 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alex M.
Date: 2006-08-02 14:42
I have heard many good things about the Fobes Debut mouthpiece for Bb, especially for beginners (like me). One think I have not seen discussed is everyone's experience with different ligatures and reeds on the Debut.
For those of you who play on a Debut mp, what ligature and reed combination do you use? What do you like or dislike about it?
Thanks, as always,
Alex
Alex M.
Massachusetts
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-08-02 14:59
i put beginning students on a Fobes Debut or a Vandoren 5RV-Lyre mouthpiece, with a Rovner Dark Ligature and a Vandoren Traditional #3 reed.
i prefer the rovners for students, especially the young ones, as they're pretty much indestructible. the kids are always banging into stands, chairs, each other, dropping stuff, etc., and its pretty much impossible to damage a rovner ligature.
some of my high school students use the fobes on the marching field, prefering to keep their good (expensive) mouthpieces inside. same setup, with a harder, usually #3.5 reed. some of them prefer a Bonade inverted ligature; one or 2 use a luyben, all get similar results.
good sound and intonation - easy mouthpiece to control. great for beginners. its really quite good for such a cheap mouthpiece. and the high school kids like them for marching , since if they do get damaged outside, its not very expensive to replace them.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-08-02 15:07
The Fobes Debut mouthpiece has a tip opening of 1.00 and is ideal for beginners because of the low resistance it offers.
The closer facing allows beginners to produce a pleasing sound without having to use an excessively hard reed or compensate by over blowing.
Young students, whose embouchure is still in the formative stages, usually have good success with a #2 1/2 or #3 strength reed. Every student's embouchure (jaw formation, teeth, bite, etc...) is unique and the teacher must tailor the mouthpiece/reed combo to match.
Any metal ligature (preferred) or fabric ligature would be fine...GBK
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Author: Alex M.
Date: 2006-08-02 15:14
What quick and on-point responses. Thanks!
Paul,
It's interesting that you note the 5RV Lyre as an alternative--that is what I am playing on now. I am using the Bonade inverted ligature. That's a whole separate thread, as it works fine for me, but I see that the concept of the ligature is to contact the reed only along the two rails and allow it to vibrate more freely. In practice, the horizontal bands contact the reed as well. I have thought about taking a pair of plyers to free up its grasp, but as a very new beginner, I have trepidation.
Paul or GBK,
How do you compare the 5RV to the Debut in terms of facing, opening, lay, etc.? Are they comparable in measurements, or just in ease for beginners even though their measurements differ?
Lastly, GBK, why do you prefer the metal ligature to the fabric? I spoke with my teacher about his view (he uses the Vandoren Optimum, but has tried nearly everything). His principal objection to fabric is that it can be difficult to remove quickly as it moistens and grips the MP. For quick reed changes or instrument changes in a concert setting, that could be a problem. Of course, I don't anticipate myself in those settings anytime soon. Also, at 34, I don't worry as much about careless bumping the way a middle school student might, so the metal ligature is not likely to take a beating. And for about $15, the bonade sure fits any budget.
Alex
Alex M.
Massachusetts
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-08-02 15:27
The 5RV mouthpiece has a tip opening of 106.5 so it would, in some respects, feel similar to the Fobes Debut.
Many feel that fabric ligatures dampen the upper partials and restrict the tone from "ringing". Again, all is subjective, and certainly there are many successful, well known clarinetists performing on fabric ligatures.
My thinking is that if a young student playing on a metal ligature can achive a vibrant, non-strident sound which has carrying power, a fabric ligature can always be used later to round out the sound, if necessary.
The Bonade ligature is an excellent choice (among many others) and allows the reed maximum vibration.
However, most Bonade ligatures need to be adjusted because the horizontal bands which encircle the mouthpiece make contact with the edge of the reed. This flaw defeats the original design and purpose of the Bonade ligature.
Someday (and we are still waiting), Leblanc will actually manufacture the Bonade ligature as it was intended to function.
Until then, each Bonade ligature should be sold with needle nose pliers ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) ...GBK
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Author: Alex M.
Date: 2006-08-02 15:43
Well, I'm glad that my experience with the Bonade is typical. Is the adjustment nothing more than taking some needlenose pliers to it? Is it delicate enough or precise enough that I should have a professional tinker with it?
Incidentally, my horn sounds bright as all get out, so I may give a whirl on a fabric ligature just to see the difference. I am mostly playing on Mitchell Lurie No. 3s, but am trying to step up to a Vandoren No. 3. I find the Luries much much brighter than the Vandorens. Not sure why that is...
Alex
Alex M.
Massachusetts
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-08-03 01:26
>In practice, the horizontal bands contact the reed as well.
thats the problem with most of them.
a well adjusted bonade is fine - yes, needle nose pliers - but go slow and be very careful. it might be best to have a teacher familiar with them adjust it for you. i think there are several threads on theis topic in the archivies - try searching for one.
thats why i prefer the rovners - hard to mess them up.
somewhat similar feel on the 2 mouthpieces- the debut is less than 1/2 the cost which is why i use it. plus, beginners get good results with the fobes- & they're very reed friendly. most of my beginners are 11 years old - so a cheaper mouthpiece is a good thing - as they're always dropping stuff, banging into music stands, etc. amazing how fast they tear up equipment.
>>Someday (and we are still waiting), Leblanc will actually ...
probably not in my lifetime ... and i plan to be around for decades yet...
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-08-03 07:38
"Many feel that fabric ligatures dampen the upper partials and restrict the tone from "ringing". Again, all is subjective, and certainly there are many successful, well known clarinetists performing on fabric ligatures."
You are right. My favorite clarinet player (I have about 15 CDs of him) plays a fabric ligature. He sounds brighter than most players. One of my favorite classical clarinet players also use a fabric ligature. She sounds brighter than most also. Of course this is also subjective....
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