 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-08 16:40
My high school son came home yesterday, and said that the school band announced that they are going to give the entire clarinet section matching mouthpieces. Apparently he was the only one who raised his hand when the director asked if anyone played on a mouthpiece that did not come standard with their clarinets. He plays a B45 on a newly refurbished Buffet International that he got for Christmas from me.
The thought is that this will provide the section with a unified sound.
My limited experience tells me that mouthpieces are a very personal choice, and that the same instrument/mouthpiece played by different people will produce a different sound each time.
I must say that I am put off by this announcement, and for his own musical education and growth, I plan to protest. But before I stick my foot in my mouthpiece, I thought I'd ask the group if you feel the same way.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-01-08 16:46
I do feel the same way. This is just nonsense, and I have the evil thought that someone is getting a, uhm, recompensation for shoving new mouthpieces down the throats of a whole school.
What's next? Matching reeds? Matching ligatures? Matching tooth braces?
--
Ben
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Author: J. Usher
Date: 2009-01-08 17:12
Me thinks the band director is a trumpet player. I see a lot of this around here. He/she just might need to be politely educated.
Clarinet, Woodwind Methods, Music Ed.
CSUSB
San Bernardino, CA
jusher@csusb.edu
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-01-08 17:18
Agreed. At my daughters middle school, they sent home a list of "suggested" mouthpieces, along with a recommendation that all students be using certain brands and strengths of reeds. It was silly, because she was already using a better mouthpiece with a more properl;y suited reed for the setup. She had been stuying privately (one of the few in the section who did) and her teacher and I both disagreed with the recommendations. If someone is a serious student, the choice of setup should be left to the private instructor, the student and the parents and their ability to afford new gear.
Jeff
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-01-08 17:39
There is no such thing as "matching mouthpieces". You can take two or more mouthpieces of any brand, all of the same brand and model, and EVERY ONE WILL PLAY DIFFERENTLY. There is substantial variation sample-to-sample, even in the very expensive handmade mouthpieces, and especially so in mass-produced ones. And that's for one player, using the same reed and ligature. Even if one could obtain a group of truly identical mouthpieces, it would be overly optimistic to expect them to work well for every player.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-01-08 18:08
As I've written a few times before:
The last time a band director told me that all his students were required to play matching mouthpieces, I asked him if all the members of his marching band wore the same size shoes.
After all, wouldn't they march better if all the shoes were the identical size?
He quickly got the point and dropped the ridiculous "matching" requirement...GBK (a retired band director)
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2009-01-08 18:22
Hi, Bluesparkle........... I'm with tictactux on this one... as I said in a previous post, I have witnessed this in action in a local shop- it is disgraceful that this can happen to beginners.
All of the replies are valid, so please do protest!............. H&P
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2009-01-08 18:27
" -.....and said that the school band announced ..... -- "
WHO is the school band?
Perhaps he/she was just playing a new year joke?
At least I hope it was a joke.
Sounds like you don't need need new mouthpieces, but rather a new Band Leader!
What next? Matching ligatures?
Steve
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-01-08 18:50
Jeff,
Just curious: What happened in your daughter's case. I'm certain she continued to play her set-up after you and her teacher appropriately intervened. But how did it play out, so to speak?
chuck
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Author: kdk
Date: 2009-01-08 19:11
There's a difference between giving out a list of suggestions and giving out or requiring everyone to buy the same mouthpiece. Recommended lists may be a help to parents who want to upgrade a child's equipment but don't know what to look for. A list gives them a starting point, but it doesn't (or shouldn't) rule out other choices that may be recommended instead by a private teacher or other knowledgeable resource.
I agree with everyone else here (so far) about trying to homogenize the section's sound by having them play the same mouthpiece -whether they're being given out or bought by parents. It's a pointless waste of everyone's efforts.
Karl
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Author: modernicus
Date: 2009-01-08 19:19
We are BORG, you will be assimilated! Seriously, though, there are so many things wrong with this, it is hard to tell where to start.
Post Edited (2009-01-08 19:21)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-01-08 20:04
Bluesparkle wrote:
> the director asked if anyone played on a mouthpiece
> that did not come standard with their clarinets.
In other words, if a student has a brand new Buffet Greenline R13 with a Greg Smith mouthpiece, they would have to use the stock Buffet mouthpiece (in essence a space filler in the case) because it "came standard with their clarinet"
As my students might say: "That's just a big bowl of stupid."
