This is a good lead-in to a discussion.  
 
In the May/June 2009 issue of the Saxophone Journal, Wolf(e) Taninbaum wrote and article on Mouthpiece Design.  It is basically a "dump" of what he thinks about mouthpiece design.  
 
One of the points he makes is the French (concave) table is intentionally used by Babbitt, Vandoren and Bari.  He includes a sketch that shows the low spot to be .0015".  This concave table puts the reed "in a pocket" as per his description.  What he shows in the sketch is a hidden line indicating that this concavity is one that some might think of using to allow for reed swell.  It shows the sides of the table straight and the concavity in the middle of the table.
 
My observation of Babbitt mouthpieces is that this is not what they are using.  They hav a concavity that goes all the way across the table.  The ligature is then tightened to bow the reed into this concave table.  Also, the Babbitt STM Link concavity is on the order .003".
 
Maybe WT was trying to show the Babbitt concavity.  In his discussion he mentions that the ligature bows the reed.  
 
Anyone else have a take on this article?


      

--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, Keith Bradbury <kwbradbury@...> wrote:
(trimmed)

> One of the points he makes is the French (concave) table is intentionally used by Babbitt, Vandoren and Bari.  He includes a sketch that shows the low spot to be .0015".  This concave table puts 
(trimmed)
>  
> My observation of Babbitt mouthpieces is that this is not what they are using.  They hav a concavity that 

(trimmed)

How would one machine this concavity?  Certainly no one thinks that this is done by hand on each mouthpiece?

I don't think it is.  I think it is shrinkage after the heat produced by cutting the table, an accident of the production process.

Paul

Speaking as someone involved in the mouthpiece manufacturing business, I
agree with Paul...I think the phenomenon is common, but not intentional..I
see it all the time, and it's not absolutely consistent, leading  me to
think it's more the result of the manufacturing process on "mass produced"
mouthpieces
 
STEVE GOODSON
SAXOPHONE DESIGNER TO THE STARS
 

BASIC SHOP RATE................$100/HR
IF YOU WATCH.....................$125/HR
IF YOU ASK QUESTIONS......$150/HR
IF I HAVE TO LISTEN TO A CONCERT 
LONGER THAN FIVE MINUTES WHEN
YOU PICK UP YOUR HORN....$250/HR
 
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From: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com [mailto:MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com]
On Behalf Of tenorman1952
Sent: Thursday, April 16, 2009 12:56 PM
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] Re: Good ligature for tenor Otto link ? - The
"French Curve" Table
 




--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
<mailto:MouthpieceWork%40yahoogroups.com> , Keith Bradbury <kwbradbury@...>
wrote:
(trimmed)

> One of the points he makes is the French (concave) table is intentionally
used by Babbitt, Vandoren and Bari.  He includes a sketch that shows the low
spot to be .0015".  This concave table puts 
(trimmed)
>  
> My observation of Babbitt mouthpieces is that this is not what they are
using.  They hav a concavity that 

(trimmed)

How would one machine this concavity? Certainly no one thinks that this is
done by hand on each mouthpiece?

I don't think it is. I think it is shrinkage after the heat produced by
cutting the table, an accident of the production process.

Paul

--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, Keith Bradbury <kwbradbury@...> wrote:
>
> This is a good lead-in to a discussion.  
>  
> In the May/June 2009 issue of the Saxophone Journal, Wolf(e) Taninbaum wrote and article on Mouthpiece Design.  It is basically a "dump" of what he thinks about mouthpiece design.  
>  
> One of the points he makes is the French (concave) table is intentionally used by Babbitt, Vandoren and Bari.  He includes a sketch that shows the low spot to be .0015".  This concave table puts the reed "in a pocket" as per his description.  What he shows in the sketch is a hidden line indicating that this concavity is one that some might think of using to allow for reed swell.  It shows the sides of the table straight and the concavity in the middle of the table.
>  
> My observation of Babbitt mouthpieces is that this is not what they are using.  They hav a concavity that goes all the way across the table.  The ligature is then tightened to bow the reed into this concave table.  Also, the Babbitt STM Link concavity is on the order .003".
>  
> Maybe WT was trying to show the Babbitt concavity.  In his discussion he mentions that the ligature bows the reed.  
>  
> Anyone else have a take on this article?
>

I personally feel that bowing the reed with the ligature is undesirable for two reasons. It means the reed may not return to its previous setting each time it is removed, altering the response.

