 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-12-05 14:24
Hi everyone,
I conduct and play bass clarinet in the clarinet ensemble at my high school, and this year we have a new grade 10 member. She plays slightly flat, with a very airy tone- sometimes I can hear more air than note, when I can hear her at all. She plays on a Buffet B12 with a Rico Royal Graftonite mouthpiece. From reading about this mouthpiece on this BBoard, I know how bad it is. I've talked to my band director about it, and told her that I have a mouthpiece that I never use that I could lend to this girl for the rest of the year, so she could see what a difference a new mouthpiece can make.
So, my question is, will a new mouthpiece be a drastic improvement? The mouthpiece I would let her use is a hard rubber Sumner Acousticut which I don't really know anything about. I want to make sure the mouthpiece will make enough of a difference that she won't be discouraged from the clarinet anymore, like I think she might be getting now.
Thanks!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-12-05 15:13
The only way to know is to try. That said, it is very important that the reed matches the mouthpiece to work properly. It is crucial that her fundamentals are all solid, ie- she is using a good embouchure, taking enough mouthpiece, etc. I would check that she has all of the above in order. If not, it doesn't matter, she can sound bad on the best mouthpiece available. She may have some issues that can be corrected that are not in the mouthpiece.
Good Luck!
Post Edited (2009-12-05 21:46)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2009-12-05 19:34
Having now bought and played Rico Royal Graftonite's for Alto sax, Sop sax and Bb clarinet I don't understand the reported badmouthing.
Bob Draznik
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2009-12-06 00:36
I am with Bob D here. The RR Graftonite is a fine mouthpiece. Sure, it's not a custom job or a Kasper or anything, but IMO, it's not the reason your colleague is having issues.
The Sumner is a fine mouthpiece too, and yes, it's "better" than the RR, but that _in and of itself_ does not mean the sound will improve.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-12-06 03:02
Hi,
I play the RR Graftonite B5 on tenor for concert work and an M5 for shows and jazz gigs. I've not tried them on clarinet but RRs are my backups on alto, bari, and soprano sax. For the price I can't believe how well they work for me.
HRL
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2009-12-08 14:56
I would have her try the Yamaha plastic stock mouthpiece, which is available in any musical instrument store and at least used to cost around $20. It's a reliable, middle-of-the-road choice that anyone can play.
For around $30, she can get the considerably better Fobes Debut model, which is available from any mail order supplier.
Ken Shaw
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