Mouthpiece Work / clarinet mouthpiece curve
FROM: pjhmusic2004 (pjhmusic2004)
SUBJECT: clarinet mouthpiece curve
Hi. Could you please give advice on the following curve. The mouthpiece plays fairly well, but I would like to know if subtle changes could be made to improve further... Tip Opening is 1.2mm feeler readings are .0015 = 21mm .010 = 12mm .024 = 6mm .034 = 3.7mm .044 = 1.9mm The readings are as accurate as I can obtain using my homemade glass gauge Your advice will be greatly appreciated. Many thanks, Peter
FROM: kwbradbury (Keith Bradbury)
SUBJECT: Re: clarinet mouthpiece curve
I plotted the curve in Excel. The file is in the Files Clarinet area on the MouthpieceWork Site. The curve looks tight and resistant to me. But many clarinet players love their resistance. If you do not, consider taking your .010" and .024" readings up 1 mm each. I know enough about clarinet facing curves to know that I dont know enough about clarinet facing curves. My favorite ones have flat sections in them. I have heard these called "German" style facings. "Parabolic" is also often used to describe some clarinet facings that get gradually flatter towards the tip. I would expect these facings to have poor 3rd register response. But what do I know?
FROM: pjhmusic2004 (peterhepplewhite@...)
SUBJECT: Re: clarinet mouthpiece curve
Thanks for your help Keith, I have done as you suggested, opened up the 10, and 24 feeler reading by approximately 1mm The 10 is now exactly 13mm The 24 is now 6.9mm This piece now really sings!!! The free blowing / resistance balance is superb. This is now my #1 piece. Thanks again for your help. Peter