Posted by: clariniano on: April 6, 2009
Poor-quality mouthpieces, usually mouthpieces that come with new instruments, create at least four difficulties for beginners: they are difficult to blow on, they have poor tone quality, they have problems with their tuning, and they contribute to unfocussed sound even when the student is playing with correct embouchure.
Poor-quality mouthpieces are often difficult to blow on, because there is too much air resistence. This is caused by a combination of a tip opening that has too much or too little curve, a reed table that is asymmetrical, a too-large or too-small bore size, and warpage at various locations on the mouthpiece. As a result, clarinetists have to compensate for the faults, leading to undesirable playing habits. Sometimes, poor mouthpieces are difficult or impossible to play beyond the chalumeau register.
Poor-quality mouthpieces also often have poor intonation. This contributes to problems of being significantly under or over the desired pitch level. This is largely due to the size of the chamber opening—the larger it is, the lower the pitch level, and the smaller it is, the higher the pitch level. Since the difference between large-bore and small-bore mouthpieces are only fractions of an inch, it is critical that the bore be precisely made, something which is not the case with poor-quality mouthpieces.
Poor-quality mouthpieces have poor tone quality. This is partly due to the material poor mouthpieces are made from, but factors of warpage and chamber size also contribute to the problem. Poor-quality mouthpieces contribute to problems with lack of focus in sound; they will often produce an additional hissing sound in addition to the normal sound.
A good mouthpiece need not be expensive. Beginners want to be able to make a good sound; why cause discouragement?
