Klarinet Archive - Posting 000339.txt from 2001/11

From: Ed Wojtowicz <ewoj@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Wooden mouthpieces...was Mouthpiece life span
Date: Thu, 8 Nov 2001 12:16:59 -0500

> From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
> Subject: [kl] Wooden mouthpieces...was Mouthpiece life span
>
> Ed says:
>
> <<I often wonder about these issues with wooden mouthpieces. From season to
> season, with changes in humidity and temperature, I have often found slight
> but nonetheless, existing differences in how my barrel fits, or slightly loose
> rings or differences in how the keywork feels due to swelling or shrinking of
> the wood. In a mouthpiece, where tolerances are in thousandths
> of an inch I would think this would cause changes in the facing or baffle.>>
>
> Ed, what about this situation? Because of changes in humidity and temperature,
> the clarinet changes but the mouthpiece does NOT?

Walter,

To clarify my original thoughts, since the mouthpiece and relationship of
each of the dimensions within is extremely crucial to response, tuning etc,
was there any measurable change over time? Whether over the seasons or
years, did the bore or facing change in the way that the bore of a barrel
may swell or warp over time, even with the best of care? Would there be any
chance that over time a 101 tip became a 98 or 104? Maybe because the
mouthpiece would be subject to more constant moisture, it may be more
consistent than other parts of the instrument. I also think that while all
of the dimensions in the clarinet have effect, the mouthpiece would have a
greater effect than whether my bell ring has become loose. I think that you
and Greg Smith have answered my concerns.
>
> Many serious clarinetists take care to humidify their instruments (and reeds)
> during the super dry heating season, using a variety of accessories or orange
> peels. If you humidify the mouthpiece as well, wouldn't this take care of the
> problem?

Yes, of course, I am well aware of this, and actually find that the peels
seems to humidify better than a dampit or similar device. I don't know why
this would be the case.
>
> I will report in from time to time on how this mouthpiece is weathering the
> Chiago winter.

This is what I was wondering all along! I do not question the results that
you and Greg Smith report. I realize that hard rubber can also change, but I
have no experience in the wooden mouthpieces, which led to my curiosity.

> Walter Grabner

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