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Re: Mouthpieces

Author: hans
Date: 2004-07-20 14:13

markeymark,

This may help you....

The flat part, on which the reed is placed, is called the "table", the two sides of the opening covered by the reed are called the "side rails", and the fourth side of the opening is called the "end rail". The side rails curve away from the reed so that at the "tip" of the mouthpiece, they are farthest from the reed. This gap between the tip of the reed and the end rail is called the "opening". The area of non-contact between the rails and the reed is called the "lay". The entire set of measurements on the face of the mouthpiece is called the "facing".

The bevel inside the tip is called the "baffle"; the size and shape of the throat is the "tone chamber"; and the opening into the barrel is the "bore". The tone chamber has a major influence on tone quality.

The point where the rails leave the reed is similar to a fulcrum, even though the thick end of the reed does not leave the table. Thus, the longer the lay is, the stiffer the reed will have to be in order to overcome the longer vibrating section. The more open the mouthpiece, the softer the reed will have to be in order to close the mouthpiece easily. These principles should be used to guide the choice of a reed.

A mouthpiece which is too open will be rough in sound, while one which is not open enough will lack volume and flexibility and will seem "stuffy".

Regards,
Hans

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