 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Aeron
Date: 2000-11-12 16:43
Hello, I have been playing clarinet for six years. I am now in high school and would like to get more serious about it. I have a Selmar (the mouthpiece says Bundy--I don't know what that means). I learned how to play the instrument, but I don't know anything about reed sizes, different ligatures, and mouthpieces. I usually use a 2 or 2 1/2 Rico (just because I always have). Sometimes I use a plastic-coated reed, just becaus it looks cool. I was thinging about geting a new ligature, but I don't understand all these techno sounding words (xcrv1245 or whatever). If anyone has any advice it would be greatly appreciated.
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Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2000-11-12 21:18
Some of the woodwind sellers (International Music Supply, Woodwind & Brasswind, Weiner Music, etc, will allow you to test up to 3 mouthpieces at once. I'd suggest making a list of mouthpieces that interest you, and try them competitively against each other in order to make a selection. Pick one and play it for a few years, then try the process again to see if you can find a better one. To test mouthpieces you'll need a variety of reed stiffnesses. When you test a mouthpiece you'll need to try several reed stiffnesses until you find what each mouthpiece plays best with. Then you can compare the mouthpieces, using the proper stiffness reed for each mouthpiece. You'll need to use a soft ligature for testing mouthpieces so you don't scratch them. Rovner, BG, Luyben, are all popular. Reeds make a difference too. I think I'd pick the mouthpiece first, then test several brands of reeds (though you'll need a variety of stiffnesses in one brand of reeds at the outset in order to get through the mouthpiece testing), then if you still have energy and money you could try some ligatures. If you can find a music shop that has a variety of ligatures you might be able to test those in the store. I use a Gennusa mouthpiece, Gloten reeds and Rovner ligature with a Moenig barrel.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2000-11-13 02:30
Get a couple of mouthpiece pads, and put them on two places:
At the "beak" and where the ligature crosses opposite the reed. This will prevent scuffing.
Put the same question to your teacher, they're close enough to listen to your playing with some discretion.
Check out the Legere composite reed, not quite a good piece of cane, but better than the Plasticover or Fibracel for response and tone quality.
(Get one stronger than your standard reed strength, they go soft when warm.)
Anji
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