 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TmTmom
Date: 2017-10-19 21:05
Hello, thank you in advance for any advice you can offer.
I've purchased a Yamaha 450N for my middle schooler. This is her 3rd year playing and unless something drastic happens I foresee her continuing through high school.
The instrument comes with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece. Do you expect that is adequate for someone at her stage or is there a better/more appropriate mouthpiece?
Thank you again for your help!
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Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2017-10-19 21:13
Check out the Fobes Debut. They play very well and are very inexpensive.
-Jdbassplayer
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2017-10-19 22:35
The 4C isn't adequate as a door stop much less a mouthpiece. Depending on how much you're willing to spend, there are several options. The first option is the cheapest- the Behn Overture- at $35. While it is plastic, it is hand finished and much better than the Yamaha. Beyond that, there's the $100 range with the D'Adario X0 and Vandoren M13 Lyre, both of which would serve well through high school and beyond.
You might as well spend the little bit more and get the X0 or M13 Lyre.
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Author: mdj
Date: 2017-10-20 00:46
I purchased a Fobes Debut for my 4th grader and she does not struggle with it whatsoever.
Post Edited (2017-10-20 00:48)
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-10-20 01:05
The Yamaha mouthpiece is one of the worst mouthpieces for a school kid to play on. The horn is very good.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: pewd
Date: 2017-10-20 02:20
What mouthpiece is she currently playing on?
You do not necessarily need to switch mouthpieces when buying a new instrument.
If she's in her 3rd year, why doesn't she simply keep using her present mouthpiece on the new instrument?
What does her teacher recommend?
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: zhangray4
Date: 2017-10-20 03:29
If she is serious about playing, might as well get her a better mouthpiece. The Yamaha mouthpiece isn't that good
-- Ray Zhang
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2017-10-20 04:21
Fobes Debut seems to be by far the most popular choice at this level among teachers who know what they are doing. It's not the only one, but it's a great value. Most of my younger students have one.
Other good ones are the Ridenour Encore and Behn Overture. More expensive mouthpieces than these may be best for her in the future, but it's very important to have something well made in the meantime. Also, this mouthpiece can serve as a back-up/marching band mouthpiece in high school. The 4C mouthpiece is not great.
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Author: TmTmom
Date: 2017-10-20 07:55
Thank you all for your help.
She is currently playing on the random mouthpiece that came with her hand me down bumdy clarinet.
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2017-10-20 08:11
My son is now in 5th grade and I bought him a used Yamaha beginner model last year (the predecessor to the 250 I think), which came with the 4C. I was helping him all last year, but noticed he was having a tougher time with reeds than I felt he should at this level. I ended up purchasing the Behn Overture for him for $35 and it was an immediate and noticeable improvement. I haven't tried the Debut, but I believe they are similar and both popular options on this board for beginning and young players.
From our experience, I would echo everyone else that the 4C is not good. At his level I didn't think the mouthpiece would matter that much but it did (this coming from someone who spent several months last spring finding a custom mouthpiece for myself. LOL).
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-10-20 22:29
In my experience, the Fobes Debut is the best available choice for younger players who don't play with a lot of air support. Even very petite beginning students with weak air streams can get a very nice sound with the Debut.
The Ridenour Encore can develop a more mature sound than the Debut, but does require good air support to deliver decent results.
With the student being in her third year, I think it would be about time to consider an entry-level professional hard rubber mouthpiece, such as the Vandoren 5RV Lyre.
In any case...don't assume that the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece was painstakingly engineered to uniquely compliment the fine playing qualities of the YCL-450N clarinet. This is most certainly NOT the case! Keep it for emergency use only.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2017-10-21 02:59
> currently playing on the random mouthpiece that came with her hand me down bundy clarinet
A Fobes Debut would be an excellent choice.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Ed
Date: 2017-10-22 04:00
Bob says-
"The Yamaha mouthpiece is one of the worst mouthpieces for a school kid to play on. The horn is very good."
You should offer to design a student mouthpiece for them!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2017-10-22 23:31
The Yamaha Student Mouthpiece is not "that bad". I prefer it to the Hite (I don't like the Hite at all).
But yes, go for a better Mouthpiece such as mentioned and she will be a lot happier with it. Just make sure the reed is the correct strength (harder!).
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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