Klarinet Archive - Posting 000462.txt from 2002/09

From: w9wright@-----.net (William Wright)
Subj: Re: [kl] Sturdy mouthpieces for angry beginners
Date: Sun, 22 Sep 2002 11:27:47 -0400

<><> Lelia Loban wrote:
Does any mouthpiece that's suitable for beginners have a reputation for
unusual sturdiness?

These ideas won't protect the mouthpiece completely, but perhaps they
can make damage less likely:

(1) cover as much of the mouthpiece's tip end as practical with the
thicker version of mouthpiece pads --- the black pads that look like
thin sheets of rubber. Perhaps allow a pad to extend just a bit (a
millimeter or two) beyond the tip.

(2) painting part of the mouthpiece (near the tenon, where lips don't
touch) with the child's favorite color of finger nail polish may be
effective as a reminder (sort of like tying a string around one's
finger) that interrupts the anger process at the moment of physical
violence? Some folks enjoy and put special store in brightly colored
clarinets.

Regards,
Bill

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