 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Morrigan
Date: 2003-02-26 04:11
I've been using the same mouthpiece for 4 years now... When I play now, it feels 'old' and 'tired'. Can a mouthpiece actually be worn out, and when is it a good time to look for a new one?
It's not the just the above factors - I also feel like my way of playing has changed, that my concept of my own playing is different now from 4 years ago, and a change of mouthpiece is in order.
Thanks in advance, dudes!
__________
Buffet Mafia
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Author: Bradley
Date: 2003-02-26 04:29
Lol- I know the feeling
When i was a beginner ( as if i'm that experienced even now)
I used a Vandoren B45, and my embouchure was like tailor made to play it after about 2 years. When I wanted to upgrade, I found that I had to play for at least half an hour on another mpc to get a decent sound out of it.
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Author: Shawn
Date: 2003-02-26 13:02
It is not totally uncommon for the table of a mouthpiece to warp. This could be the difference you are feeling in your playing. Though, if you feel that your playing has changed, you might want to find a mouthpiece that will help reflect that change in sound, especially if your old mouthpiece is working against you. I wish you luck with your mouthpiece hunt.
-Shawn
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-02-26 13:13
I have a feeling that perhaps it's really your playing or expectations that have changed rather than the mp. Now you are at the $64,000 question level,however, where opinons abound.
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Author: Burt
Date: 2003-02-26 13:22
My mouthpiece is nearly 50 years old. I think it's still as good as ever. I'm thinking of replacing it, but to get something better. As BobD said, perhaps you have advanced past the level of your present mouthpice.
It's not the MOUTHPIECE which feels old, but you probably have a long way to go before worrying about that.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-02-26 14:56
While I do not subscribe to the notion of clarinets becoming "blown" or "swabbed" out, mouthpiece facings do sometimes change over the years. But what I think is more common is a change in our hearing, or rather, our mental concept of "what is desirable" and how we percieve our relatinve playing sound. In my own case, however, it is just that I am getting older and am gradually losing the upper range of my hearing--and that consequently, produces a change in how I percieve the quality of my sound. Others tell me that I am sounding as "good as ever" but I, nevertheless, seem to hear a difference--wheither a real change or just a result of lost hearing, something I am learning to "deal with." But for younger, developing clarinetists, a "change of sound" is most probably a result of improved technique, lack of recent practice, a run of "bad" reeds or a change in their mental concept of what a "good" sound is--not necessarily a change in their physical equipement (mpc or instrument).
Life is a constant state of change, and thank goodness for that--no change equates boredom and hopelessness. Diversity (not love) is the "spice" of life. (okokok--sermon over, I'll sign off)
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