I know there are sites that deal with this but I'd like to ask and get
directions, specifically if possible.
I have many pces as candidates for working on. I'm still a novice but
I'd like to get a pce that is open, free blowing and accentuates the
bottom end on an alto. I got from Keith B. that a longer facing curve
accentuates the bottom end and it seems that using Dukoff's Pwr Chamber
D type pce that this type of baffling/chamber as apposed to the roll
over just past the tip would be more conducive to the specs I'm looking
for. So taking a student quality mpce, with a lot of meat, what length
of facing, how much tip opening, how much cheek and chamber excavating
would be suitable for my needs? Maybe direction to a mpce on file with
photos would be adequate, along with some numbers relative to Fac.
lngth, tip opening, and maybe even the graphed curve.
I know it's asking a bunch but maybe there are mesges. from the past
that plot this procedure to get me on my way.
All the alto mp's I have are unplayable relatively speaking. I would try
and copy the specs from one that plays as qualified above, if I had one.

on 11/29/09 9:36 AM, maddahorn at maddahorn@... wrote:

> I know there are sites that deal with this but I'd like to ask and get
> directions, specifically if possible.
> I have many pces as candidates for working on. I'm still a novice but
> I'd like to get a pce that is open, free blowing and accentuates the
> bottom end on an alto. I got from Keith B. that a longer facing curve
> accentuates the bottom end and it seems that using Dukoff's Pwr Chamber
> D type pce that this type of baffling/chamber as apposed to the roll
> over just past the tip would be more conducive to the specs I'm looking
> for. So taking a student quality mpce, with a lot of meat, what length
> of facing, how much tip opening, how much cheek and chamber excavating
> would be suitable for my needs? Maybe direction to a mpce on file with
> photos would be adequate, along with some numbers relative to Fac.
> lngth, tip opening, and maybe even the graphed curve.
> I know it's asking a bunch but maybe there are mesges. from the past
> that plot this procedure to get me on my way.

> All the alto mp's I have are unplayable relatively speaking. I would try
> and copy the specs from one that plays as qualified above, if I had one.

If you don't have an alto piece you like, it's hard to figure out where
you're at. What have you been playing on? What reeds also?

What are the mp's you have? It sounds like they are no-name stock pieces.
What are their facings?  Often this type of piece has a very narrow facing,
as they are intended for beginners with weak embouchures.

You can practice opening them up a bit, and see how that goes. I should add
that the hardest thing to do is (IMO) creating a good facing curve that
works well. Tiny changes make big differences.

After that, the profile of the baffle just behind the tip rail is also very
influential on how the mouthpiece blows. Again, small changes make big
differences. When you open up a piece, the curvature of the baffle as it
goes to the tip rail is changed, and needs to be adjusted. That is also a
sensitive area, where small changes can make a big difference (and one can
get improvements up to a point, and then get diminishing returns!)

IIRC there are some alto facing schedules on the Yahoo mouthpiecework site -
although they may be buried in the postings.

Tastes vary - but if you're looking for more bottom end, my impression of
the Dukoff has been that they have they have a cutting sound due to the high
baffle. However, tastes vary, and sound is also a function of the reed one
plays.)

Barry

There are a couple of good alto facing spreadsheets in the files section.  But you need to be good at using MS Excel to get the most out of them.

If you have never found a mouthpiece that you like, I would suggest you find one first, then you can try to copy its features and measurements over to some of your blanks.

You do want to consider using long facings (44-48) and whatever tip opening feels comfortable to you.  A radial facing would be free-blowing.

You do not seem to have tried enough mouthpieces to know if large chamber or small chamber is what you like.  Baffles too.  You seem to be leaning towards a Dukoff D style, but you may prefer a Link style mouthpiece.  Or instead of either extreme, something in the middle...

--- In MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com, "maddahorn" <maddahorn@...> wrote:
>
> I know there are sites that deal with this but I'd like to ask and get
> directions, specifically if possible.
> I have many pces as candidates for working on. I'm still a novice but
> I'd like to get a pce that is open, free blowing and accentuates the
> bottom end on an alto. ...