He sounds like a band director who desperately needs a refresher course in Instrumental Techniques 101.
...GBK
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-01-08 20:32
"As my students might say: "That's just a big bowl of stupid."
He sounds like a band director who desperately needs a refresher course in Instrumental Techniques 101."
Couldn't agree more, Glenn!
_________________________________________________________________
Chuck, once we talked it over with the band director, she saw the light. She actually got along with my daughter just fine, and they are good friends now, 6 years later. She has a really good teacher these days, which helps a great deal! She "outgrew her old teacher several years ago and is studying privately with a pro in the symphony.
Jeff
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-01-08 20:44
I had an experience similar to this during my years in high school band. Being yelled at for my "bad embouchure" by a trumpet player band director. Fortunately, during all of my lessons in undergraduate and now graduate study, my embouchure style has been confirmed as being both mainstream and correct.
It would be best for everyone in band to be taking lessons from someone who knows what they are doing so that their setup can be adjusted for their person. However, this doesn't happen most of the time. This is many times due to lack of funds, lack of knowledge of parents (they don't know that they should be getting their child lessons....mostly the fault of the band director for not educating the kids parents on this matter).
I can see how a band director might want to tell their students to all play a 5RV Lyre, as my beginner class did when I started. This is obviously much better than having people play on stock mouthpieces or whatever was in their great aunt's clarinet that came from the attic.
If it is not feasible for the students in high school to take lessons, suggestions by the band director would have to be fairly general (as personal attention isn't possible for everyone). Therefore, the responsible band director (non-clarinetist) would be wise to discuss this topic with a clarinetist who is experienced in teaching and playing. Good recommendations could then be made.
Best case scenario would be for the band director to order some mouthpieces on trial for his\her students to try.
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2009-01-08 20:46
How very odd! Do they all have the same clarinet model right now? And dental work and mouth cavity and tongues......? Well the clarinets isn't a big problem....I saw some on that auction site just the other day....colour matched and everything. They could have blue, yellow, green, red, white etc. and very inexpensive, too! Matched pink clarinets would be just stunning esp. for those outdoor events in spring. Please protest this nonsense.
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Author: D
Date: 2009-01-08 20:51
I agree with all of the above, had me giggling away.
I also want to point out: I have Vandoren mouthpieces, 1 5RV and 3 B40s, also a BG mouthpiece which I can't remember the number of. Of my 3 clarinets,(2 Bb, 1 A) they all fit certain ones but by no means are they interchangeable. All the clarinets are the same make too. I dread to think what would happen with different makes of instruments.
Regarding the same strength reeds, inspired by the same size shoes comment - lets make all the students also wear the same size band uniform while we are at it!
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-08 20:56
Based on your responses, I have offered my help rather than my criticism to the band director, and have hopefully caught him before he buys 30 cheap mouthpieces to replace the existing 30 cheap mouthpieces already in use.
First thing is I suggested is that it should be determined if each student's instrument is in good, playable condition. I can make maintenance suggestions, and help those who may benefit from an upgrade for concert season learn what to look for when shopping for a better horn.
Probably some of the younger kids are still playing on reeds that are too flimsy, or don't know when to throw them away and I can help in that area, too. Personally, I think learning to tune will help more than mouthpieces for all.
Last suggestion was that I could make a list of "recommended" equipment for those students who aren't currently taking privately. Although a previous poster who got one of these from their high school didn't care for that approach, I do know that there are lots of parents out there who don't know a Chinese clarinet from a French one, and would appreciate some guidance.
My clarinet-playing son is also in a bagpipe band. Members of the band teach those who want to learn, and because I am ignorant about this instrument, I found their suggestions for equipment quite valuable.
But the bagpipe discussion is for another thread...
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Author: LonDear
Date: 2009-01-08 22:07
The way I interpreted the OP was that the school (or BD or boosters) were going to GIVE the students a mouthpiece, but not necessarily make them play them. If each student trys the gifted mouthpiece and chooses the one that makes them sound better, or makes playing easier, then there should be some improvement in the sound of the section. It may also improve some attitudes towards playing, which I feel is more important.
