Klarinet Archive - Posting 000461.txt from 2000/10

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Mouthpieces
Date: Mon, 9 Oct 2000 18:07:55 -0400

I play, on soprano clarinet and bass clarinet, mouthpieces that have flat
tables and symmetrical facings. I play on saxophone mouthpieces that have
slight variations of the side rails. Both work for me.

I adjust reeds so they are balanced for either their symmetrical or
asymmetrical platforms. I find that slightly asymmetrical facings offer the
player a broader pallet of tone colors. Application, concept and playing style
all play a role in this. (Notice how many words have "y" in them? Why is that?)

"Kevin Fay (LCA)" wrote:

> Bilwright asked:
>
> <<<I looked at all my mouthpieces and also paged through Gibson, but to my
> naked eye, there's no evidence (or mention) of unsymmetrical rails. Is an
> unsymmetrical mouthpiece a rare and specialized item, or a common
> item that I've never noticed?>>>
>
> Depends on your definition of "common." Most store-bought mouthpieces
> probably don't have asymmetrical facings. Many of the custom handmade ones
> do. You won't be able to tell with the naked eye (I least I can't), but a
> glass and set of feeler gauges will show that many custom mouthpieces have
> asymmetrical facings. Most of Jim Pyne's that I have seen/owned are
> "crooked." Dan Johnston makes them both ways, as does Richard Hawkins.
> Greg Smith just posted that his are symmetrical. I don't know about
> Roger's.
>
> Greg Smith mentioned that the asymmetry will do a number of things. He'd
> know better than me, but in general an asymmetrical facing will be more
> resistant for the same tip opening. I find that my articulation is cleaner
> on a symmetrical facing -- but won't state that to be a generality. There
> are strong feelings on both sides of the issue. I used a "crooked" facing
> Dan Johnston for years, but later switched to a "straight" facing model
> (which happened to be Dan's personal facing). Today my personal preference
> is a Greg Smith 1*.
>
> All of these gentlemen -- plus others on the list whose pieces I haven't
> tried (yet), like Walt Grabner and Clark Fobes -- make dang fine
> mouthpieces. Each of them can list a posse of devotees who will swear by
> them and sound great.
>
> The solution? Try a bunch and find the one you like. (Or if you want to do
> as I do and not as I say, buy one of each and drive yourself crazy.)
>
> kjf
>
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