 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: claren11
Date: 2004-07-23 14:30
Do mouthpieces need to be replaced after several years because of wear?
My high school daughter has been using a hand finished mouthpiece for several years and has asked for a new one. She has an audition in a week and thinks a new mouthpiece would give her a better sound.
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Author: Ralph G
Date: 2004-07-23 14:42
I've only actually replaced mouthpieces when I've broken them -- although I've switched mouthpieces a few times simply because I wanted to try something different.
Stanley Drucker, principal clarinet of the New York Philharmonic, has been playing on the same mouthpiece for decades.
It is possible for mouthpieces to wear out over many years or even change dimensions to where it plays with difficulty, but if it continues to play well, there's no real reason to replace it -- unless your daughter has new mouthpiece fever (which all of us here have had at some point). Proper care can make them last indefinitely.
________________
Artistic talent is a gift from God and whoever discovers it in himself has a certain obligation: to know that he cannot waste this talent, but must develop it.
- Pope John Paul II
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Author: Clarinetist
Date: 2004-07-23 14:53
Steve,
It is possible, But if a mouthpiece is kept properly, it might last a lifetime. A hard rubber mouthpiece can wore out, but you don´t necessarilly need to buy a new one. A good repair technician can grind the rails back to smooth, so that you can use it again. So, you can take it to a repair tech and have it worked out. Your daughter might also be fed up with her mouthpiece, so if you want, you can let her look a new one for herself.
good luck!
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2004-07-23 15:54
Most clarinet players frequently think that the "grass will be greener with the mouthpiece on the other side of the fence".
Sometimes it is, but not often. That is why many of us have drawers full of old mouthpieces.
The best way to select a new mouthpiece is to find a seller that will let you have a trial period before you buy it. Only your daughter will know whether it's working better for her.
John
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-07-23 17:39
Stan Drucker of the NY Phil has played on the same Chedeville Lelandais mouthpiece for ages...he has had it refaced a few times though.
David Dow
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Author: ron b
Date: 2004-07-23 18:35
You've probably heard the old saying, Claren, about 'changing horses in mid stream'.
The above posts give ample reason(s) why I would not advise anyone to change their setup, or anything else, only a week before an audition.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
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Author: Burt
Date: 2004-07-23 23:55
I used the same hard rubber mouthpiece for 50 years with no problem - then I switched because I found a better one.
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