 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mgauger
Date: 2014-10-01 06:48
So my daughter has been playing for about a year 1/2 for her school and seems to be hooked. I had a hand-me-down clarinet, Leblanc Normandy 4, long story short, my deal was she could use it and if she didn't give it up in a year, I'd get her one and give this one back to the family member I borrowed it from. She made all the different honor bands at her school first year out and this year she is picking up the sax in there jazz band on top of the clarinet in band.
So I bought her a clarinet today, a step up I hope from what she was playing, anyway, it did NOT come with a mouth piece and she has only used the one that came with the Leblanc, which I'm betting was the orig. that came with the horn.
So I need advice on a good mouth piece or one that she can start out with, one that would be good for a beginner I'd say. We just don't know enough about them and I didn't realize the one I bought/ordered, did not come with one. Horn isn't here yet and I'd like to get one ordered/bought so she can start breaking it in.
Sorry for the stupid question and any advice would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks
Mike
Post Edited (2014-10-01 07:01)
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2014-10-01 08:17
Two that often recommended are the Fobes Debut and the Hite Premiere. You can get them for less than $30 online, Woodwinds and Brasswind for example.
Laurie (he/him)
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2014-10-01 09:36
Hi Mike,
It's by no means a stupid question, in fact I think it's good that you're making an intelligent choice to help your daughter along. It's often been said that there are no dumb questions, only dumb answers. The advice from Mr Braaten is very good, these are both excellent mouthpieces that punch a long way above their weight in terms of price versus performance. I've used and recommended both, and either will be a good choice. Good luck, and keep the questions coming.
Tony F.
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-10-01 09:47
It would be worth having a good look at what she's been playing on. Many old horns have upgraded mouthpieces that may have worn off lettering. At least you should consider keeping the new one reasonably compatible with the old one, otherwise her first playing experience on new horn might be some trouble. In fact, no reason not to have the old mouthpiece around a while to swap just to know. And of course the advice of a good local instructor who knows your daughter would override most anything any of us would tell you here.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
Post Edited (2014-10-01 10:01)
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Author: ErezK
Date: 2014-10-01 11:03
What does her teacher say? maybe he or she has a few mouthpieces for her to try or would be willing to go with both of you to a local store so she can try one out?
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Author: mgauger
Date: 2014-10-01 16:17
Hey ALL,,,thanks so much for the reply's,,,I do REALLY appreciate it!!
I will take a look at her old mouth piece, I should have done that to begin with. I've been trying to read up on them,,,more I read, the more I get confussed, but not knowing all the lingo is for sure a big hindrance!!
We just started her lessons last week from a private instructor, her band teacher said it was time, that she has taken her as far as she can, so that is what we did. I didn't know if it was better to keep the mouth piece the same brand as the clarinet or not!
I will give those mouth pieces mentioned a look for sure, and maybe pick one up, but I do like the idea of keeping her current mouth piece for awhile anyway.
Thanks again for the help, can't wait for her to get the new horn, she is so excited!!
Thanks
Mike
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-10-01 18:12
Confusion is part of the mouthpiece game, it's a combination of precise science, artistic genius (or lack thereof), voodoo, and snake oil.
Only a small fraction of the mouthpieces supplied with and carrying the same name as a clarinet are worth keeping. That's especially true for new instruments. Ridenour is an exception- he makes well respected clarinets and mouthpieces. Most of us play mouthpieces from mfg who do not even make clarinets... like Vandoren.
Best of luck to you and your daughter- she is lucky to have a Dad taking such good care of her and her music.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: kdk
Date: 2014-10-01 18:33
With all of the mouthpiece discussion in direct response to your question, you haven't described the clarinet you got her. Was it bought new from a dealer or used from an auction website or some other source? You say you hope it's an upgrade. I'm curious as to what it is. It needs to be in very good working condition for any mouthpiece to work well.
I like the idea, too, of having her use the same mouthpiece for at least a couple of weeks or a month so she's only making one change at a time. Sometimes if a new setup doesn't play as easily as an old one and everything - instrument, mouthpiece and reeds - has changed all at once, it's hard to know which one or what combination is causing problems. Or whether the new equipment is just different and needs getting used to.
Her clarinet teacher should be able to help with all of this.
Karl
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Author: mgauger
Date: 2014-10-01 18:51
My bad,,,,,the clarinet she is using now is a Leblanc Normandy 4, mouthpiece unknown, will look tonight.
