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Mouthpiece chips

Author: oian
Date: 2006-08-05 04:47

Please forgive my ignorance as I am very new to the clarinet (or any musical instrument for that matter). I have a Selmer Signet Special that I am trying to learn to play, basically self teaching. I've had a lot of trouble with the usual newbie squeaking and squawking. When I looked at the mouthpiece I noticed some small chips along the tip with the largest on the corner of the air passage. On the chance that this might be part of the problem I filled them with some dental resin that's used to do fillings (leave it to a dentist!) and restored the original shape. Much to my surprise the instrument seems to be a lot easier to play and almost all of the squeaking/squawking has disappeared. The lettering on the mouthpiece is "The Peddler Co. Elkhart Ind. With 1 and a star on the side.

Is it my imagination or can such small chips cause such big problems?

Thanks for your comments, John

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Re: Mouthpiece chips

Author: redwine
Date: 2006-08-05 11:16

Hello,

Yes, they can! It seems that you successfully repaired your mouthpiece. Congratulations.

Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com

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Re: Mouthpiece chips

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-08-05 13:00

Yes [also], Ben's comments are correct. I have, and have had several of the [early 1900s] Pedler, Pruefer, Penzel-Mueller and Bettoney mps., most played quite well. Several did show "low #s", and were more difficult/demanding on reeds and embouchure, so I would "open up" the "lay" [increased the tip opening very slightly} by cautious sanding/polishing, whereby it removed scratches snd small chips on the table and lay. Most played somewhat easier and with improved tonalities. Ben and quite a few other mp workers would prob. do this for a small charge, with measurements as their guide, so I'd suggest your asking for their skilled help. After some playing and your "fingering" improve, you might find that your cl has some small "pad-leaks" which could cause "hard playing" and/or squeeks, so I'd suggest [at least] having a good cl'ist play your horn, perhaps some repairer's expertise is needed. Luck, Don

Thanx, Mark, Don

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Re: Mouthpiece chips

Author: Alseg
Date: 2006-08-05 14:50

A chip like you described can indeed totally mess up a mouthpiece.
You can now quit dentistry and embark on a lucrative career in mouthpiecodontia.

[grin]

Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-

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