Klarinet Archive - Posting 000552.txt from 2002/10

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Wacky reed problem
Date: Mon, 21 Oct 2002 21:08:28 -0400

In a message dated 10/21/2002 7:45:15 PM Eastern Standard Time, bhausmann1@-----.net writes:

> Either in the student's mouth during the wetting process, or
> simply in playing a reed that is too soft and is being gradually more or less permanently toward the tip. Try taking one of the "closed" reeds and flexing it back outward with your fingers and try playing it>>

Here's an idea from a mouthpiece guy. Maybe the hand-me-down Borbeck that worked well for you is unsuitable for your student's jaw/lower lip placement, and as a consequence she is putting too much pressure on the reed where it is not supported by the facing. Depending on her jaw configuration, she might be putting pressure on the reed way ahead of the 'fulcrum" point where the reed leaves the mouthpiece?, thus "clamping" the reed dowwnward.

Ever wonder why there are multiple facings available? Or that a facing that is great for one person literally does not work for another? One of the reasons is where the individual's lip makes contact with the reed.

Why don't you try her with a mouthpiece with a shorter facing, and see if the "reed closing" problem goes away?

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com
mouthpiece refacing

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