I went to the couple music stores here, and she got to try a Yamaha and a Buffet, not a R13, can't remember the model. The Yamaha was a ycl-450N.
I got this one online, it's a Backun Protege in Cocobolo, it said it was used for one weekend as a display, horn was in Canada. I checked the ebay seller and got pretty good feed back from them, guess we will see. Also found a couple utube vids talking about that seller.
Anyway, didn't realize there wasn't a mouthpiece with it. Hope it will be a step up for her and I didn't make a big mistake.
Thanks again.
Mike
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Author: pewd
Date: 2014-10-01 20:03
> mouth piece the same brand as the clarinet or not
No correlation, in most cases. 'brand' name mouthpieces that match the clarinet, e.g., say a buffet mouthpiece on a E12F or R13, or a Yamaha 4C with a Yamaha clarinet, are in most cases very poor choices. I would also look at Vandoren 5Rv-lyres and M13's in addition to those mentioned above, but: you really should consult her private teacher for equipment recommendations. Don't just buy stuff, talk to the private teacher first. Many times I pull out a bag of mouthpieces and pick the one that works best for that particular student.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: mgauger
Date: 2014-10-01 20:11
This is true,,,,think I will wait until the horn gets here,,,let he take it to her next lesson with mouthpiece she is using now, and ask her teacher for some suggestions.
As far as the Backun Protege? Step up, step sideways? Did I make a mistake going with the Cocobolo? I got a very good price on it I thought, was only a little more then a used ycl-650 I was looking at, and this one was new and the yamaha was used.
Thanks for the help.
Mike
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-10-01 22:10
Ditto on the Fobes Debut ... also try the Vandoren M13 I switched to an M13 for use in a professional ensemble and it is responsive, warm, compact and easy to control with an adequate "hold" or resistance. You can use a 3-3.25 Legere (classic cut) or a V12 3.5 or stronger.
Not played this Backun model, but should be good. I've heard they blow similar to some of the Yamaha instruments ... which is not a bad thing, IMHO.
We are so lucky to have such great products nowadays to choose from!! I hardly know what to try and/or purchase next! I wish I could own them all ...
Tom
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Author: phlukefenny
Date: 2014-10-01 23:31
Hi Mike,
I am one of those people that is still learning but am working on becoming a professional, so what i say is from what i have learned...
I myself am buying a Backun Protege in cocobolo. What i have read about it is that it is a great quality clarinet (especially in the price range) and it comes close to most high end professional products out there. The cocobolo model is said to have that more warm rich tone vs the grenadilla which has a more bright and open tone. From people that i have talked to, cocobolo sounds more rich/warm to the clarinetist but when it comes to the audience it may be sometimes brighter than the grenadilla, but that is user/audience preference. Lastly when it comes to the protege (again, from what i have learned) is that the least wanted thing about the clarinet is the barrel; the barrel seems to be stuffy when trying to play through it, or you could say a little bit tough to blow through and that the sound is not as rich as what you may intend to have. It may be wise to buy a second barrel (like the backun fatboy barrel) and use that for more "rich" play styles.
I would like to leave a small note... the best thing to know about any horn instrument is that the sound always starts at the mouth. To put it in better words starting with the mouthpiece and working your way down is normally the best way to go (in my preference). The mouthpiece and barrel, i would think, are the parts you would want to look into most.
NOW... the mouthpiece...
I would not buy any mouthpiece unless you know you can either return it and try a different one, or you try it out before you buy it. EVERY mouthpiece is different and there is no BEST mouthpiece for everyone. If you were to look at mouthpieces online (lets use Backun as exp.) you would see that they have like 8 different sizes in just the Moba mouthpiece (don't quote me lol), that is because each size fits a different play style or different mouth. I use the Vandoren b45 mouthpiece, very popular mouthpiece, BUT that does not make it the "best". I have played on it for most of my career but i also would like a different one so i would look at ones that are in like terms to it since i am used to playing on it. What i would do is find one that she likes now and then STICK WITH IT for changing a mouthpiece may mean that you have to change your embaucher which takes time to change and get used to. You do not have to do that, but i would recommend, from what i know, that you stay close to what she is used to.
lastly, talking to dealers or the people who make the mouthpiece/clarinet may help you ans some questions you may have. They are always nice to talk to and they sure know what they are talking about
thanks for reading my essay lol
lucas fenwick
note... my image on my profile is my senior pic from highschool
Post Edited (2014-10-01 23:52)
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