 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jessica
Date: 2001-11-05 01:17
I am a sophomore in high school and have no idea what mouthpiece I'm playing on; it's something my old instructor gave me and all it says is Woodwind Co. How can I figure out how open/closed its facing in? I only ask because I am planning on getting a new mpc soon and want to know what reed strength I should be using with what sort of set up (relative to the set up I'm using now). I don't know if I'm making any sense... oh well...
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-05 01:54
There are two possibilities:
One, it is a generic thing from the BW&WW, but I doubt it
Two, it is from Leblanc's "The Woodwind Company," which is their accessories division.
Take a ggod light and a magnifying glass and see if on the top of the mpc, above the shank, there is a circle with a triangle in the center (Leblanc's bell logo.)
Or an alphanumeric model number in large type.
The reason I say use a good light and a magnifyer is that, apparently, you've had this mpc for a while and have not detected any other markings. Sometimes, especially with a mpc you inherited in the fashion you did this one, the numbers and letters wear off and often all that is left of them is a barely perceptible imprint of where they once were.
Even if you don't find it, chances are it is a Leblanc mpc, but without the model number, it may not be possible to tell what technical specifications are particular to your mpc.
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-05 02:26
By the way, it is probably better to start from scratch in searching for a new mouthpiece, anyway.
Go to several catalogs and see what's available and what openings and facings are recommended for what type of music and start by matching them to the type of music you want to play.
Then go to your local music store and try a few of whatever they have in stock, some that you saw in the catalogs, and some they may recommend you try.
But don't let them sell you whatever they may be trying to get rid of. I know someone who was told that a particular mpc was the best and that even though it was difficult for him to play at first, it would "wear in" as he became more proficient with it. Then they refused to take it back because he took it home and used it for a week before catching on.
You can start at www.vandoren.com. At the bottom of the home page, click on products. At the top, left of the resulting page, you can download the current catalog in Adobe format or you can go further down, click on the specific product and view it there.
I like to download the Adobe version because it is easier to use and you can compare several comments, etc., at one time. Before I go out to buy, I also print some of the pages totake with me. That's better done with the Adobe version.
The WW&BW catalog also has a lot of mpc technical info and never disregard Sneezy's sponsors. Their mpcs are usually custom made and possibly more money, but in the long run, may be better for you to have something made specifically to your specifications, etc.
Good luck and enjoy.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-05 15:38
Excellent advice, Peter. I have several Woodwind mps, G8's and a B6, old, but they were the "standard good mps' on back and their relative dimensions are shown in mp charts in the advertising publications by WW&BW, Muncy, etc.They are still available for reasonable prices, considering the very high prices of the pro-hand-finished mps which certainly are excellent. Considering the many pages of mps in the catalogs, Its a Jungle Out There. Don
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Author: donald nicholls
Date: 2001-11-05 17:44
i have a little bit to add that might not make me popular......
yes, i agree with the advice above, but y'know, sometimes a mouthpiece DOES need to "wear in" only it's not the mouthpiece that changes but the player (of course, you knew that). As a mouthpiece refacer i sometimes get students who are playing on ridiculous facings/mouthpieces and who sound incredibly improved when they swap over to my mouthpiece.... but who then turn around and say "oh, i don't like this, it feels wierd". When parents/friends are in the room usually everyone says "oh but you sound better" and it's no problem. This situation seems to apply equally to 12 year olds AND the seasoned player.
Yes, of course it's not "one size fits all" with mouthpieces.... but sometimes a mouthpiece is worth growing in to- you can find that once you get used to it your reed selection becomes less troublesome, or that you can finally get the high notes better etc.
donald
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-11-06 15:36
Donald,
Although I, personally, probably would not go for it, I can see that what you say could have some possibilities (however remote, in my probably uninformed opinion.)
But in the case I am referring to, the shop owner took an inexperienced first year student (and his mother) and sold him an untried mouthpiece in its box. The kid took it home and brought it back the next day. That's when this person told him the rest of how it would wear in, etc.
Not a good way to keep clients, regardless of how badly you need to sell something out.
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