 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-09-24 10:40
Deciding to try something different from my usual 5RV, B45s etc, I bought a Greg Smith mouthpiece on Ebay here in Italy a few months ago. Due to holidays, work etc I only managed to really test it yesterday.
I was amazed at the difference it made. Not just the tone but it seems to give me more control. I used it with a Pyne barrel and my old student Hanson clarinet suddenly sounded a lot more expensive. With my more resistant Noblet 45 it made even my wife prick up her ears and remark on the sound. To put this into context, she's totally uninterested in music and would willingly use my clarinets as firelighters! ;-)
The MP appears to work best for me with lower strength reeds, 2/2.5 but that might be due to me needing some new stronger reeds.
The MP is cocobolo (I assume) and has an oval logo with "Gregory Smith Evanston" and a small C in the centre.
To the right of this '003' is scratched into the wood. To the left '1'.
Any information about this particular model would be gladly appreciated. The italian guy I bought it from on Ebay knew nothing about it.
Steve
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2006-09-24 11:48
You can find info at http://www.gregory-smith.com/
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-09-24 12:46
Thanks for the link Ed. Any idea what the difference is between the facings 1, 1++ etc. I couldn't find a reference to this.
Thanks,
Steve
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2006-09-24 15:53
Steve -
You have a rather early serial numbered (#003) Chedeville style hardwood mouthpiece from around 1996. The #1 designates the facing type.
Suffice it to say that all 4 facings within the Chedeville styled mouthpieces (1, 1*, 1+, and 1++) are medium styled facings, taking a medium styled reed, with very slight differences in the facing curve - this designed to accommodate slightly differing embouchures.
I like to think that I make one, optimal mouthpiece design in the Chedeville style and that the slight variation among facings is primarily designed for an individuals' comfort.
Gregory Smith
Post Edited (2006-09-24 16:13)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Scott S
Date: 2006-09-25 11:32
Steve,
Welcome to the world of increased articulation speed, dynamic control, and awesome tonal focus! I've had mine direct from Greg's workshop in Evanston (he helped me pick mine out) and I've been smiling ever since!
Great mouthpiece and wonderful adventures ahead for you in your playing on it!
All my best!
:-)
Scott S
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Liquorice
Date: 2006-09-25 16:28
"Welcome to the world of increased articulation speed"
While I agree that Mr Smith's mouthpieces are excellent, I don't credit them with the miraculous ability to increase the speed of my tongue!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-09-25 19:47
Dear Liquorice,
You are one of the fortunate ones who has not run into a myriad of mouthpieces that are resitant to the point of actually slowing down ones articulation. I myself have several other mouthpieces besides the Greg Smith that allow some incredibly light and responsive single tongue as well as unfettered double and triple tongue but the Smith is indeed my favorite of a very short list.
.............Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Liquorice
Date: 2006-09-25 22:39
Perhaps I misunderstood Scott's original statement about "increased articulation speed". Is he (and Paul) referring to:
(1) The speed at which a tone starts after I release my tongue from the reed?
or
(2) The speed at which I can play fast staccato?
If (1) then I can understand that some mouthpieces "speak" quicker than others. The Gregory Smith mouthpieces that I have tried can "speak" quickly, without much effort from the player, compared to more "resistant" mouthpieces.
However, I have never come across a mouthpiece that speaks so slowly as to stop me from achieving (2).
I had assumed that Scott was saying that Gregory Smith mouthpieces were going to improve (2), which I would find rather optimistic to expect from a mouthpiece :-)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-09-26 16:28
I have to agree with my friends above. Greg Smith's mouthpieces are simply excellent and he is a total gentleman as well. Can't go wrong there! And, did you notice how you got an answer from the man himself? That's right. Greg frequents the bboard. Top notch guy!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2006-09-28 00:59
A number of former students and a few current really love and perform on Greg Smith's pieces..in fact they sound fantastic on them!!!
Iit is really a testimony to his great work. When you consider how much insight he brings playing in one of the finest orchestra's in the world then you have a fine recipe for success.
David Dow
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
