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View Full Version : Facing Curve and rollover baffle tweaking



AustinBrister
02-05-2007, 09:05 PM
Hello everyone, thank you in advance for your replies.

Here is my recent delimna: Mojobari had a short wait time (but I needed it done really soon as I had no other mouthpieces) so I had a local clarinet refacer do some work for me. He is VERY VERY good, but wasn't sure about a facing schedule for a tenor piece as he deals with clarinets.

I had him put a 50 length 118 facing (perfect radial curve using Mojobari Keith Bradbury's facing spreadsheet). The piece is a Phil Barone NY 8 (110, now 118) Brass piece.

My piece now plays pretty good, much more even sound across the horn.

Here's my problem: It has a very reedy and abrassive harshness to it. anything above the G with octave is quite bright. I really like the great response this long rollover baffle gives me down in the range without octave, but up high, again it is quite abrasive. I have noticed that in order to get control of this sound down below middle Bb, I must take in a much smaller portion of mouthpiece, but this range is quite an airy sound as well. Up high, there is nothing I can do. Someone told me to try to take in more mouthpiece (obvious) but that really makes things worse. I feel like the only thing I can do to try and compensate for all of this is to really restrict the reed quite a bit with a fat mooshy lip, which is something I really don't wish to do so much in order to let the reed vibrate more freely.

So here's my question: since this is a quite long roll over baffle, which areas need to be subracted from to keep this great response and flexibility, yet get rid of both the abbrasivness/brattyness of this peice, and get rid of those harsh upper overtones in the upper octaves?

AustinBrister
02-05-2007, 09:10 PM
Later tonight (around 6:30 Mountain time) I could post some clips if you would like.

Enviroguy
02-05-2007, 09:12 PM
Hey Austin:

Why don't you just PM to Phil. He's usually here on line. After he strokes out over someone experimenting on his mouthpiece, he will probably tell you what you need to know. He seems to be a really good guy.

AustinBrister
02-05-2007, 09:19 PM
Yeah, I just feel bad asking him after I altered his piece. He really has been a huge help to me already and I have already exchanged several e-mails with him and he is indeed a VERY helpful and nice guy.

AustinBrister
02-05-2007, 11:08 PM
A lot of views, anyone have an idea at all? Thanks for reading!

mwhaa
02-05-2007, 11:11 PM
I think that taking a little of the baffle away right behind the tip rail will fatten everything up for you.

-mwhaa

AustinBrister
02-05-2007, 11:27 PM
awesome, thanks! Anyone else?

Here are some sound clips: These still don't really capture the frequencies I am talking about... But perhaps you will understand what I mean. Thanks!

1. - Me just playing normal trying not to think about the mouthpiece. I think I reached all the ends of the horns in a normal solo dynamic.
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/2/5/738617/Sax%20on%20the%20web%201.wma
2. - Scales, first loud, then soft, then subtoned
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/2/5/738617/Sax%20on%20the%20web%202.wma
3. - This is me ASSENTUATING the harshness that I am talking about.
http://www.fileden.com/files/2007/2/5/738617/Sax%20on%20the%20web%203.wma

sanchophone
02-06-2007, 01:12 PM
Which reeds/ reed strenght did you use for the recordings? I also have a Barone NY. I would try Javas, I find them bright but without the harshness.

You sound very well in the first clip. You could also try to forget about the issue.

whaler
02-06-2007, 01:21 PM
I don't hear any problem with your sound. It might be more of a "comfort" thing. Maybe you should try a hard rubber mouthpiece just to see if you prefer it. Another idea might be "smaller tip opening, harder reed".

AustinBrister
02-06-2007, 01:32 PM
Thanks! It's just one of those things where I am just really stressing out and freaking out here becuase I don't even like to practice becuase I feel like I am doing so with something other than MY voice.... strange. Anyway, thanks for the comments so far.

I think I am going to shape the baffle a little more like a florida link, by basically shortening the rollover baffle a bit.

Nefertiti
02-06-2007, 01:52 PM
I only listened to the first clip but I didn't hear any harshness in the sound, Sounded fine to me. I wouldn't worry about it. Just work with what you have.

Nefertiti
02-06-2007, 01:55 PM
I listened to the third one. I think anything you perceive as harsh you can adjust with changing your embouchure, oral cavity or breath. It doesn't sound overly harsh or bright to me.

MojoBari
02-06-2007, 04:10 PM
I agree that lowering the baffle might help. Here is another thought:

What is the largest feeler gauge your refacer was using? Clarinet refacers (and some sax refacers) have a set of feeler gauges that usually only goes up to .050". This means the portion of the facing curve between .050" and .118" is done freehanded and by eye. If the curve is too flat, you can get an edgy tone to it that is tough to dial out with embouchure.

wersax
02-13-2007, 03:35 AM
And you can do a whole lot to change the tone on your own, with your embouchure and airstream. Why don't you just practice with it for a couple of weeks before you modify it again?