Klarinet Archive - Posting 000311.txt from 2001/07

From: Richard Bush <rbushidioglot@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Mouthpieces misconceptions!!!!!
Date: Thu, 12 Jul 2001 11:21:36 -0400

Bill Page wrote:

> In discussing mouthpiece manufacturing, a certain range of measurements that
> deviated to some degree from the nominal tip facing for a mouthpiece was
> given. From that data, others assumed that quality control at the factory
> must be out of whack.
>
> As a guy whose day job is quality manager for a major electronics
> manufacturing company, I'd like to weigh in with just a little
> clarification. The term "out of control" implies that the process is
> consistently providing product that is outside a given tolerance range (spec
> limit) around the expected (nominal) measurement. That spec limit (range)
> is determined by the factory as the amount of variance that will allow the
> company to efficiently manufacture the product WHILE meeting the customers'
> needs/expectations. Sampling the process on a regular basis allows us to
> determine if the process is meeting requirements. A number of products are
> checked, their measurements evaluated for the average and the distribution
> of variance from the expected norm. If no measurements are outside the of
> the spec limit previously determined, it may be decided that no action needs
> to be taken.
>
> What we don't know from the short example given: a) how large the sample
> size was; 2) whether the sampled units were from one or many lots; c) the
> distribution of the measurements around the nominal target. Ergo, we would
> be jumping to conclusions to decide that the company named earlier has
> process control problems.

I understand such things as tolerable limits or perimeters. Maintaining quality
control certainly varies from product to product. Some manufactured goods are
easier to make with great consistency than others. Mouthpiece making represents
many subtle and interrelated variables that must be balanced and compromised.
Add to that the fact that certain steps are performed by hand and cannot be
done by machine and the prospects of achieving a product that falls within
acceptable limits becomes even harder to achieve and maintain.

The buyer who chooses a mouthpiece may or may not have a large selection from
which to choose. The buyer may or may not be sophisticated in making a good
choice that will serve him well for a long period of time as s/he progresses
and becomes a better player.

The buyer also does not have, nor probably will never have, such information as
to whether the those mouthpieces being tried are representative or average. The
buyer doesn't get to try whole lots or runs of a given model or facing.

Any information or opinions the buyer forms from the testing and trial process
can only be considered anecdotal, but the buyer must operate and make his
decision based upon what is at hand.

My experiences with the B-45 mouthpiece have been periodic samplings over a
period of many years. Since the maker does not stamp a serial number on them,
the time of manufacture, lot run, etc. cannot be known, such information would
probably not benefit nor enlighten me in any way. Any feelings or opinions I
might have about the model are those empirically gained from my experiences of
playing them. In the end, it is the potential buyer who either buys or passes
on the product.

>
>
> Truth of the matter is, if making the perfect mouthpiece was a simple matter
> of bore diameter, tip facing, length, etc., someone would have perfected the
> process long ago. I don't know if the average clarinet player could tell
> the difference between 1.15 facing and 1.13 or 1.17. Some of you certainly
> could...that's why the guys who handcraft and personally test each
> mouthpiece have a market.

I contend that there is no such thing as a perfect mouthpiece. What one person
likes, another might reject and strongly dislike. To some degree, it is within
this arena or marketplace that allows the maker to have variation with his
product and still satisfy, on average, the general public.

>
>
> I have no idea what the facing on my B45 actually is. I do know where to
> (normally) place my reed and ligature on that mouthpiece to get a reasonable
> tone that blows easily. On the days when my normal setup doesn't work, I
> don't blame the mouthpiece -- it didn't change overnight!

You don't need to know what the facing on your B-45 is. Obviously, you like it
or you wouldn't be playing it.

No, a mouthpiece doesn't change overnight, unless of course, the player decides
to wash it in extremely hot water and warps it. Mouthpieces do, however, change
over time because of oxidation, chemical changes and wear.

>
>
> Bill Page
> Kenosha WI
>
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