Klarinet Archive - Posting 000094.txt from 2003/08

From: Jeremy A Schiffer <schiffer@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Mouthpiece selection - from a B45 to ??
Date: Tue, 5 Aug 2003 18:01:01 -0400

> I would caution blaming very bad intonation on a moutpiece! In my experince
> other things will play a greater role in intonation problems. Tone hole
> sizes, barrel lenth, pad hight. If that is your reason for switching
> mouthpieces, have your clarinet looked at by a very competant repair
> person. Make sure the horn is in correct adjustment before mouthpiece
> hunting.

Tom,

Here's my reasoning for blaming my mouthpiece:

First, the instrument was overhauled less than a year ago by a Very
Compenent Technician. It needs a little tinkering, but it still in
excellent shape.

Second, and primarily, when I put on a Pyne "Polycrystal" mouthpiece
(read: clear, hard plastic), the intonation is spot on. But with the B45,
in order to get the third space C in tune, the throat tones are 15-20
cents flat, and the second ledger line C isn't much better.

Unfortunately, while the intonation and response are great on the Pyne,
there's something about the sound quality that I don't like. I don't know
if it's a problem with all hard plastic mouthpieces, but it has an 'edge'
to the sound that I don't like. It seems to be a little thinner in texture
than the Vandoren.

Isn't the Fobes Debut plastic? I guess I worry that it may have the same
problem I found with the Pyne.

Thanks for the suggestions, I will look into those (and I may look into
the higher level Pyne ones as well). If anyone else has anything to add,
please do so.

jeremy
http://klezmer.org

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