Klarinet Archive - Posting 000513.txt from 1999/11

From: "Dee D. Hays" <deehays@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] subject: [kl] Plastic Horns
Date: Sat, 13 Nov 1999 18:47:11 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: <Limpbizkit29131@-----.com>
Subject: Re: [kl] subject: [kl] Plastic Horns

> In a message dated 11/13/99 1:44:35 PM Pacific Standard Time,
> deehays@-----.com writes:
>
> << You can go a long way on that Bundy with the proper care and
> mouthpiece/reed
> setup.
> >>
> What kind of mouthpiece should I use? I use Vandoren reeds
>

What mouthpiece are you using now? Selmer makes some pro grade mouthpieces
that would be appropriate and are far better than their student ones. Some
nice inexpensive mouthpieces with good reputations are the Hite Premier and
Fobes Debut. Some people like the Vandoren mouthpieces. They are higher in
price. Their B45 is very popular mouthpiece for people to upgrade to.

It is kind of a case of trying some out and see what works for you. There
are a lot of differences in mouthpieces. They have different amounts of
curvature. The inside chamber may be large or small. These and other
things affect how a mouthpiece will play and sound. I would recommend
getting a clarinet instructor or experienced clarinettist to advise you and
help you pick something out. Some mouthpieces are better for jazz, some for
classical, some are good for people with asthma (i.e. have very low blowing
resistance for example).

I haven't played the standard Bundy Bb clarinet but I did pick up a Bundy Eb
at a local pawnshop. With the mouthpiece that came with it, there was no
way I could play it in tune. It was extremely sharp for me. However when I
replaced the mouthpiece with a Vandoren 5RV it played great and I have been
playing it in our community band. I must be doing something right. My
fellow clarinettists have told me they never new an Eb could sound that
nice. I use Vandoren 3.5 reeds on this mouthpiece.

If you are not taking private lessons, I would recommend them. It will
really help you learn to develop your embouchure and breath support and help
you to learn to control of these two essential activities. These two are
far more important than the clarinet and somewhat more important than the
mouthpiece and reed.

Dee Hays
Canton, SD

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