 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-05-14 00:51
I've been trying out two mouthpieces lately. I made what was to me a fascinating discovery. I could hardly coax a sound out of a mouthpiece that played beautifully for someone else. The mouthpiece in question had a much longer facing length than I was used to. For those not familiar with the term, the facing length is the distance from the tip of the mouthpiece to the point where the gap between the reed and the mouthpiece rails meet.
My problem was that I was not putting enough mouthpiece in my mouth to accomodate the longer facing length and was killing the reed vibration. When I discovered what the problem was, I could get much better results with it, but it felt quite odd and uncomfortable. My old mouthpiece and the second trial mouthpiece each had a shorter facing length and played normally for me.
I guess I have a technical question for the teachers: Does the fact that I cannot play a mouthpiece with longer facing length indicate that I need to take more mouthpiece in my mouth regardless of my equipment selection? If so, then a long facing length mouthpiece would be a great training mouthpiece for a teacher to have in their arsenal. I'll look forward to hearing your thoughts . . . I need to decide on the mouthpiece(s) !!
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-05-14 01:53
"As much mouthpiece as you can take in, until you squeak... then back it out."
I'm paraphrasing someone, no doubt.
Most of us play on a 'Medium facing' based on the Eric Brand and Johnston measuring schemes.
There are a few deviations from normal lip anatomy that some longer facings accomodate.
Facing length may be less important than the rate of change in the curve for your playing style. That is, two mouthpieces could have the same length of lay, same tip opening and flex the reed in different places.
I strive for flexibility in tone, ease of play and comfort over longer playing periods.
anji
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-05-14 02:05
Anji, do you know where a Vandoren 5RV falls in those measuring schemes? That is my reference mouthpiece.
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Author: John Scorgie
Date: 2001-05-14 05:21
Fred --
Try stiffer reeds. If you use a #3 reed on your 5RV, you will probably need at least a #4 reed for the long lay mpce. If you use a #4 reed on your 5RV, you will probably need a #5 reed for the long lay mpce.
Note that while you can play a long lay mpce with a medium reed, your dynamic range will be constricted because the mpce will begin to choke up at mezzo forte level. IMHO, playing on a long close lay with a soft or medium reed is not a pleasant experience.
"Swallowing" the mpce is another approach which some players take, but every player I have ever heard who takes in a lot of mpce (usually with a lot of jaw pressure and a soft reed) has problems controlling the sound, especially in the high register.
Let us know how you are doing.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-05-14 15:09
Thanks, John. I've always been attuned to the differences that tip openings made, but facing length has been somewhat of a mystery. This will be a learning experience.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-05-14 16:16
Hey Fred,
I just slapped my Morgan gauge on the 5RV I have handy. The chart is at the bottom. Let me preface this with a few caveats;
I'm a (some say gifted, others say hack) amateur so take this with a grain of salt.
I STRONGLY recommend you contact Chris Hill and Dave Spiegelthal, players of the first rank and mouthpiece makers/refinishers. These guys know what they're doing and I stole what little I know from the likes of them.
My gauges should be pretty accurate, but there is variance from one set to the next. I'm using my own eyes for the measurements, so referr to caveat 1.
Gauge Measurement
.04mm 34 (Gauge stops at 17mm - don't ask!)
.25mm 21
.61mm 10
.86mm 5
Tip 1.08mm
Window opening length 32mm
The relation of the second and third gauge points makes the most difference to me and my playing. The tip opening is considerably smaller on my M13, but the facing is similar.
Remember, this is only part of the puzzle. The exit bore, near the tenon cork and shape of the baffle really impart flavor and timbral changes.
Like I said, I now know enough to realize how little I actually know.
anji
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2001-05-15 04:47
Depending on the specific 5RV that you're talking about (they're all a little different) the facing will be medium to medium short. (At least the ones I've measured fall in that range.) Most of the difference between the 5RV and the M13 is in the interior dimensions. The bore on the M13 is a little bigger, particularly towards the top, and the baffle scoops down deeper. You may find it helpful to try a Vandoren 5RV13. I usually use a medium length facing, but have used long, close facings at various points in my career. This type of facing generally works best with a mouthpiece with a deep baffle, such as the M13 or Gigliotti. However, longer facings are sometimes harder for people to control if they aren't practicing regularly.
Chris
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Author: John Scorgie
Date: 2001-05-15 04:50
Anji--
Thanks. Your 5RV measurements will permit me to bring my old 5RV back to factory specs.
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