 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: crampy
Date: 2010-05-01 04:43
Regarding selecting mouthpieces, I would appreciate your advice.
Let me preface this by acknowledging that in an ideal world my teacher/an experienced musician would help me choose a mouthpiece, but it's not possible. I've only been playing for 2 yrs, & on a Yamaha 250 with 4C mpc.
Recently went to a shop to try some mpcs (as dropped the 4C) - very limited option here in places to try them and I'm not aware of anywhere in Aus. lending/posting them for trial periods.
They had a Clark Fobes San Francisco CF+ (which was comfortable to blow and had a very nice tone), & some Vandorens (45, 5RV and I think an M13) which were so-so to like blowing thru wet cardboard. Was using a 3 Rue Lepic reed.
I left bummed out by my limitations in being discriminating enough to know what to do. Had read section in a book about steps to go thru picking a mpc. I liked the Clark Fobes one. Thinking that maybe should just do nothing and go back to the shop in 6 months or whatever. Any tips would be appreciated.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2010-05-01 11:39
Having a good mouthpiece can make a huge difference. It is more important than having a top instrument. The Fobes is a very fine mouthpiece. It would be a great choice. I have played Clark's mouthpieces for years and am very happy with them.
Post Edited (2010-05-01 14:56)
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2010-05-01 14:51
Fobes SF CF+ is my very favorite "stock" (i.e., not custom-made directly for you by the maker -- think $$$) clarinet mouthpiece.
If they were available, I could also suggest you try the Fobes "Nova" or Fobes "Debut", which are essentially built like (and respond like) the San Francisco, but at a fraction of the cost. The San Fran is clearly the most refined of the three, and the "Debut" the least-refined, with the Nova somewhere in between.
I tried the "Debut," and thought I'd died and gone to heaven. Then I upgraded to the "Nova," and found it was actually better. So of course, I HAD to keep going and get the San Francisco, too. It's the best. But any of the three would be a big step toward what you are looking for, IMO.
Susan
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2010-05-01 15:12
Is the store incapable of ordering what you'd like for you? If you haven't asked I suggest that you see whether they would. You could have them order several different products and see what is best for you.
I don't play Clark's mouthpieces, but many of my students do and it may be worth the money for you.
I agree with Ed that a great mouthpiece has a huge impact on the ease and facility with which you play. Worth every penny when you find the one for you!
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-05-01 17:44
You said the Fobes you tried was comfortable and had a good tone, buy it. Chances are you will change MPs several times over the years. As you improve and your concepts change you begin looking for something else. At this stage in your playing it sounds like a decent purchase. Although I've been using the same clarinet mouthpiece now for about 20 years, and have used a previous one for about the same amount of time in the past, I've change MPs about 6 times in my career and at least that many times as a student until I found what I liked. That, and this last time, were the times I used a MP for about 20 years. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-05-01 18:03
If you like it and it p[lays well for you, don't mess around with other mouthpieces....get it!
Jeff
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Author: crampy
Date: 2010-05-01 20:21
Thanks to everyone for their replies and opinions.
I'll get it.
:)
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Author: pewd
Date: 2010-05-02 04:25
>I liked the Clark Fobes one.
Nothing else matters. You liked it, buy it.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: TianL
Date: 2010-05-02 19:38
yeah i agree with everyone else. if the feel is good and sound is good to you, that's about everything that matters!
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