Author: Clark W Fobes
Date: 2011-10-20 23:46
REGARDING ASYMMETRY IN MOUTHPIECE FACINGS.
William makes a very interesting point about asymmetry. But the thought that we twist the mouthpiece as a result of supporting the clarinet and thus creating an unequal pressure on the reed is perhaps flawed. I think in practice we all rotate the mouthpiece to a position where out teeth feel comfortable. I would bet that most players do not play with the mouthpiece absolutely centered to the register key, which lines up with the thumb rest.
It is true that many of the original Kaspar facings (in my experience) were asymmetrical in the same manner as my CWF mouthpiece. On occasion, I may allow the left side to be asymmetrical to the end of the curve, but generally I prefer the facing to only be asymmetric near the tip. Most of my Eb mouthpieces are made this way and I like a very slight asymmetry on my contra mouthpieces. I feel that the slight asymmetry on the contra allows the reed to vibrate at the extremely soft dynamics, where as a completely parallel contra facing does not function quite as well at that dynamic.
I tend not to use any asymmetry in my bass mouthpieces, it lends a buzzines to the sound at the more extreme loud dynamic.
When I make asymmetrical facing I always make the LEFT side slight more open (Left as you look at your reed on the mouthpiece). For me, making the mouthpiece asymmetrical on the RIGHT side kills the sound. I have observed that MANY Vandoren mouthpieces are made this way and I think it is a flaw, not intentional.
The "trick" to making a successful asymmetrical facing is that the tip rail remain flat, flat, flat. It took some time to realize how to do this effectively.
Both Dan Johnston and James Pyne favor very asymmetrical facings which some players find very appealing. It can create a very warm sound due to resistance,but I think extreme asymmetry does create some aggravation for fitting reeds.
But as someone here so aptly wrote "play what works for you". Amen. I am not on this voyage to convert the world to my mouthpieces and as a player I hear a lot of my colleagues who sound great on equipment that is quite different from what I am doing. Ultimately, music needs to be enjoyable and if I can make playing the clarinet more enjoyable, more expressive and more facile for a large number of clarinetists through my products then I am achieving my goals as an artisan and artist.
Cheers,
Clark
Clark W Fobes - Clarinet & Saxophone Products
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