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Re: Leblanc Pete Fountain barrels cut short?

Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2022-05-23 00:18

AndyW,

When I stated: "shorter the facing...the easier it is to play the altissimo notes", I now sense that I could have used a better word than "play". Perhaps I should have said: "shorter the facing...the easier it is to access the altissimo notes."

Perhaps reading through some of the following explanations from various authorities can help me explain that assertion better:

From Walter Grabner: http://www.clarinetxpress.com/facings.html

From Theo Wayne: https://theowanne.com/knowledge/mouthpiece-facings/

From tcnj.edu: https://owd.tcnj.edu/~mckinney/mouthpiece.htm

From Vytas Krass (2nd response): http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=214255&t=214242&v=f

From Dawkes in the UK: “Short facing lengths make a reed feel harder, and long facings make the same reed feel softer.” https://www.dawkes.co.uk/sound-room/top-tips-testing-a-clarinet-mouthpiece/ (3rd paragraph under #3)

From Neffmusic: https://www.neffmusic.com/blog/2008/08/sax-mouthpieces-the-length-of-the-facing-curve/ (His “soft” reed playing characteristics with a short facing match those of Dawkes.)

From Tom Ridenour: http://lindseybresourcefile.weebly.com/uploads/1/3/7/5/13753093/article-understanding_clarinet_mouthpiece_facings.pdf

Actually, my understanding of the last three are quite similar in their explanations, i.e., a soft reed on a short facing "feels stiffer" thus facilitating its ability to vibrate in the altissimo region.

Now, as to playing effort, that, I believe, depends upon size of the tip opening, baffle depth, etc.

Post Edited (2022-05-23 02:19)

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