Walter Grabner 991 Wildwood Lane Highland Park, IL 60035 847.266.8644

Mouthpiece Main Page ClarinetXpress Home Page

Clarinet Mouthpiece Facings Explained

 What is the “facing”?

· The curve of the window of the mouthpiece, in which the reed vibrates

· Allows control and dampening of the reed by the embouchure

· Expressed as a series of numbers

· Numbers describe the resistance curve and tip opening

Importance of the facing

· Dictates how the reed will vibrate

· Dictates strength of reed required

· Dictates position of the lower lip

· Influences tone

· Influences attack

· Influences speed of articulation

How is it measured?

· System developed by Eric Brand Company

· Used universally

· Measures points of “distance” of reed from mouthpiece

· Tip and four “points” on smaller mouthpieces

· Tip and five “points” on larger mouthpieces

· Basically plots a curve which you can graph

Tools required

· Feeler gauges

▪ .0015”

▪ .010”

▪ .024”

▪ .034”

▪ .050” – used on Alto, bass clarinet, and contra alto clarinet mouthpieces, etc.

· Glass gauge ▪ Measures in ½ millimeters ▪ Shows measurements where feeler gauges stop · Tip gauge ▪ Tapered wand or Plunger ▪ Measures in mm ▪ Measures “tip opening” ▪ No two gauges the same ▪ Some confusion about what is being measured (AT right – measuring the tip OPENING, using the glass gauge and the tip wand. Measurements are in Millimeters) · Properties of a good facing ▪ What “the numbers” mean. ▫ A = where .0015” gauge stops (in half mm from tip of mthp) ▫ B = where .010” gauge stops ▫ C = where .024” gauge stops ▫ D = where .034” gauge stops ▫ E = where .050” gauge stops (alto, bass, contra mouthpieces only)

Example: Bass clarinet mouthpiece facing: 1.74 (tip opening in millimeters) 48 – A 34 – B 24 – C 18 – D 10 – E (larger mouthpieces only) In the diagram to the left, F = where the lower lip makes contact. Diagram from the Eric Brand Manual

▪ Almost always a smooth curve

▪ Can be symmetrical or asymmetrical.

▪ Must be accurate or can cause MANY problems

▪ Closer vs. more open TIP

▫ Closer - reed requires harder tip

▫ More open - reed requires softer tip

▪ Longer vs. shorter FACING LENGTH

▫ Longer - harder reed

▫ Shorter - softer reed

▪ Combinations

▫ Close/long (most “symphonic”)

▫ Open/long

▫ Close/short

▫ Open/short (Jazz mouthpiece)

· Facings are widely misunderstood

· A person can play on a wide variety of facings

· Symmetrical vs. asymmetrical debate

▪ Reed requirements

▪ Effect on tone

Examples of typical facings

1.04 30 20 10 4 “Chedeville”

1.05 38 24 11 4 Selmer C*

1.03 30 20 10 4 Grabner K11

1.07 30 20 10 4 Grabner K14

1.74 48 34 24 18 10 “Pro bass clarinet”

Other Exterior Features of the Mouthpiece

· Window Length – Generally 30 to 34 mm – same as reed “vamp length” – why?

· Window Width - critical

▪ At base – approx. not so important

▪ At Tip – totally critical, affects tone and response drastically

▫ 11.8 to

▫ 12.0

· Tip Rail

▪ Critical for security of tone production

▪ Affects tone quality

▪ Integrity of surface critical – must be flat

▪ Wide – darker/slower

▪ Narrow – brighter/faster

▪ Too narrow - SQUEAK

▪ Polishing VERY important

· Side Rails

▪ Integrity of surface critical – must be flat

▪ Thickness not as important IF window is wide enough

▪ Too thin can cause instability (squeaking)

▪ Polishing VERY important

· Table

▪ Establishes the flat plane for the reed

▪ Critical to the integrity of the facing

▪ Can cause problems if warped or “humped”

▪ Can warp with use

▪ Flat vs. Concave – a debate

Please click on the links above for information about my products and services. To contact me, click here.

Copyright Walter Grabner 2004