Author: LonDear
Date: 2009-12-04 02:31
There can be a difference in the tone, but the biggest difference is the control and pitch. If you have a good, fairly open classical mouthpiece, you will be able to play jazz just fine, and even dixie and klezmer. You will have to work a bit more to get tone varieties with your jaw, throat and tongue position than you would with a "jazz" mouthpiece. With the big mouthpieces like a 5JB, crystal RIA or Pomarico, you have to vizualize it like you're speaking into a megaphone; everything is exaggerated. Every change you make with your throat and tongue is effectively amplified compared to a more traditional mouthpiece, giving you more control over the tonal variety with less effort. Since most clarinetists that I've worked with have a pretty stable system inside their mouth, the "jazz" mouthpiece should theoretically work for them for classical work. BUT, with the openness of the chamber also comes a bigger tip opening. Most players prefer a softer reed as the tip becomes more open, but those who cling to the harder reeds will also find that it becomes more difficult to keep the pitch steady for classical work.
You have to consider the variables in any ensemble you play in. For me, if I'm in a jazz combo, I would rather have the maximum flexibility for tone and pitch bending. If I'm playing classical or shows, I would rather keep my mouth still and concentrate on the printed music. In any venue, the most important part is listening.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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