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mouthpiece fun?

Author: mattB1
Date: 2007-05-10 03:06

im new to this thing. my band director told me to try one out. this is my first try so dont screw me over guys. all joking aside, im a junior in high school and im looking for some help.

im purchasing a bass clarinet (this is not abnormal being as how i play the bass clarinet) for my post-high school years. Im always complimented on my dark tone and beautiful sound, but i think it can be better. Im looking at trying some new mouthpieces and ligatures to help out. any suggestions? im specifically wanting to know if anyone has ever tried a clark w fobes mouthpiece or a Bay mouthpiece and if they liked or disliked it and for what reasons.

also, for anyone out there:

what does the curvuture of the tip opening of the mouthpiece affect?
what would happen to my sound if i stayed with the same reed (vandoren 3.5 tenor sax) and went for a more open tip opening?

any kind of help would be appreciated, thanks.

MB

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Re: mouthpiece fun?

Author: bahamutofskycon
Date: 2007-05-10 05:39

I've never had the pleasure of trying the Fobes or Bay mouthpieces.

I love my new Walter Grabner CXZ_LB mouthpiece. Check it out at www.clarinetxpress.com/bass.html#CX_BZ

Steve Ballas

Post Edited (2007-05-10 14:14)

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Re: mouthpiece fun?

Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-05-10 08:32

I've tried both Fobes (two different models) and Bay (only one model) and many other mouthpiece. Both were good, but I preferred the Fobes and this is the mouthpiece I play (for some years now).

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Re: mouthpiece fun?

Author: Tobin
Date: 2007-05-10 13:22

Hello Matt,

I would also second Walter Grabner's work. I have tried (and liked) Clark Fobes' mouthpieces but I have not tried his bass clarinet offerings.

If you go for a wider tip opening the reed you are currently playing will be too stiff. Don't get married to a reed strength! It isn't linked to profieciency but to the dimensions of your mouthpiece.

I would suggest something else as well: taking some lessons from a pro clarinetist whose sound you like (or would like to emulate). There was once a time when I thought that the mouthpiece would greatly influence my sound...but that was before I was taught to not leave my sound up to my instrument!

James

Gnothi Seauton

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Re: mouthpiece fun?

Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-05-10 22:22

Tobin is right, wider tip opening = softer reed strength. Facing length affects how much mouthpiece required to take in the mouth, and how it feels to play. Short facing = less mouthpiece in mouth. Not sure how else this affects the sound. Thickness of tip rails affect articulation and darkness/brightness. Thinner tip rails = quicker response for articulation, but brighter sound. I don't know much else.

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