Klarinet Archive - Posting 000472.txt from 2003/12

From: "Dee D. Flint" <deehays@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Beginners Problems..
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 2003 11:04:35 -0500

----- Original Message -----
From: "Gordon Ross" <clarinet@-----.me.uk>
To: <klarinet@-----.org>
Sent: Wednesday, December 24, 2003 9:49 AM
Subject: Re: [kl] Beginners Problems..

> At 13:12 24/12/2003, you wrote:
> > > The first problem that I'm having, is "undesirable harmonics" (i.e.
> > > sounding like someone is trying to strangle the cat !) It usually only
> > > happens on A & open G, but does sometimes happen on other notes as
well
> > > like B Flat. I have tried changing my embrouche around, tried various
> >reeds
> > > as well, but about 50% of the time an A or G will sound awfull..
> > >
> > > The second problem I'm having, is getting the A and open G in tune. My
> > > teacher says "Squeeze harder on the reed", but if I squeeze any
harder, I
> > > can't get any air through the instrument, and my bottom lip and jaw
ache
> > > after a minute or two.
> > >
> > > As I mentioned above, I've tried various reeds, but the most
"succesfull"
> > > reed at the moment is a Vandoran 2.
> > >
> > > Thanks,
> > >
> > > G
> > >
> > >
> >
> >I've never heard of the brand you mention in one of your other posts. So
> >have your teacher try out your instrument. Some instruments are not well
> >designed or made.
> >
> >What mouthpiece are you using? Some of those also are badly designed or
> >made and lead to problems.
>
> The mouthpiece is the one that came with the instrument. Before I bought
> it, my teacher tried it and said it was OK.
>
> Thanks,
>
> G

It probably still isn't all that good a mouthpiece though. It may be OK but
there are a lot better ones out there for a very modest price. The Hite
Premier, Fobes Debut, and the Yamaha student mouthpiece are almost certainly
vastly better than what came with your instrument and all run under $30.
Unless of course yours came with one of these mouthpieces, which is unlikely
but possible. Also very nice are the Vandoren B45 and 5RV but these run
around $50.

Remember your teacher is an experienced player and can easily deal with a
mouthpiece that could cause a beginner all kinds of problems. She may not
even notice the deficiencies.

The quality of the mouthpiece is more important than the quality of the
clarinet.

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