 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-03-06 08:28
Hi,
Can anyone help me please ?
This will sound a very stupid request to all you experienced players but ..........
From what I've read it appears that mouthpiece patches aid the tone and as a more mature beginner I need all the help I can get !!! So I bought a pack of clear ones.
The snag is I don't know how and where to fit them exactly !!!
Unfortunately there wasn't a picture on the pack and I don't have anyone I can ask as I don't have lessons - job hours not condusive !!
I've searched on the net but all I can find is general info about them ,sizes, colours etc but nowhere can I find how they are fitted.
Thanks
Sue
:)
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Author: clarinetdaddy
Date: 2003-03-06 09:04
Hello Sue. Place the patch just before the tip and sides of the mpc. Make sure the patch doesn't overlap the mpc. Make sure your top teeth will rest on the patch. Hope this helps. This is easy to do but hard to explain. Hope I helped. Miles
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Author: jez
Date: 2003-03-06 09:22
Sue,
Clarinetdaddy explains where to fit the patch, but you also ask how. Maybe you havent noticed that the patch has a self-adhesive back covered with paper. Peel it off and you're away.
Whether using one aids the tone is an interesting point. The only effect I can think of is to widen the bite slightly so increase the mouth-cavity. If this is what you want you might try different thicknesses. Some of the clear ones are very hard and thin. I prefer the thicker, rubbery sort. Yamaha make clear ones, others are black.
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2003-03-06 09:41
I very much doubt that it alters the tone.
However it may alter the player's PERCEPTION of the tone because it will drastically cut down on the vibrations conducted to the ear via the mouthpiece, the teeth, the jaws and skull.
Without this distortion the player is more likely to hear what the audience hears - the sound that gets to the ears via the air. I hope you like it!
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-03-06 13:22
Hi,
Thanks to you all for your help. I'll have a go at attaching one now !
Maybe I'd got it wrong about the tone - my understanding was that as an "older" beginner (I'm well over 40 !!!) I'd find the patch/cushion helpful as my embouchure isn't that brilliant !!!
Just one other little question .........is the mouthpiece path the same as the mouthpiece cushion ????
Thanks
Sue
:)
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Author: FrankM
Date: 2003-03-06 13:50
Actually, I think the mouth piece patches ( at least the thick black ones I like) sort of help you to open up your oral chamber.... maybe like the double lip embouchure does?....I think this changes the sound more than just in the players head
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Author: Wes
Date: 2003-03-06 16:30
One can make two small patches out of one with a scissors since the area to be covered can be small. I prefer small clear thin patches, mostly to protect the mouthpiece. The thick rubbery ones are not my choice because the mouth must be opened more and I perceive a loss of high frequency content in the sound due to damping of the mouthpiece vibration. It may make no difference to the listener, however. Good luck!!
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Author: Simon
Date: 2003-03-06 22:21
Sue,
I have been using the black patches and did help me, however not so much with sound quality but made it easier to control the mouthpiece. Prior to using the patches the mouthpiece moved somewhat and I ended up with sqeeks etc. Since the introduction of the patches I have better control and can focus on quality rather than focus on just getting a sound.
Good luck!
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Author: jez
Date: 2003-03-06 22:28
wes,
If I cut them in half to get 2, I find that the adhesive isn't strong enough to hold them in place so they slip around. (upwards in my case)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-03-06 22:53
Sue, as far as I'm concerned mouthpiece cushions and patches are one and the same
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2003-03-07 07:02
Getting the thin clear ones means that you can stack them to get the thickness you feel is just right for you. I go along with the idea that by using patches, although the sound you actually produce may not alter, you are taking the "percussion/vibration/conduction element away from your perception of the sound you produce. You therefore "hear" it differently (arguably more accurately). However, you are still too close to hear how you really sound in an auditorium. You can always record yourself for a better "picture".
BobT
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-03-07 15:33
Again many thanks to you all for your advice.
Much appreciated
sue
:)
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Author: Jim
Date: 2003-03-07 17:44
Sue said:
>that as an "older" beginner (I'm well over 40 !!!)
There are some more of us too. I'm 56 and just started playing last July. Taking private lessons and everything.... Having a ball. Getting good too..... ![[right]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie8.gif)
To stay on topic, I have never tried the patch or cushion, but I have a small chip missing from one of my teeth, and the cushion just might help with the rocking motion I get while playing. Thanks for the idea.
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