I REALLY like the way you handled the situation by offering what I thought was very good input for the BD. I wish that more parents were as caring and concerned about their children's musical education back in the days when I was teaching.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2009-01-08 22:09
I have many good customers and restorers that are pipers. They have similar wood issues as us and afterall this is Woodwind.org and bagpipes certainly qualify as a woodwind instrument - just a surrogate for the wind but wood, toneholes and reeds!
L. Omar Henderson
www.doctorsprod.com
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2009-01-09 12:55
It's a good think this director isn't in charge of the Chicago Symphony where they play three different brands of clarinet. No one is complaining about their sound are they?
Eefer guy
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2009-01-09 13:52
GBK wrote,
>The last time a band director told me that all his students were required to play matching mouthpieces, I asked him if all the members of his marching band wore the same size shoes.>
>
After all, wouldn't they march better if all the shoes were the identical size?
>
Yes, and naturally the conductor will want to implement the suggestions other people made about identical reeds and ligatures. But let's not stop there! All the kids should be the same height, too, and maintain the same weight, and if the law says we really have to let this mixture of girls and boys play in the same band, then at least we can make sure they look unisex. That means all the kids will get identical haircuts, dye their hair the same color and wear identical makeup. Either the boys will all wear falsies or the girls will all wear chest-binders so nobody can tell who's a girl and who's a boy. (Let's go with the falsies, because it's really impossible to flatten down some of those girls.) And we can't have some kids using neck straps while other kids don't, and naturally we'll teach all of them to hold their clarinets at exactly the same angle.
As everybody else has said: Theme and variations on *sheesh*! Well, my giggle for the week, but Bluesparkle, I'm glad you found such a constructive and non-combative way to approach this instructor. In your place, I might've controlled myself less successfully, waxed a teeny bit sarcastic, put the ignoramus on the defensive and thus insured he'd never yield and change his ways.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-01-09 14:10
Taking into consideration that many students do not have the interest in taking the time testing several mouthpieces to find the best fit for them, nor do they have the technique to make the best choice, I have a logical semi-support for the band director's idea.
Although all mouthpieces play differently, and all people are different, it is probably better to have the whole section play on the same mouthpiece *of good quality* than "whatever the student has". For example putting the entire section or 5RV does not seem like a bad idea to me.
Post Edited (2009-01-09 21:53)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-01-09 14:26
> For example putting the entire section or 5RV does not seem like a bad idea
> to me.
With the same logic you can say let's equip the whole section with R13s (or whatever brand closes the deal). Plus Vandoren for everyone.
That's not how a free market in a supposedly free country is expected to work. This would be dictatorship and monopolism.
--
Ben
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2009-01-09 14:30
I agree with skygardener. For pitch level, ease of tone production and tonal qualities this would be a good idea. There are of course many reasons why it is also a stupid idea. I just happen to favour the first evaluation.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2009-01-09 15:55
I agree with skygardener.
Noting that:
>> the director asked if anyone played on a mouthpiece
>> that did not come standard with their clarinets.
GBK wrote:
>In other words, if a student has a brand new Buffet Greenline R13 with a
>Greg Smith mouthpiece, they would have to use the stock Buffet
>mouthpiece (in essence a space filler in the case) because it "came
>standard with their clarinet"
>As my students might say: "That's just a big bowl of stupid."
Well, it would be if that's what he was driving at but I read it differently. And I think you may be doing him an injustice, Glenn. My "map" on the situation (based on what Bluesparkle has reported and recognizing that, without hearing from the band director, we don't have nearly all the facts) is that the director was trying to improve the quality of mouthpiece his kids are using -- given that all but one of them are using the stock mouthpiece that came with their instrument. Maybe he even learned from this Board how bad stock mouthpieces are!!?!!?! (Some posters here have gone so far as to advise others to discard their new stock mouthpieces without even bothering to try them to see if they work. IMNSHO, BTW, that's at least an equally "big bowl of stupid.")
We don't know what mouthpiece the school was planning to give the students. It may have been something that isn't any better than what they have. Maybe, however, the school was planning to give everyone a Fobes Debut or a Hite Premier, e.g.. That would probably be (again IMNSHO) an improvement over what many of them are currently using and, in any case, quite different from requiring everyone to buy and use a B45. (While the implication is that they would expect everyone to use the new mouthpiece, as LonDear points out, we don't know that for a fact.)
