Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2022-11-19 14:50
Dan, though the tip opening size is almost always strongly related to the proper reed strength (closer = stronger, wider = softer), there are some exceptions - because of other characteristics in mouthpiece design also affecting response and resistance.
A personal experience about this was when I compared the Playnick Verdi Traviata (tip opening 1.3mm according to Thomann, 1.28 according to a Eric Black video) with the Puccini Tosca (tip 1.15mm). The Verdi was indeed more free blowing in comparison, as also indicated by the larger tip opening - but to my great surprise it demanded stiffer reeds than the closer Puccini (to get an equal playing experience, concerning resistance, tone quality, etc)! As I remember from a Kückmeier video I watched later, also he is telling the same.
A comment also about the Playnick Nommos, which is primarily targeted at synthetic reeds. At least some mouthpiece makers believe that mouthpieces for synthetic reeds needs larger tip openings, as well as a different kind of facing curve compared to mouthpieces for cane. A representative of Maxton explained it to me by a wider vibrating amplitude and also differing pattern for the synthetic reeds (that must be at equal volume, wouldn't make sense otherwise). Thus all the Maxton mouthpiece offerings for synthetic reeds has a wider tip opening than those for cane reeds (as well as a differing facing curve). The same seems to be true about Playnick.
Concerning Viennese facings, if you get such a mouthpiece either with an altered tenon or barrel, also be prepared to take in a lot more than usual - because of the very long facings.
For my part, I'm extremely pleased with my Viennese Maxton Alban which I've played exclusively for over a year now, with an advertised tip opening of 0.864mm and a facing length of 28.5mm (the opening measurement isn't probably fully comparable with the Brand method, since Maxton themselves measures it "backwards" - as I understand, with a standardized reed size object held flat against the tip rail and the measurement then taken at the other end of that object, from how much it raises above the facing!).
I play on Reform Boehm instruments, with German/Austrian size sockets on the barrels, but some time ago I also ordered the same Alban facing on a Boehm-sized mouthpiece - both as a spare (its tenon actually fits German barrels, but because it's shorter there is a gap inside the barrel) and for possible future testing on Boehm clarinets.
The very long facings also makes Viennese mouthpieces a lot less resistant than what just the tip openings alone would indicate. Still, everything less than 0.85mm is too resistant and restricted in loud dynamics for me personally. On the other hand, some of the slightly more open Viennese facings can be lacking the more typical, Viennese kind of sound.
The Maxton Alban is for synthetic reeds, but I use it actually almost exclusively with cane - and it works better for me than other cane-models that I've tested. For me it's also far superior concerning tone, intonation, tonguing speed and air consumption compared to the Playnick's I've tested and also played previously on (the Brahms was the latest, before that a Viennese A' and a German Solist M).
When thinking about it, it could actually be that an "Alban" for you Dan could be less resistant than what you are used to - if that's somewhere in the M13-M15 range. I would probably rate the resistance of the Alban closer to a M30 or BD5 (with cane reeds and proper intake, of course).
Post Edited (2022-11-19 14:59)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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