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Re: Concave table questions

Author: Vytas
Date: 2007-04-27 05:03

Wes wrote:
> "The concave table seems to allow free vibration with less restriction on reed movement than the flat table. A convex table would result in inconsistent reed placement. The concave table allows the unrestricted vibration about two fulcrums while the flat table results in reed vibration somewhat like a clamped bar. These modes are discussed in textbooks on mechanics." <

A facing length and tip opening is the area where the vibration of a reed counts the most. A lot of different playing characteristics can be created by restricting or allowing more reed vibration. But there is always a limit how much is too much or too little. By favoring one side we loose something on the other. The mouthpiece with closer tip and shorter facing results in more restricted reed vibration than a mouthpiece which is more open and has longer facing.

Long facing: Many players prefer longer facings because of the warmth of sound in the chalumeau. Long facings favor the low register of the clarinet but you have to work much harder to get a good response and timber from the altissimo.

Short facing: Some players (especially beginners) prefer shorter facings for easy response and timber in the altissimo. Short facings favor the high register but the chalumeau sounds somewhat dull just like someone turned the low frequencies off.

Medium facing is the best of both worlds. (Matson, Kaspar etc.)

Open mouthpieces usually have more volume than the closed ones but not necessarily better projection.

Do you think the unrestricted reed vibration a good thing? Is more = better?

Vytas Krass
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Professional clarinet technician
Former professional clarinet player

Post Edited (2007-04-27 17:49)

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Date

Concave table questions

Ray

2007-04-19 13:45