Klarinet Archive - Posting 000246.txt from 2001/04

From: "Randy S. Miller" <rsmiller@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] beginning student
Date: Thu, 12 Apr 2001 15:34:44 -0400

!I haven't posted on the list before. I am a new general music and band
!teacher in an elementary school. I agree that the mouthpieces that comewith
!the beginner and rental clarinets are so incredibly varied that I can't be
!sure what reeds strengths are best. Next school year, I am thinking of
!asking all the parents to buy the same basic mouthpiece. Does anyone have
!any experience with "requiring" a mouthpiece?

First, you might want to talk to the music service supplying the instruments
to replace the mouthpiece that comes with the horn with a different
mouthpiece. That might raise the price of the instrument, but most parents,
unless they are reed players themselves, will not be aware of the
substitution. Second, you might (if you have the time, the patience, and
the expertise) adjust the reed for each individual student. If you're not a
reed player, don't attempt it. If your students are studying privately, let
their private instructor deal with adjusting reeds.

As a rule, adjusting reeds is the bane of any reed player's experience.
That little sliver of wood can make or break a session, since the reed's
characteristics change with the weather.

Randy

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