Also, bowing is surely going to restrict the free vibration along the reeds length.

I am about to flatten the table on a cheap plastic MPC. This 'French'  curve seems common on these mass produced items. It also has a noticeable upward curve at the butt end.
I've no doubt the reed and I will feel all the better for it!
 

Hi Folks.

I seem to have developed a trigger finger, and this is having an impact on my playing of the violin and flute (left index finger). Hasn't bothered my clarinet playing yet, but I'm thinking it might.

Has anyone dealt with this issue before?







      

Have you gotten a steroid injection yet? The injections combined with rest do work - you just don't want to get too many of them.

HTH,
FredB

----- Original Message -----
From: Dana
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 5:55 PM
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] trigger finger




Hi Folks.

I seem to have developed a trigger finger, and this is having an impact on my playing of the violin and flute (left index finger). Hasn't bothered my clarinet playing yet, but I'm thinking it might.

Has anyone dealt with this issue before?

I'd avoid the steroid injection and rest as much as possible first.  if you
are a pro and have to play, you may not have a choice, but if you don't
absolutely have to play, take the time to rest.  Make sure your instrument
is sealing properly, because in my case, I am sure my trigger thumb resulted
from pressing too hard on keys that were not seating properly.  Steroids did
not help me, but eucalyptus oil and rest did.  I have had no further
problems and I am very conscientious about avoiding muscle tension while
playing. Good luck. John

On Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 9:47 PM, Fred Bauer <frbauer@...> wrote:

>
>
> Have you gotten a steroid injection yet? The injections combined with rest
> do work - you just don't want to get too many of them.
>
> HTH,
> FredB
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> *From:* Dana
> *Sent:* Sunday, April 19, 2009 5:55 PM
> *To:* MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
> *Subject:* [MouthpieceWork] trigger finger
>
>
>   Hi Folks.
>
> I seem to have developed a trigger finger, and this is having an impact on
> my playing of the violin and flute (left index finger). Hasn't bothered my
> clarinet playing yet, but I'm thinking it might.
>
> Has anyone dealt with this issue before?
>
>
>
>
>
>  
>

Fred and John, thanks for the replies.

I think the root of my problem was the same as yours, John,  pressing too hard while learning, and the doggone thing was leaking all along. 

I think I'd like to try the eucalyptus oil first, can you give me some specific info? 

thanks

Dana

--- On Sun, 4/19/09, John Delia <bzalto@...> wrote:
From: John Delia <bzalto@gmail.com>
Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] trigger finger
To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com
Date: Sunday, April 19, 2009, 7:50 PM











    
            
            


      
      I'd avoid the steroid injection and rest as much as possible first.  if you are a pro and have to play, you may not have a choice, but if you don't absolutely have to play, take the time to rest.  Make sure your instrument is sealing properly, because in my case, I am sure my trigger thumb resulted from pressing too hard on keys that were not seating properly.  Steroids did not help me, but eucalyptus oil and rest did.  I have had no further problems and I am very conscientious about avoiding muscle tension while playing. Good luck. John


On Sun, Apr 19, 2009 at 9:47 PM, Fred Bauer <frbauer@msn. com> wrote:


















    
            
            


      
      Have you gotten a steroid injection yet? The injections combined with rest do work - you just don't want to get too many of them.   HTH, FredB 
   ----- Original Message ----- From: Dana 
Sent: Sunday, April 19, 2009 5:55 PM To: MouthpieceWork@ yahoogroups. com 
Subject: [MouthpieceWork] trigger finger        Hi Folks.

I seem to have developed a trigger finger, and this is having an impact on my playing of the violin and flute (left index finger). Hasn't bothered my clarinet playing yet, but I'm thinking it might.


Has anyone dealt with this issue before?