 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-09-25 21:35
I'm trying to play "Stranger on the Shore" ( yeah I know but the old folk where I work want me too - that's my excuse and I'm sticking to it!!) - I can play it ok as long as I stop a couple of times for sips of water - very professional !!!
My mouth seems to dry so quickly which effects my playing - particularly the higher notes. Practice doesn't seem to be helping with this problem.
I'm playing a Noblet clarinet with a Richard Hawkins student mouthpiece (plus patch)and Vandoren V12 2.5 reed.
This seems to be something that's getting worse for me instead of better - am I using the wrong reed - type or strength maybe ?????
Would a plastic reed be better ? Not that I ever tried one but I understand that they do exist.
Any suggestions would be much appreciated.
Thanks
Sue
:)
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2003-09-25 21:49
You might think of the shore as on a beautiful lake on a foggy? day. Psychologically moist? Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: hans
Date: 2003-09-25 22:57
Sue,
In addition to investigating GBK's leads, you could look for a dry mouth solution spray which is sold by pharmacists (chemists in the U.K.?) to treat the symptom.
The one I have is called Moi-Stir. It's made/sold by a company called Paladin Labs, in Montreal (Canada) but there is probably a British equivalent. The product use is described as: "quickly relieves dry mouth caused by certain medication, therapeutic treatments, dieases, and advanced age". It contains no sugar.
It might also be useful to make a list of all medicines, prescription and over-the-counter, that you use and ask the pharmacist to identify any that might contribute to the problem.
I hope this is useful. Best wishes,
Hans
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-09-26 18:38
Thanks folks for your suggestions - Don I think you've hit the nail on the head with ".......advanced age " !!!! It really made me chuckle - thanks !
Sue
:)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-09-26 22:37
Those old folks usually keep the temp over 90; that's probably the problem
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Author: cujo
Date: 2003-09-27 03:11
I was forced to learn 2 octaves on a trumpet for school. Well my lips started bleeding because they were so dry. My teacher reccomended I drink alot more water because i was dehydrated. well next day i drank alot more water and my lips were back to normal. At least I get to learn all the woodwinds next semester, even the bassoon...oh joy
Well I guess you could try to drink alot more water. Should do something good and really cant hurt.
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Author: salvey
Date: 2003-09-28 15:06
Sue,
As one who has a chronic dry mouth caused by a required medication, I can empathize with you. I suggest that you leave no stone unturned in trying to find the cause of this condition. You might want to start with your dentist, if you're not on any meds which cause dry mouth.
In the meantime, I'd strongly advise you to try one of the several synthetic reeds on the market. I've settled on Fibracell and now use them exclusively. Your mouth can be as dry as the Mohave Desert and you'll still be able to produce a decent sound with a synthetic. Certainly not a cure, but it will help while you're trying to find the cause.
Salvey
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-09-28 21:12
Thanks - I'm off to check with my GP in the near future - I was wondering about trying the synthetic reeds if all else fails.
I wonder how many folk actually do use them ??
Sue
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2003-09-29 03:17
Sue, I don't know if this has anything to do with your dry mouth problem, but you mentioned synthetic reeds. I have used Fibracell reeds on clarinet and sax and like them a lot. I still use cane too, but it's nice to have a synthetic handy to play without having to wet it, and they last a long time.
Leonard
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2003-09-30 15:32
Sue G,
Salvey said, in part--"I suggest that you leave no stone unturned in trying to find the cause of this condition."
But I say If you are trying to play "Strangers on the Shore" why not 'Leave No Tern Unstoned'
That ought to make your mouth water? Oh, you don't like groaners?
Bob A
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-10-01 10:37
I'm really tempted to buy a synthetic reed to try but wondering which one. I play a Noblet with Richard Hawkins student mouthpiece and vandoren V12 2.5 reeds currently. I'm not an experienced player.
Was thinking about the Fibracell soft-medium.
Would that be an OK choice ????
Thanks
Sue
:)
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-10-01 11:54
Sue G wrote:
> I'm really tempted to buy a synthetic reed to try but wondering
> which one. I play a Noblet with Richard Hawkins student
> mouthpiece and vandoren V12 2.5 reeds currently. I'm not an
> experienced player.
> Was thinking about the Fibracell soft-medium.
> Would that be an OK choice ????
I'm sure it's OK ... however
Richard was one of the early promoters of the Legere reed, so we know the the Legere works with his mouthpieces, too.
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-10-01 15:03
Thanks for that - I'll definitely consider the Legere ones too.
Should I be looking for the same strength in a plastic one as the cane Vandoren V12's I'm currently using ???
Thanks
Sue
:)
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Author: bp (F)
Date: 2003-10-02 16:42
I must confess... I did not read every mail above...
My teacher's advice to avoid dry mouth : to bite very slightly your tongue making the saliva come.
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Author: cujo
Date: 2003-10-03 05:47
I have two legere reeds. One for sax and 1 for clarinet. They seem to be just OK. Not a big deal or great sound. For the legere's price try out the much cheaper ones first to see if you like.
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Author: Sue G
Date: 2003-10-13 19:58
Just a note to thank you for your suggestions - I took the risk and bought a Legere reed which I'm finding pretty good. Maybe you do loose out a little on sound but I find it really useful to be able to just pick up and play !
Thanks
Sue
:)
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