Klarinet Archive - Posting 000038.txt from 2004/06

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Mouthpiece tragedy
Date: Wed, 2 Jun 2004 23:29:43 -0400


One of the best benefits of being a mouthpiece craftsman is that you get to
try out, and play dozens, if not hundreds of mouthpieces.

In the course of making up a batch of mouthpieces, about 4 weeks ago, I
made/developed/happened across a mouthpiece that had - literally - a tone to
die
for, and fantastic, lightening fast response.

Naturally, I grabbed it for my own. Loved it, cherished it. Colleagues in
rehearsal commented on the tone and the clarity of articulation. Even my
spouse
(who as a flute player, thinks all clarinetists are crazy) said good things
about it.

However, as I played it, the more I realized it had serious flaws in
intonation. Creeping sharpness in the throat area. Flatness in the altissimo.
Just too
much to handle and play really well in tune.....

I sadly put it away and played some concerts on one of my other "babies." I
was examining it today, and saw that inside the windway, the right side wall
was beveled outward. This had to be a manufacturing flaw, as I did no work
inside on the side walls on this mouthpiece.

I'm going to do some more measurements and testing, but I am very afraid that
that which made the virtues also caused the flaws.

I also don't think there is a remedy, and very possibly the mouthpiece is
useless.

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com
World-class clarinet mouthpieces

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