 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ffrr
Date: 2005-03-29 01:03
Plenty of advice I have read for beginners is to get a better mpc than the one that comes with their instrument, so I decided to upgrade mine (although I knew I could not get a red one to match my red Vito's colour:-)).
I visited my local music store and they only had one type - Hite Premiere, but they were reasonably priced, so I purchased one. It's good to read here that they are considered to be a good choice (also sad to read that David Hite is no longer with us).
My experience with one practice session is that it is a definite improvement. I find the pitch is more stable for notes like F in the throat tones. I think the facing is shorter than the original Vito, and maybe that is helping.
I am using the Rico #2 reeds I had been using before, but I read that the mpc is better suited to Vandoren #3 - quite a bit harder. I have a couple of Vandoren #2 somewhere - that's a little harder, so I must try them. If it's a step in the right direction, I can work up to the #3's.
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-03-29 02:43
I used a hite premiere for awhile before upgrading to a Hite model D...I am planning on buying a Walter Grabner MP (maybe a C11). I loved my Hite. it made a significant improvement after the MP that came with my Bundy plastic clarinet. Good luck with your nice, new MP!!
-Lindsie
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2005-03-29 12:01
I've had several of my middle school and high school students play on Hite Premiere mouthpieces, with very good results. The mouthpiece is certainly a "best buy", good quality control and a very servicable facing. The facing, however, is somewhat less open than most mouthpieces marketed toward young students. Not a problem.
I had a panic attack learning that ffrr is playing one with Rico #2's! My students are using V-12 #3-1/2 reeds with good results on the Premiere; it also works well with the blue box Vandoren #4's.
Now, about that red Vito.......
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Author: ffrr
Date: 2005-03-29 22:05
"I had a panic attack learning that ffrr is playing one with Rico #2's! My students are using V-12 #3-1/2 reeds with good results on the Premiere; it also works well with the blue box Vandoren #4's. "
I find that the effort to play with the Vandoren #2 is significantly greater that the Rico #2 - and that fits with info I have read that the Vandoren's are harder. As I haven't been learning long, I find that I tire after a while, especially my mouth muscles, and the harder reeds make that happen even sooner. So, whilst the harder reeds may suit the mpc better, I think I will have to work up to them slowly. Because I find the Vandoren #2 a bit too hard just yet, I haven't even purchased a #3 to try it.
How long does a raw beginner take to develop the muscle tone needed to play a Vandoren #3 or higher?
(and the red Vito was value for money at the seconhand store, as, I guess, nobody wanted a red one :-) )
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2005-03-29 22:28
ffrr,
Sorry if I appeared to disrespect you; I didn't have a clue until now what your level of clarinet experience is. Certainly your Vandoren #2 is an improvement over the Rico; I hope that you will continue to progress to a reed strength that will allow you to produce the optimium sound on your very good mouthpiece!
If your basic embouchure and air support are fundamentally sound, it shouldn't take you long to progress to a #3 reed. Remember that you won't make much progress toward that goal if you are pandering to yourself by playing an "easy" setup! I hope that you have a teacher who can help you develop a good embouchure.
Do they play with inverted mouthpieces "down under"?
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Author: ffrr
Date: 2005-03-29 23:44
"Do they play with inverted mouthpieces "down under"?"
No, but I've been known to put my ligature on upside down :-)
On reed strength, I have been pondering whether to try for something harder, and I guess now I have a reason. When I started (3 weeks ago approx.) a half hour practice was hard to accomplish. Now I manage a good hour before becoming fatigued.
So, maybe time to move up a step...
As for a good teacher, I am teaching myself, so the answer is no, I don't have one - except the good people on this board.
As I mentioned in my first message, I find this new mpc doen't produce as much pitch variation as the one that came with the Vito. Maybe that indicates a weak embouchure. I imagine the stronger reeds will also resist pitch variation, so maybe another reason to step up.
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