Klarinet Archive - Posting 000459.txt from 2000/02
From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Mouthpieces
Date: Thu, 10 Feb 2000 10:04:14 -0500
In a message dated 2/10/00 2:35:17 AM Central Standard Time, Noteguy7@-----.com
writes:
<< Hello all, Just a quick question for all of the mouthpiece people on the
list.I
recently had my repairman take a look at my mouthpiece and he said that the
lay of my mouthpiece had some problems. For one thing two of the four
measurements that he took showed that the rails were not consistent.>>
We need more information. Consistent with what? Does he mean that the facing
is not symmetrical (exactly the same measurement on both sides)? If so,
that's not necessarily a bad thing in itself. For example, I prepared a
mouthpiece for my own use, utilizing an play-and-adjust approach, I didn't
check the facing until I had the mouthpiece playing just as I wanted.
Surprisingly, the measurements on the left side were slightly deeper than the
right. Still is, I left it that way.
<<He also pointed out a few other problems>>
Such as? Has the mouthpiece been damaged, nicked, worn? Mr. Hawkins is an
EXCELLENT mouthpiece technician. Unless the mouthpiece has been damaged, I
would like more information.
<<but my question is this. My mouthpiece, which is a hawkins by the way, has
a very nice sound better than any other mouthpiece that I have tried. I
would like to know how much of a difference should I expect to have in the
general tone of the mouthpiece if I was to have it refaced? >>
Very little change in the basic sound. Re-facing, in itself, will not change
the tone native to this mouthpiece. Tone is governed by the shape of the
windway and the curvature of the baffle. To a smaller extent the conical
flare built into the mouthpiece bore will affect tone, but has more to do
with tuning. A reverse conical barrel will focus and remove brillance from
the tone.
Changes to the width of the tip and side rails will have some affect, and any
alteration to the baffle or the (interior) side walls will affect tone. This
is technically part of what we call re-facing. I call this voicing.
<<Although I believe it to have a great sound my mouthpiece
has shortcomings in other areas mainly its staccato and altissimo range. >>
This is affected by reed selection.
<< Should I reface and what should I expect. Thanks in advance! >>
I don't know Mr. Hawkins policy. You might want to check with him first, he
might want to take a look at it. I know I would.
However, it's your mouthpiece, and you can do with it what you want. Just
select the best technician you can find.
Walter Grabner
http://www.clarinetxpress.com
Hand Crafted Clarinet Mouthpieces:
Bb/A, Eb, Bass
Clarinet Reed Making Kit
"Making Clarinet Reeds By Hand"
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