The mouthpiece is the upper part of the clarinet, where the player first blows into the instrument, and it plays a major role in the formation of sound and tuning. There is still much to explore in the realm of historical clarinet mouthpieces, particularly in the relation between performance practice and mouthpiece geometry. Utilizing analytical methods and 3D technology presents exciting opportunities for gaining new insights into how the physical reality of the mouthpieces influences their sound possibilities and how it relates with performance practice.
To investigate the relationship between the shape of the mouthpieces and performance practice, I studied and measured historical mouthpieces from various clarinet collections. I also used these measurements to create 3D-printed replicas of the mouthpieces, which provided examples to experiment with and learn more about these mouthpieces. My research focuses on the first half of the 19th century, a period of special intensity for the clarinet history due to the big development that it underwent in those years. One of the big changes was the shift from most people playing with the reed facing up in the beginning of the period, to most people playing with the reed facing down by the middle of the 19th century. I will pay close attention to this matter.
This research presents two big parts: Mouthpieces Analysis and 3D Re-creation. In the first one, I will explore how the shape of mouthpieces is related to the reed position issue and music national styles. In the second one, I will investigate the use of 3D printing technology to create functional historical mouthpieces and to gain a better understanding of their design.
This research aims to answer important questions for historical clarinet players. For example, does the physical evidence in existing mouthpieces from 1800-1850 reflect the changes in reed positioning? Do the physical characteristics of mouthpieces reflect national styles in the period 1800-1850? How can 3D printing technology help us better understand historical clarinet mouthpieces? How can this research help clarinet players choose historical mouthpieces that are best suited to their needs?
By delving into the material reality of mouthpieces and combining analytical and creative approaches, my research offers valuable insights into historical clarinet performance and helps to bridge the gap between the past and the present.