Would giving everyone a Debut result in a unified sound? Very unlikely. Would it improve the sound (not to mention enjoyment of the instrument) for some of the kids? Probably, unless stock mouthpieces are better than most of us are willing to give them credit for or the band director makes a bad choice.
Bravo, Bluesparkle for rising above the level of many of the responses you received on this Board and for coming up with such a positive approach. It seems to me that, while he may be a bit misguided, your band director really has his kids interests at heart. Of course, what the new mouthpiece will be, whether everyone will be required to use it, and how the director responds to your initiative will tell the tale.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-01-09 16:20
Hi Everyone,
As a former HS band director, who can play pretty good brass as well, I was never uncomfortable suggesting that a Bach 7C or 10 1/2B would be a good starting place for my students to begin MP GAS. For low brass, Bach was usually a good choice as well.
For the sax players, a Selmer C* and for clarinet players an HS**. I played (still have the same one) a Portnoy BP02 and found some players really liked it. These are always good starting points.
However, I always had a collection of MPs that students could check out and try for a few days. The caveat was that a little soap and water kept things sanitary and that was the only way to bring MPs back.
I have seem many threads where BB members recommend VD, Hite, or Fobes MPs at the drop of a hat. So, perhaps a little less assault of the band director might be in order.
Also, unless BlueSparkle was actually present when the announcement was made, there could have been some translation errors as the message was passed along. In hindsight, maybe a written announcement might have been better.
HRL
Post Edited (2009-01-09 18:09)
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-09 16:35
Jack has correctly interpreted the question that the band director raised when he asked the students if anyone played on a mouthpiece other than the one that came with their clarinets. My take on this is that he wants to improve the stock mouthpiece issue by providing new and improved moutpieces...not that he wants everyone to use their stock mouthpieces even if they own a better one.
I haven't heard back from the director, but if he wants my assistance, I would be interested in hearing from the group what type of set up you think would be appropriate for the 14-18 year old crowd...horns, mouthpieces, ligatures, reeds, etc. specifically for a concert band setting. Keep in mind that most of them do not take privately, and that this band is regularly performing Grade 4 music. Most of them probably started playing in 6th grade, so they have been in the band for 4-7 years.
If I am going to make a list of suggested equipment, then I don't want to limit it to the brands that I know best and personally prefer. There are lots of good options out there that I have never tried.
My intent is not to "sell" any specific set up, but rather to let those still playing off-brand, leaky instruments know what to look for in an upgrade or help them understand what good a little repair and adjustment can do.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-01-09 16:56
As a retired public school band director who was required by the school principal to have beginning band classes as large as 80 for 52 min, three times a week, it is often impossible to give everyone in each section the individual attention they need for optimum success. Moreover, it is not reasonalbe to expect every generic band director to have in depth knowledge of every instruments playing needs--embouchure, posture, special fingerings, reed adjustments, etc. How many of you clarinet experts know the finer points regarding bassoon & oboe fingerings and emboucure?? Even a trumpet major may not necessarily know the correct horn or trombone mouthpiece placement on the embouchure. That is why private teachers are so essential, just as specialists in the medical profession. There is just too much to learn--and even if the band director can, often too little time and too many students to serve. Not mention bugetary problems that prevent buying music and new instruments to replace the ones that are falling apart. Please do not be so quick to place all of the blame on the local band director for not knowing about Fobes clarinet mouthpieces, etc. They are most likely doing the best that they can.
What might help your local band directors is for you to offer your expertise to their students in the form of class lessons, clinics or any other consultation that may be acceptable. And I "practice what I preach". Although retired, I go back to my old middle school every Wednesday and give individual free lessons to beginning band students that need individual help getting started--still too many students and too little time for the current band director. It is really rewarding and fun to see a kids eyes light up when they realize a little musical success. BTW, their first "big" concert is next Wed eve. and I will be sitting in with the trombones to help them through the counter melody in "Jingle Bells".
Have a visit with your local school music teacher and offer some help. Most likely, they can really use it.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-01-09 17:03
"What might help your local band directors is for you to offer your expertise to their students in the form of class lessons, clinics or any other consultation that may be acceptable. And I "practice what I preach". Although retired, I go back to my old middle school every Wednesday and give individual free lessons to beginning band students that need individual help getting started--still too many students and too little time for the current band director. It is really rewarding and fun to see a kids eyes light up when they realize a little musical success."
