Klarinet Archive - Posting 000458.txt from 2002/09

From: LeliaLoban@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Sturdy mouthpieces for angry beginners
Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 07:02:58 -0400

Does any mouthpiece that's suitable for beginners have a reputation for
unusual sturdiness? A friend whose son is a talented beginner on clarinet
(but going through a period of extreme stress in his life otherwise) asked me
this question, because when the kid gets frustrated, he throws things. He
broke his first mouthpiece that way. No big loss (Bundy that came with the
new clarinet), but his folks can't put replacement mouthpieces in the regular
budget....

The child's anger has nothing to do with music per se, apparently. He's
taking out frustration and fear on an inanimate object. When he plays wrong
notes, he calls the clarinet "the snake" and yells at it, the way kids
sometimes yell at their dolls.

She'd like for him to stick with music, if possible, because it's the only
constructive, creative outlet he's really loved. Right now, the quality of
the mouthpiece is not a big issue. She just wants something tough. He's
getting counselling for the anger management issue and the reasons for the
problem, but in the meantime, can his mom buy a mouthpiece for under $50 that
will stand a chance of surviving if a strong, furious 9-year-old boy throws
it against the wall?

Lelia

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