Klarinet Archive - Posting 000421.txt from 2004/07

From: ormondtoby@-----.net (Ormondtoby Montoya)
Subj: [kl] Mouthpiece pitch
Date: Tue, 13 Jul 2004 12:06:21 -0400

Some time ago, I asked whether mouthpiece makers listen to their
mouthpieces (off the instrument) while they are making them. I think
it was Walter Grabner who replied "No, playing a mouthpiece by itself
doesn't tell me what I need to know."

I'd like to ask a slightly different question:

Since the same mouthpiece doesn't work for everyone, does anyone here
feel that listening to yourself play (and/or measuring your pitch while
playing) a particular mouthpiece off-the-instrument is a useful tool in
choosing a mouthpiece?

At the moment, I'm asking primarily about pitch and the tendency (or
lack thereof) of a particular mouthpiece to 'squeak' when played
off-the-instrument. A week or so ago, someone cited a web page which
says that the ideal Bb clarinet mouthpiece pitch is concert B natural,
and at least one person agreed that his/her teacher stressed the same
idea.

I've been working to bring my 'mouthpiece pitch' down to an even B
natural, and I'm wondering why you don't hear/read more about this idea
as learning tool, and also as an aid in selecting a mouthpiece?

---------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org

   
     Copyright © Woodwind.Org, Inc. All Rights Reserved    Privacy Policy    Contact charette@woodwind.org