You make a very good point, William. I have done precisely that in the past, and I know it has made a difference. It's also quite rewarding, personally, as you mentioned.
Jeff
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-09 18:11
The director is good. The kids love band. He motivates them to push themselves. The band is large enough to have two assistant directors and one intern. There are too many kids for the director himself to help individually, and I know he cannot be an expert in each instrument. He has to focus on the big picture and I understand that.
I think the idea of getting the entire clarinet section to play on one type of mouthpiece is a big picture idea to what is really a small picture issue. I have not and will not ridicule the director, nor do I think he's an idiot. He's got an idea that he thinks will help his band get better, and passing out better mouthpieces than the kids already have is about all he can do to help them individually.
I will report back once I hear from him to see if he takes me up on my offer of meeting with each player and giving their equipment a review.
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Author: MartyMagnini
Date: 2009-01-09 21:51
I realize I'm a bit late to this discussion, but........ I also agree that the director may have been misunderstood by some. When I get my freshmen, I also strongly urge them to play on a Fobes Debut (preferred) or a Hite Premier, if they don't already own an "upgrade" mouthpiece. I have NO problem whatsoever with any student playing a different mouthpiece, as long as its a decent (or better) brand. I have students who come to play already playing Vandorens, or other mouthpieces - totally fine. I'm not looking for a uniform sound or a "one size fits all" fix, I just want them to play on a mouthpiece that is not going to make it more difficult for them to play in tune and get a good sound. I do always have a few Debuts and Premiers around, so they can try them first. I also have some Vandorens around, and a several of my own experiements through the years (some Hawkins, Smiths, Fobes, Ridenours, etc.) that they are welcome to try whenever they want. The reason I am so quick to recommend the Fobes as their first step is that I think it's a very nice mouthpiece, and I think $30 is a very reasonable investment for Mom & Dad to consider. Of course, these are just strong suggestions by me, I would never "force" anyone to switch. Some (gotta love 'em) play on their Vito or Yamaha mouthpieces all 4 years. That's one (of many) reasons my hair is turning gray!
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-01-09 21:57
Ben quoted me-
> For example putting the entire section or 5RV does not seem like a bad idea
> to me.
And wrote-
"With the same logic you can say let's equip the whole section with R13s (or whatever brand closes the deal). Plus Vandoren for everyone."
--
Well, Yes. To supply all the students with R13s rather than the cheapest thing that their parents could find IS BETTER.
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-09 22:07
Now we're getting personal. Got anything against R-13's and Vandorens? Huh? Huh?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-01-09 22:17
> Well, Yes. To supply all the students with R13s rather than the cheapest
> thing that their parents could find IS BETTER.
Hmm, I should have known it'd come that way. Okay, lets equip the whole section with say Vitos or Yamaha 250s, to keep cost down a bit. Now I'm pretty sure this would cause an uproar. "No way my son's going to play that instrument"
I certainly agree that there are better choices than that $99.99 specimen from the mail-order catalog. But there should be a choice.
> Got anything against R-13's and Vandorens? Huh? Huh?
Not really. Long as I don't have to play them... I'm happy with my Marigaux, Behn, Rovner and Mitchell Lurie. I guess I ain't a mainstream guy.
--
Ben
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Author: clarinetdude108
Date: 2009-01-10 03:07
My band director made a list of one professional horn for each section and recommended they all buy that horn, and not to buy anything else without talking to them first, despite whatever the student's private teacher might say.
The only clarinet listed was an R-13.
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Author: bstutsman
Date: 2009-01-10 03:13
I'm surprised at the lack of support for the idea of unified mouthpieces and equipment. As a clarinet player and a former band director, I see considerable merit in the idea.
The primary goal is to make sure that the player is using something good and not some mouthpiece leftover from a beginner clarinet kit.
Striving for matching pitch and tone is helped by matched equipment. A group of clarinetists playing on a hodge-podge of equipment is not good for section sound.
The link below illustrates a clarinet section using Vandoren 5rv Lyre mouthpieces on R13s. The students get the mouthpieces when they get their beginner instruments. That way, they all start the same.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0VR_I4mwEF8
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2009-01-10 04:40
The way I understood the OP was that the director was providing mouthpieces for the clarinet section to use. It was my understanding that 95% of the section were playing on stock mouthpieces.
