Klarinet Archive - Posting 000530.txt from 1997/06

From: deerich@-----.net
Subj: Re: Mouthpieces
Date: Tue, 24 Jun 1997 19:46:32 -0400

Rob Teitelbaum wrote:
> .......
> Just to make this clarinet-related, I suppose I'll add to my $.02 to the
> current thread on mouthpieces. I think I've said this before, but I
> consider the mouthpiece/reed/lig. setup to be the most critical part of
> the clarinet, and though I love my R-13s, I would give them up in a
> second if I had a choice between a good mouthpiece or good clarinets. At
> the same time, the mouthpiece setup is a highly individual thing, so
> starting beginners off on a good mouthpiece before their embouchure is
> fully developed may not be a good idea.

There have been several replies on getting good mouthpieces for
beginning students. As one writer commented, students CAN be taught to
take proper care of them. In addition, there are intermediate
mouthpieces that are not so pricey as the B45's, etc but are better than
those that normally come with student clarinets. I don't think they can
hope to properly develop their embouchure on a bad mouthpiece as they
will be subconsciously compensating for its flaws. Then when they do
get a good one, they will have to rebuild their embouchure.

I do agree that the mouthpiece/reed/lig. setup is critical. I've made
some beautiful sounds on my old marching clarinet (a real dog though it
is wood) using my good mouthpiece and reed.

Thanks for your input Rob.

Dee Hays
deerich@-----.net