 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2006-12-13 11:57
i just rcvd 2 new mouthpieces. im finding it hard to decide what one is best and how to go about it.
after i try one, i have to remember how it sounded and how it felt, then switch to the next one and compare. not that my memory is that short ...but....
what should i be looking/listening for? they all seem good. an now that i have something to compare, even my old is right up there with them.
how does the reed ligature combination effect things?
what if i try a mouthpiece and its ok, but with a simple change of reed it could be great? how do i know what the perfect combination is?
im probably going to keep the 2 new mouthpieces and the old - just for the fact that i cant discern a huge difference between them. they all have features i like.
any tips? thanks
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Author: Merlin
Date: 2006-12-13 13:46
Keep both, so you have a backup piece.
NEVER do a gig without a backup!
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2006-12-13 14:01
Brad Behn's web site has a pretty good introduction to how one goes about selecting a mouthpiece:
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/selecting_mouthpiece.asp
Unfortunately, I do not think one can know if a mouthpiece truly works unless one opens a brand new box of reeds, adjust them to the mouthpiece, and play the mouthpiece for an extended period of time. Doing immediate A/B comparison testing is in my opinion not very useful, as you can't really feel how the mouthpiece responds. I have bought mouthpieces that felt great when first tested that I later discarded because they did not respond the way I liked after I got used to playing them. I know many other players share this experience with me.
It sounds to me that none of the stuff you have tried significantly improves and/or feels different than what you currently have. My friendly advice to you is to save yourself some money, stick to your current setup, and forget about mouthpieces for as long as possible
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-12-13 14:32
You are not alone. Your quandry is ours and the reason we each have so many mouthpieces. In addition, the mp that doesn't do so well on your current clarinet may do better on the next one.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-12-13 14:42
I don't keep a mpc unless it does something spectacularly different from my current mouthpiece.
I just poked a Lee Livengood 'piece into my face and had the altissimo pop-out. It greatly improved my confidence, so I kept it. WOW
Bob Phillips
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2006-12-14 18:00
I've found that I usually have to play a mouthpiece for a while under rehearsal and concert conditions before I really know whether it's a "keeper" or not. How it works for me in a tense situation, say a solo, is usually one of the factors I'm looking at. The intonation is another VERY important thing. Does it play well in tune up and down the scale, or is it all over the place in the altissimo? Obviously, if it has flaws in intonation it is not going to be a keeper. Does it help you to achieve the sound you're wanting? These are some of the factors that help me to decide. If you can afford to keep both, keep both.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2006-12-14 18:40
Here's a tip. Find a duet partner. Play some duets. Choose one of the mouthpieces. Make an executive decision. If you really can't decide then pick one and send the other to me. I'll keep it for a few years and then send it back to you. Everything will be clear to you at that time. ...good luck .....John ps. seriously, testing mouthpieces in a duet,trio or ensemble usually gives you a different perspective than just testing it unaccompanied.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2006-12-27 09:39
> im probably going to keep the 2 new mouthpieces and the old ...
If you've got the cash...! :-) But that's what I had to do last time I tested a batch.
Like the guys above have said, you'll find out which is the right one in the heat of battle...
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2006-12-27 15:45
Apparently Henry Lazarus couldn't decide either...he kept over 80 on hand.
Even I have eight...and a cute little case to keep'em in!
Clarinet Redux
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Author: kev182
Date: 2006-12-28 13:19
When testing a mouthpiece you need to look for a variety of things, intonation, consistency, sound and general comfort. Play the same things with every mouthpiece i.e. a Slow chromatic scales with a tuner checking for pitch and consistence in sound, some famous pieces your familiar with. Also it really helps if you have someone listen to you.
but to honestly know how you will work with a mouthpiece...it would take me minmum 2 weeks if not longer breaking in reeds and practicing on it.
GL!
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Author: William
Date: 2006-12-28 14:53
"Keep both, so you have a backup piece".
Good advice. While in college, I was testing these two mouthpieces that my college teacher gave me to try out and couldn't make up my mind which one to buy. So I decided to purchase both (expensive for me, $20.00, at that time) and use the one with the "wilder" sound. I still use that mouthpiece and six years ago sold the second one for $500.00.
They were both Chicago Kaspar 14s.
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