Buffet Crampon's - International Clarinet Association

know, but the oldest ones are now 18
months old and still exhibit perfect
func tionality, even after daily use. Set -
ting the price is in many ways similar to
setting the price for prescription drugs.
Like the companies that develop medicines,
we have to cover the cost of re -
search and development, obtaining and
maintaining patents and for the construction
of production tools. Above
and beyond these substantial up-front
costs, we have to cover the cost of ma -
terial and production. I’m pleased to
report that all told, most people think
the price is fair.
Q: Is there any advice you would give to
players who read this article and decide
to purchase Claripatch?
A: Any player who decides to try Clar -
ipatch is stepping into a whole new
world of possibilities. However, during
the initial period, remember the elements
of sound production in a clarinet
are extremely complex. Although Clari -
patch will help you to overcome certain
sound production issues related to
reeds, please do not expect a miraculous
resolution to all your problems.
Re main pragmatic and do not expect
immediate perfection. One must allow
it to evolve as a result of working with
and understanding the patch system.
Start off by exploring the color changes
that are possible with different patches
and a good reed. Take full advantage of
this new source of artistic inspiration
before attacking the more difficult problems
of an unsatisfactory reed or experimenting
with prolonging the life of a
reed. Begin by using a small number of
patches and once you have mastered
their use, integrate the rest in, slowly
but surely.
* * * * *
A FEW ADDITIONAL POINTS
As I mentioned, I have tried Clari -
patch. In my opinion, the system has
merit in that it provides clarinetists of all
skill levels with a unique set of tools for
dealing with common reed problems.
Here are a few other points you might
want to bear in mind when deciding if
Claripatch is for you:
• Claripatch will not make imbalanced
reeds play well. Side to side imbalances,
whether slight or severe, need to be corrected
by other means.
• The patches are very thin and completely
tasteless and odorless. You cannot
“feel” the patches in your mouth. Blind -
folded, you would not be able to tell if
you are playing with Claripatch or not.
• The patches extend into the mouthpiece
window, which puzzles many players
because they assume this will block the
window and negatively affect the production
of sound. Fear not. The patches
do not block the window in actual play
and therefore do not negatively affect
the sound production in any way.
• The pinch-patch ring is unobtrusive and
remains in place. Even with no patches,
it’s a great device for helping you to
quickly get a reed into proper alignment
on the mouthpiece. One wonders why
mouthpiece makers have never thought
of this.
• The pro set of Claripatch comes in a
hard plastic case that also holds six reeds
and the clarimute.
March 2006 Page 27