 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: jmberch
Date: 2006-10-17 15:47
I know there are a few mouthpiece makers on this site, and others who are experiences with this subject. I was just wondering if any of you could explain what open/medium/closed tip mouthpiece's measurements are (.101-.105=open, .105-.107=open/medium, ect.) and what reed sizes are suggested for the different openings
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: hans
Date: 2006-10-17 16:33
jmberch,
If you visit www.vandoren.com you will find a chart that shows many of their mouthpieces and describes them as being open, medium open, medium, or medium closed. Similarly, the facing lengths are given.
Reed strength required is a function of more than tip opening and facing length, and requires some testing by the player. In general, a long facing requires a stronger reed and a closed mouthpiece also requires a stronger reed. The opposite applies to open and short facing.
I hope that will help.
Regards,
Hans
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-10-17 16:52
There are no direct correlations in that a long lay (the amount of curved space between the tip of the mouthpiece and where the reed permanently makes contact) may be employed on a smaller openning to make the mouthpiece require a softer reed. Then there are the internal arrangements of space that make mouthpieces more resistant or less resistant. The bottom line is that you need to try out a mouthpiece to know how it will play for you and then begin the process of discovering what reeds will work best.
NO EASY ANSWERS HERE!!!
...........Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-10-17 18:09
Paul, I believe that Hans has stated the situation correctly: for any given tip opening, a longer lay requires a harder reed in order to keep the reed from 'closing off'. Making the tip opening smaller, for a given length of facing, also necessitates a harder reed. The internal dimensions (baffle shape, internal volume) of clarinet mouthpieces have more effect on tone quality and intonation/general pitch level, and a smaller effect on resistance (though this effect can be huge with saxophone mouthpieces, which have an order-of-magnitude greater variance in interior dimensions than do clarinet mouthpieces, which are fairly standardized).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-10-18 10:47
Dear Dave,
Given the SAME tip opening, if the lay is longer (and here is where I am particularly qualified because I am a "long lay player") a longer lay will be more resistant or rather require more embouchure support.
Please witness the difference between the Vandoren B40 and the B40 Lyre.
Also, I have had the good fortune to audition (and purchase) Greg Smith mouthpieces lately. After trying about 14 different mouthpieces, there were two that played wonderfully for me. I wanted (really REALLY wanted) Greg to tell me the magical facing dimensions that these two mouthpieces must have shared to be so great for me. It turned out that they could not have been more different in facing and Greg Smith's explanation was that the balance of the internal dimensions to the facing is what gave them the qualities that I liked.
I would really, REALLY prefer an easy answer.
............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2006-10-18 12:36
Paul,
I wouldn't use differences between two Vandoren models as data points in a discussion, because Vandorens are mass-produced mouthpieces and there is tremendous variability between any two of them, even two with the same designation.
That said, there is another factor that can significantly affect response and tone, and that is the shape of the facing curve, in the sense of the rate of curvature at various points along it. One can have two otherwise identical mouthpieces, with identical tip openings and facing lengths, but if one of them is very 'flat' from the 'break' point to just before the tip and then curves sharply away, while the other has a sharp bend at the 'break' point and then stays flat all the way to the tip --- these two mouthpieces will play totally differently from each other. Yet they have the same tip opening and facing length! I think you can see my point.
I wish there were an easy answer. Then I wouldn't have to reface mouthpieces -- all those Vandorens, etc. would be perfect from the factory.
Regards,
DS
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-10-18 16:52
Dear Dave,
But you see that there is much more to the discussion than even curvature. I am playing with a recently acquired Wells mouthpiece (I thought for just nostalgia purposes at first). The lay is short, the tip opening is rather small but it plays like a (sorry) Vandoren B40 Lyre. The design of this mouthpiece utilizes a "keyhole" shaped window - it plays differently than any mouthpiece currently on the market today (it doesn't follow ANY rules).
As for Vandoren references, I merely assume that more of you would have some experience with a Vandoren or a Buffet mouthpiece. Not many Brad Behn Vintages out there for people to have any frame of reference.
...........Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