I don't really see a problem with that as long as the students are allowed to use whatever mouthpiece works best for them after trying out the mouthpiece the band director gave them.
Our band directors hand out M30's and Rovner evo-5 ligatures like candy. You are expected to try them out, and if they see you playing something else they will ask about it. If you tell them you liked x mouthpiece or x ligature better after trying both, then they are perfectly fine with you playing that. It puts everyone at a par level to start out, but they are free to excede if they feel better on different hardware.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-01-10 11:43
Bluesparkle,
I'm a little confused with your offer to "of meeting with each player and giving their equipment a review." You mention that you have "limited experience" but then you said that you could make maintenance suggestions.
What is your clarinet playing/teaching or instrument maintenance experience? How is it better than one of the assistant directors or the intern?
Have I missed something about your qualifications?
HRL
Post Edited (2009-01-11 23:46)
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-10 13:24
Started playing clarinet in 5th grade. I guess that was in 1980? In high school, my band director was a clarinet player, and he gave a few of us free private lessons, got us set up with decent equipment, and throughout high school I made 1st or 2nd chair at all the local/state band opportunities (All-State, etc.). Later took privately from a symphony player at Blair School of Music (in Nashville). Started my college career at UT Knoxville in music education, with scholarships from both the band department and the music department. Took privately from the clarinet professor at UT for two years, then became more interested in the course of study that one of my good friends was taking and switched majors to communications mid-way through my college career. Continued to play in the band all for years of college. Currently play for my church, who hires symphony and college players to accompany the choir on occasion, and recently joined the East TN Concert Band.
My intent is to listen to the kids play for me, and if they are struggling, to play their clarinet for myself to see if there are any mechanical problems with the instrument. Although I am not a tech and cannot fix their instrument, I can tell when it is not working properly, probably just by running through the chromatic scale. My son brings home stories of kids dropping their clarinets on the parking lot where they practice with the result of bent keys, etc. On one especially cold night, some kid lost a couple of pads. I also know that most kids have one instrument that they use for both marching and concert season.
In my opinion, a student who has played on a poorly functioning horn since they started may not be aware of what they are missing. My intent is to find these students and tell them that part of their struggle is that they are fighting with their instrument, and to send a note home with them to give to their parents with a suggestion to take it to the shop, and perhaps a few suggestions as far as mouthpieces, reeds, etc. are concerned.
During chair placement tryouts I was in the band room waiting for my son to return, and there was one boy who sounded absolutely terrible. He sounded like his reed was a plank, and he was really trying his hardest. He was probably influenced by his peers to choose a harder reed because that's what you are "supposed to be able to play" in high school. This, I can help fix, even though I am not a professional clarinetist.
As far as having one of the assistants/interns help...again the problem is that there are 165 kids in the band, who are to be kept busy for 1.5 hours a day, and limited physical space. They provide the opportunity for sectional practice during the marching season, because the kids can find a place outside. However, the sectionals are typically run by other students (with the possible exception of band camp, where they have extra adult help). For concert season, they have been divided into two symphonic bands, plus a jazz band.
I do not know in what instrument the directors specialize, but I do know that during marching season, they bring in one of the middle school band directors who plays clarinet specifically to help the section. This tells me that the high school directors probably explored the clarinet as part of an instrument class during their college years, but that none of them are experts with the instrument.
I am a band booster parent who has played clarinet for 29 years. That is my experience. Perhaps I'm vain, but I think I know enough to at least get the kids steered in the right direction.
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Author: William
Date: 2009-01-10 14:39
"I am a band booster parent who has played clarinet for 29 years. That is my experience. Perhaps I'm vain, but I think I know enough to at least get the kids steered in the right direction."
Bravo!! Talk to the band director in question and offer your servicies. Your interest in your child's music program and your willingness to volunteer aide is commendable and will most likely be much appreciated by the BD and his students.
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2009-01-10 14:44
Hi, all.......... WOW- having just read the postings on "circular breathing", this is surely "circular posting".
On reading some of the replies, I find myself sharing some views. I do not wish to retract the very small contribution that I put in, but really......... I don't know where I now stand on this. At first I was under the impression that I was trying to give a little comfort to a hard-pressed parent who knew little of what is going on in the clarinet "business".
Now, I haven't a clue.
This is surely the "shaggy dog" story to end all............. H&P.
It is so much easier to offer help when the cards are on the table.