Thanks all, good info. I'll check out the recommended sites. The mp's I have are a variety of HR and plastic, some good, some not. I buy, repair, and sell horns, they came in the case. I play tenor using a VAndoren S HR and an Silver STM LInk, both refaced by Keith B., Great pces. I am going to use the proportions and baffle etc from these, scaled down as a start. See what happens.
I'm not really tied to getting the bottom end I'm more on a mission to get one that plays as freely
as my tenor pces. With this in mind I might get all of what I need.
Thanks again guys.



  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Barry Levine 
  To: MouthpieceWork@yahoogroups.com 
  Sent: Sunday, November 29, 2009 10:01 AM
  Subject: Re: [MouthpieceWork] Alto Mpce Profile


    
  on 11/29/09 9:36 AM, maddahorn at maddahorn@... wrote:

  > I know there are sites that deal with this but I'd like to ask and get
  > directions, specifically if possible.
  > I have many pces as candidates for working on. I'm still a novice but
  > I'd like to get a pce that is open, free blowing and accentuates the
  > bottom end on an alto. I got from Keith B. that a longer facing curve
  > accentuates the bottom end and it seems that using Dukoff's Pwr Chamber
  > D type pce that this type of baffling/chamber as apposed to the roll
  > over just past the tip would be more conducive to the specs I'm looking
  > for. So taking a student quality mpce, with a lot of meat, what length
  > of facing, how much tip opening, how much cheek and chamber excavating
  > would be suitable for my needs? Maybe direction to a mpce on file with
  > photos would be adequate, along with some numbers relative to Fac.
  > lngth, tip opening, and maybe even the graphed curve.
  > I know it's asking a bunch but maybe there are mesges. from the past
  > that plot this procedure to get me on my way.

  > All the alto mp's I have are unplayable relatively speaking. I would try
  > and copy the specs from one that plays as qualified above, if I had one.

  If you don't have an alto piece you like, it's hard to figure out where
  you're at. What have you been playing on? What reeds also?

  What are the mp's you have? It sounds like they are no-name stock pieces.
  What are their facings? Often this type of piece has a very narrow facing,
  as they are intended for beginners with weak embouchures.

  You can practice opening them up a bit, and see how that goes. I should add
  that the hardest thing to do is (IMO) creating a good facing curve that
  works well. Tiny changes make big differences.

  After that, the profile of the baffle just behind the tip rail is also very
  influential on how the mouthpiece blows. Again, small changes make big
  differences. When you open up a piece, the curvature of the baffle as it
  goes to the tip rail is changed, and needs to be adjusted. That is also a
  sensitive area, where small changes can make a big difference (and one can
  get improvements up to a point, and then get diminishing returns!)

  IIRC there are some alto facing schedules on the Yahoo mouthpiecework site -
  although they may be buried in the postings.

  Tastes vary - but if you're looking for more bottom end, my impression of
  the Dukoff has been that they have they have a cutting sound due to the high
  baffle. However, tastes vary, and sound is also a function of the reed one
  plays.)

  Barry



  

Portallatro> Recently I discovered some of my problems getting a beefy 
low end are caused by a playing problem. Instead of remaining static, my 
tongue wants to move down for low notes. When I don't change my tongue 
position, low notes speak much better. A longer facing helps low notes 
to speak. I like the 4C. It is the best student MPC on the planet. A 
Beechler Tuffite is an interesting student MPC. The Tuffite has some 
vintage meyer characteristics. I'll be putting both up for sale on ebay 
in coming weeks.

> I know there are sites that deal with this but I'd like to ask and get
> directions, specifically if possible.
> I have many pces as candidates for working on. I'm still a novice but
> I'd like to get a pce that is open, free blowing and accentuates the
> bottom end on an alto. I got from Keith B. that a longer facing curve
> accentuates the bottom end and it seems that using Dukoff's Pwr Chamber
> D type pce that this type of baffling/chamber as apposed to the roll
> over just past the tip would be more conducive to the specs I'm looking
> for. So taking a student quality mpce, with a lot of meat, what length
> of facing, how much tip opening, how much cheek and chamber excavating
> would be suitable for my needs? Maybe direction to a mpce on file with
> photos would be adequate, along with some numbers relative to Fac.
> lngth, tip opening, and maybe even the graphed curve.
> I know it's asking a bunch but maybe there are mesges. from the past
> that plot this procedure to get me on my way.
> All the alto mp's I have are unplayable relatively speaking. I would try
> and copy the specs from one that plays as qualified above, if I had one.
>
>