Klarinet Archive - Posting 000474.txt from 2002/09
From: CBA <clarinet10001@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] question to professional clarinettists on how often they change mouthpieces
Date: Mon, 23 Sep 2002 00:24:50 -0400
David,
I think you should read my post again. I never said *us*
professionals, nor did I say *all* professionals.
I *DID* say *FOR ME* at one point to show that it was in
relation specifically to me only, and then said *I THINK MOST
PROFESSIONALS CHANGE OFTEN* because most of the professionals I
know (and I do know over 50 professional clarinettists) do
change every few years, and that information is what I was using
to formulate the *I THINK* statement with.
Which leads me to the reason for my original post.
I did then, in turn, ASK for how often people on the list change
their mouthpieces TO FIND OUT how many professionals on the list
do change mouthpieces as their mouths change on a regular basis
and how many do not. I did not, in any way, inclusively say that
*all* professionals change mouthpieces (nor does the word *we*
that you mentioned being in my post exist, as far as I can see
in rereading my original post for myself.)
Again, please reread my post...
and thank you for adding the input I was asking for in my post,
albeit with an intro that was unfounded in it's reasoning. I
think I can glean from your post that over 20 years, you have
used 5 mouthpieces (3 Borbeck mouthpieces between the TFA and
Antares II models) and at least one of each of the 2 Greg Smith
mouthpieces you have tried (models 1* and 1+), which would be at
least 5, and could be more, depending on how many of each you
had, as all mouthpieces play differently. That is exactly the
information I asked for.
Again...for the professional clarinettists on the list, I would
like to know how often you change mouthpieces. I am trying to
get an idea for my teaching purposes, as some of my students
always want to get a new mouthpiece in spite of the fact that
their mouthpiece works for them, and some never want to change,
even if they don't get the best sound with the one they have.
I am NOT interested in how often someone experiments, but I *AM*
interested in how often you actually CHANGE mouthpieces for a
long term period (I would say a good rule of thumb to say you
changed to a mouthpiece would be playing it predominantly for
more than a month or so...more like 6 months or more.)
Thanks in advance...
Kelly Abraham
Woodwinds - New York City
--- "David S. Naden" <dnaden@-----.edu> wrote:
> Kelly--
>
> I have to take issue with your statement that "us"
> professionals change
> mouthpieces often. You may, but I think you are the exception
> and not the
> norm.
>
> I played Borbeck mouthpieces exclusively from approximately
> 1982 through
> approximately 1994. Specifically the TFA model through
> 1982/83 followed by
> the Antares II. The only time I changed was if I got a new
> copy of the
> mouthpiece.
>
> From 1994/95 on, I continue to play exclusively on Greg Smith
> mouthpieces.
> I have both the 1* and the 1+ models (I think that is the
> system he uses),
> and while I do prefer one over the other, they are both very
> close in
> dimensions, and sound produced. With the exception of having
> to replace
> them when my clarinets were stolen, I have not changed
> mouthpieces.
>
> That does not mean to say that most of us--including
> myself--don't
> experiment, and obtain other makes/models of mouthpieces for
> comparison.
>
> David S. Naden, MMus
> Cal State University Los Angeles
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: CBA [mailto:clarinet10001@-----.com]
> Sent: Saturday, September 21, 2002 1:42 AM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] Question about Woodwind Company mouthpieces
>
>
> I have a Larry Combs model I played on in college. I did very
> well with it, and it is very well made, although I do not use
> it
> anymore.
>
> I also have a Marcellus mouthpiece which I played on in
> college...same situation - quality mouthpiece that I no longer
> use, as I am looking for different things from a mouthpiece
> than
> when those mouthpieces worked well for me.
>
> Mouthpieces are very personal, even for the same person a year
> or two later. I rarely play on a mouthpiece more than a few
> years, as the muscles in my mouth change, and my teeth move to
> an extent, causing one good mouthpiece to become a bad one
> *for
> me*, because the oral cavity of my mouth changes over time.
>
> ALL of us have an everlasting changing mouth, so I am always
> amazed at people who can play the same mouthpiece 5 years down
> the road. I think most professionals change often, as in 2
> years
> or less, so more than others.
>
> Any comments from professionals on the list about how often
> you
> change your mouthpieces?
>
> Kelly Abraham
> Woodwinds - New York City
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