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-10 15:11
New to the clarinet bboard, so perhaps I have just made my introduction in the previous post. Hello all. Did not mean to mislead anyone regarding my credentials in the original post wondering if the matching mouthpiece thing was a good or bad thing. I really don't know.
I have experience playing the clarinet. However, since 1983 I have played the same instrument with the same mouthpiece, with the same reeds (okay, not THE same reed). I haven't played frequently for a few years until recently, and my set up has gotten me far enough so I had no real need to do any research until now.
I have not kept up with the latest/greatest things on the market, have never given any lessons, and wouldn't really be able to know what the latest trends are in music education (like matching equipment). I went from a Vito with a no-name mouthpiece in 8th grade to professional equipment in 9th grade and never ventured into the intermediate equipment realm.
When I first heard from my son that the clarinets were all in for band-prescribed mouthpieces, I guess my instinct was to protest, since I do know enough to understand that the same mouthpiece on different instruments in the hands of different players does not necessarily provide the unified sound that I understand is the object of this idea. Just seems to me to be a "one size fits all" solution to what is probably an individual problem.
The varied answers of whether or not this is a good idea are quite interesting, and is exactly the type of feedback I was hoping to find here.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-01-10 18:33
Bluesparkle,
You certainly have the skill as well as the desire. However, a word of caution from a former band director (and also an administrator) to be careful here.
The director is hired by the local Board of Education and has the legal responsibility for what goes on in his or her classroom. The department head or principal should probabaly be in the loop and approve any involvement you might in school. The Board may also have some very strict rules as to who is in the classroom and what that person is doing.
I see from your bio that you in real estate sales; be cautious that there is no hint to your work. Other band parents may be concerned about possible conflict of interest.
And finally, how does your so feel about you playing a role in the band? Don't make a well-intentioned gesture turn into a "situation."
HRL (aka a very cautious former HS teacher)
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-10 19:02
I don't think being at the school is a problem, so long as the director will take me up on my offer to help. He's a big advocate on getting the parents to really run the show...help with uniforms, food at events, fundraising, etc. He directs and administrates and the parents do the leg work. Back in college I worked with the band director when he was at another school. Didn't remember it until he reminded me that I went with his band to band camp and instructed his colorguard for a week.
Also long time member of the PTA (I do the school newsletters), and have chaperoned before, so many of the kids know me already. Band booster president and I played in the UT band together. Both middle school band directors and I go to church together. A good number of the parents of the kids in the band are on my real estate mailing list, and the car I drive is wrapped with my company's logo, so everyone knows that I'm the band mom with the crazy real estate car. Besides, I'm not going to hand out equipment suggestions on my company letterhead.
My husband used to teach piano lessons at a private school. They gave him a closet with a piano in it to use. He gave lessons with the door open. I know where you are going with your suggestions, but without the help of parents (at least for this particular band), they wouldn't be where they are today, and we have all been encouraged to take part.
As far as my son is concerned, he's comfortable in his own skin. My husband has been the assistant youth director, and is now the youth choir/handbell choir director, so if we weren't involved somehow, he would be surprised.
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Author: clariniano
Date: 2009-01-11 21:44
I actually like the idea of using a quality starter mouthpiece, in fact, a lot of my clarinet students, if they don't have a quality mouthpiece already, I get the Fobes Debut as their starter, usually ordering one or two extra in fact before I played my first professional mouthpiece (an M15, which I recently replaced) I played the Fobes Debut, and got asked about it. I have tried other so-called quality starter mouthpieces, and think the Fobes is the winner, hands down.
Meri
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Author: Bluesparkle
Date: 2009-01-12 00:00
Since I wrote the original post, I have changed the way I feel about this thanks to everyone's input. I do see how giving everyone the same good quality mouthpiece is an improvement over the whole section playing their stock mouthpieces. My jury is still out over whether or not it will provide the unified sound the director seeks. Perhaps it will, though, provide a better sound. I'll let you know what happens at school.
To get a more unified sound, I think that, instead of stopping at mouthpieces, there needs to be some individual experimentation in reed strength, tuning, and an examination of instrument quality/condition to go along with it. I remember the first time a teacher "tuned me in" to the fact that you can hear the sound vibrations faster or slower, depending on how "in tune" you are with another instrument. That was fascinating, and probably something that should be demonstrated to this group.
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