Klarinet Archive - Posting 000314.txt from 2003/12

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Mouthpiece measurements....
Date: Fri, 12 Dec 2003 23:58:41 -0500

It's strange to me, that when clarinetists discuss mouthpieces they talk measurements, measurements, measurements.

Certainly the measurements are very important. But, what this discussion ignores is the fact that you can have two mouthpieces that have measurements that are (almost) exactly the same yet can have very different tonal characteristics.

Big differences can result from the way the interior of the mouthpiece is finished and/or polished in the baffle and the side walls and the bore or chamber. Generally smooth finishes are to be preferred. However, if this can be overdone, resulting in a mouthpiece that looses the ability to "cut through" and has a nice but small sound.

Ultra smooth surfaces can also produce a "plastic-like" sound which is not at all pleasant.

This again, is an area where the individual technician expresses his/her tastes and preferences.

Walter Grabner

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