 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CuriousClarinet
Date: 2011-11-21 22:46
Ever since I started playing clarinet, all of my mouthpieces get little grooves were my top teeth are placed. It doesn't really bother me, and if I use a mouthpiece patch it fixes the problem... I'm just wondering if my embouchure is wrong, because nobody else in my section's mouthpiece has teeth indentations.. Is it affecting my tone, playing ability, etc.? Or is really not that big of a problem?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-11-21 22:53
Purely aesthetic, though if you are wearing significant dents in a short period of time, you may need to stick to the patches just to be safe.
It's hard to believe there are no marks at all on the mouthpieces of your peers. Are they ALL using double lip?
..........................Paul Aviles
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Author: oca
Date: 2011-11-21 22:53
It is just the effect from the force from supporting your clarinet with mainly your right hand.
A neck strap relieves part of the pressure so you don't have to support as much with your hands, and because of that they are more relaxed.
The problem is that not many clarinets are fitted to accommodate a neck strap.
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Author: CuriousClarinet
Date: 2011-11-21 23:27
I doubt any of them are using double lip.. And maybe they do have slight indents, but nothing like mine. Not that I'm creating the next Grand Canyon or anything... but the other clarinet players have commented on it before... I've always just assumed it's from marching, because my 'marching' mouthpieces are the ones I notice it on, it's hardly recognizable on my concert mouthpiece. But the other clarinets act like it's the weirdest thing...
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2011-11-21 23:55
Use a file then increasingly fine grits of sandpaper to remove the indentations, clean and polish the beak, then use a mouthpiece patch where your teeth go. Problem solved forever.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-11-22 00:09
Are you taking lessons? If not, line up a teacher and take a few lessons. I'm totally against that much biting unless you have wicked sharp front teeth. If you don't have a teacher email me. I was an instructor at Kent State for about a year and also a York College. I'll give you some tips.
Some of the players may disagree with me, but email me anyway and them you can decide what works best for you. savagesax@aol.com
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2011-11-28 21:05)
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Author: CuriousClarinet
Date: 2011-11-22 00:36
I have a teacher, and although he does occasionally remind me to not bite, he's never mention teeth indents. But he's probably never noticed it. I've always thought that the marks on the top of the mouthpiece wasn't a sure sign of biting because it didn't necessarily indicate that the reed itself was being squished.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-11-22 02:25
It's not a problem at all. Some of us have sharp teeth and it means nothing. It is so much better to support with the top teeth than to bite on the reed. As a matter of fact, I advocate doing that on the bass clarinet to elevate any pressure on the reed. All the mouthpieces I've played in the past, clarinet and bass, have teeth marks on them. Up to about 6 years ago I never used a patch and it never created a problem. Now that I use a patch it took me 6 years to have to replace them because biting through them. Don't give it a second thought unless you use so much pressure that it hurts your teeth or gums. My the way, I'm a symphony player and very experienced teacher. ESP eddieclarinet.com
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
Post Edited (2011-11-22 21:10)
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2011-11-28 21:04
Hi All,
I had the same problem for years and once I asked my dentist about it. He said "let me take a look...." The verdict was that one of my front (my left, your right) teeth was a tad longer and decidedly sharper. I was constantly making a big crevasse in my rubber patches.
The fix: about 20 seconds with his drill, a little bite checking, and the problem was solved. I don't think he even charged me.
DO NOT TRY THIS AT HOME WITH A DREMEL!
HRL
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