mouthpiece from the top (figure If the gauge is crooked (figure airplane wing (balancing of 2). The position at which the 4), then the reed is not sealing “C”), each wing needs to be ® gauge lightly comes to rest is well on the mouthpiece table identical for consistent air-flow MADE IN USA the spot on your mouthpiece and is warped. Your reed is and lift. When the reed is in Thank you for your purchase! where the mouthpiece curve also leaking at the beginning of balance with itself and the begins (figure 3). The marking the facing curve, hence, is mouthpiece facing curve, sound The ® Plaque and Gauge lines on the plaque are in one losing playing and vibrational resonates better and your set can be used to find millimeter increments. You efficiency. playing becomes very natural. mouthpiece facing curve lengths may take note of this facing To remedy, use your ® on most clarinet and saxophone curve length measurement or Tool to flatten the reed, as The ® Plaque may be mouthpieces, as well as mark the side of the transferring those facing needed. Figure 5 depicts a flat used as a traditional plaque to mouthpiece, lightly, with a reed that seals properly at the support a reed while you are measurements onto the reed. pencil or marker. mouthpiece facing. The making adjustments. Use the To find your mouthpiece’s Gauging reed flatness: horizontal line depicts the start top side, curved end marked facing curve length: Slip the gauge between the reed of the facing curve. This line is “tip work,” see picture. Avoid and the mouthpiece to ensure the spot where your reed needs nicking or working a reed on Place the ® Plaque there is an even/level seal with to seal on the mouthpiece table the underside / flat side, the side straight on the mouthpiece table, that lies flat against the with the top line even and Figure 2 mouthpiece table when parallel with the mouthpiece tip. Figure 4 measuring mouthpiece facing (See figure 1) For best stability curve. This must remain and accuracy of measurement, place the thumb of your dominant hand at approximately where the mouthpiece table and window (open area under the reed) begin and use firm pressure. Figure 3 Slip the ® Gauge and side rails. Balancing of the between the plaque and the reed is initially done on left and right hand sides of the spine (the shaded area shown on the Figure 1 reed), from letters “A” to completely flat and smooth in “B” (the facing line). Think of order to maintain accurate each side of the reed as an facing measurements with the gauge. Clean plaque with soap Figure 5 and water or non-alcohol based reed and mouthpiece. The cleaners. Do not clean with gauge should stop perpendicular alcohol. to the mouthpiece facing. In optimum position, you will have the gauge sitting at the start of All Rights Reserved your mouthpiece’s facing curve. ® 2018 www.ReedGeek.com