The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Mike Clarinet
Date: 2007-06-05 12:41
A question for teachers who teach absolute beginners.
A brand new student arrives with a respectable instrument in playing condition. Other than that, they have no knowledge of clarinet playing, breath support, reeds, embouchure... How do you go about advising them what mouthpiece and reed combination to use? These are personal things, and as we all know, what works for one person will not work for someone else.
Just curious.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2007-06-05 13:02
The Fobes Debut with a Legere #2.75 reed works around here... predictable tone, and durable construction.
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-06-05 13:04
Fobes Debut, Hite premiere, with Vandoren 2.5 (or a 2 if they have wind issues).
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2007-06-05 14:36
(Disclaimer I sell the Gennusa GE*S and it comes with the Forte' Bb clarinet and I receive no kickbacks or other compensation from Gennusa other than bulk purchase pricing)
We did some extensive testing with the Hite Premier, Fobes Debut, and Gennusa GE*S mouthpieces with middle school beginning players prior to selecting one for the Forte' Bb clarinet. All the ones listed with a decent reed in the 2 1/2 to 3 range (we supplied Gonzalez reeds for the test) performed well and in many cases improved the perceived, and to my ear at least, playability and satisfaction of the students with their ability to play a prescribed set of scales and simple tunes. In the end, for the Forte' clarinet, we chose the Gennusa after analyzing our test results but all performed satisfactorily.
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-06-05 15:03
I find the Fobes Debut to be a great mouthpiece. It is extremely consistent, plays easily and with a great tone. The students that I have had using it have had great success. i have students use a #2 reed, preferably Vandoren.
For a time I actually had a Debut in my case as a spare mouthpiece that I could feel comfortable to throw on in case I needed for a band gig or some situation where I didn't want to use my good mouthpiece. Honestly, I could play the Debut for a gig, it is that good.
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2007-06-05 16:26
Vandoren 5RV with 1.5 or 2.0 reed.
Most important is for the teacher to check it works!
Steve
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2007-06-05 21:46
Last time I checked, the choice of good teachers that I know was the Hite Premier (slight preference) or the Fobes Debut with a Rico Royal 2. General attitude around here is that absolute beginners don't need/aren't ready for more expensive professional reeds. Most students move up to Rico Royal 2.5's after a few months. The Hite Premier is slightly less resistant so it may work better initially for (young) absolute beginners. On the other hand, they will probably take longer to outgrow the Fobes.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-06-06 21:26
A well-made Fobes Debut is great. As with any mp, get three to six, inspect them carefully. If they pass on symmetry, rail uniformity, etc, then play test them.
richard smith
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-06-06 21:56
> As with any mp, get three to six, inspect them carefully.
Why is that? Why do we (well, I don't) do this with mouthpieces but not with cars or the menu in the restaurant or appendix surgeries? Are mouthpiece manufacturers incapable of delivering consistent quality, or are we just being capriccioso?
--
Ben
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Author: hans
Date: 2007-06-07 03:05
Ben,
Re "Are mouthpiece manufacturers incapable of delivering consistent quality, or are we just being capriccioso?"
Good question. Maybe some of us are trying to avoid getting a "lemon" when it's preventable with a little extra effort?
When I bought my 5RV I liked the first one I tried so much that I didn't bother to try any others. But maybe I should have.
Regards,
Hans
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