc.
>http://www.pyne-clarion.com
>1-800-JPYNE-440
>614-766-7878 phone
>614-766-7043 fax
>
>>James Pyne wrote:
>>"On the other hand, clarinet and saxophone mouthpieces are irregular in
>shape,
>>both inside and out, yet must be held in a position in which some sort of
>>machining tool (and this varies between manufacturers) can cut the facing.
>etc."
>>
>>James,
>>My curiosity is aroused.
>>1. I assume the bore of the mouthpiece is drilled, but how is the
>>throat typically machined and shaped to integrate with the bore?
>>2. Why is it not possible to extrude or mould (if those are the correct
>>terms) the plastic mouthpiece and gain the apparently fine dimensional
>>tolerances that seem to be readily achieved with other plastic products?
>>Michael
>
>
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