Klarinet Archive - Posting 000342.txt from 2003/01

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <patricia@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] shopping for first mouthpiece
Date: Sun, 19 Jan 2003 10:54:19 -0500

Kelly Abraham wrote:
> Paul,
>

...I think you might be doing yourself a disservice
> to buy a more expensive (and more specialized) mouthpiece that
> you wouldn't be able to appreciate at this point, and most
> probably will be a bad fit, since there are so many vastly
> different choices in the professional mouthpieces to choose
> from, even within one manufacturer or maker. The point of a
> really good student mouthpiece is to make playing EASIER, while
> making a good sound, and the Debut is remarkable in this way.
> Clark Fobes (and other companies as well) professional models
> (Nova and San Francisco models) are more specific for particular
> playing aspects, and you shouldn't have to try to make a
> decision on what facings and bores at this point in your
> playing.

> I don't think you can go wrong with either the Fobes Debut or
> the Hite Premiere, but I *DO* think the possibilities for error
> in this early stage for you would be great with a more expensive
> mouthpiece that is too specific in it's function for beginners.
> I would play on the beginner mouthpiece for at least a year
> before attempting to find a specific mouthpiece type for you.
> You have to develop a relatively good embouchure before choosing
> a professional mouthpiece.
>
> By the way, with a mouthpiece pad on the top for your teeth, you
> will never miss the hard rubber, as opposed to the
> plastic/resin.

Well said, Kelly. I agree with you 100%. The idea behind professional
mouthpieces is the specificity in function, and to gain a more specific
quality in the sound. This almost ALWAYS means quite an adjustment the
first time you go about it, switching from a beginner mouthpiece to,
say, a more intermediate model, then eventually to a professional model
mouthpiece.

For a beginner to start on such a mouthpiece, is simply doing WAAAAAY
too much. When you start out on this instrument, the idea is simply to
produce the best sound you possibly can, at the same time utilizing
proper air support. Too many people want to bypass the beginning and
intermediate stages and be "automatic" pros. That isn't the way it
works. One must begin at the beginning.

I too, suggest the Debut, or the Premiere. Both are reasonably priced,
and, for players who don't plan to go further than hobby playing or high
school, the price is definitely right, and there are few if any
intonation issues, something that a lot of high school band and
orchestra directors will tell us are the big problems with clarinet
sections from the get-go. I think these mouthpieces are also excellent
for the adult hobby/amateur player- one does have to decide just how
much money one reasonably wants to spend on something one is doing just
for fun. I can't see spending $300-400 US on a pro mouthpiece, when
under $100 will get you what you need.

Patricia A. Smith

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