The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Matt S
Date: 2001-05-21 21:34
Besides protecting the mouthpiece can these pads help your embouchure or improve your sound? jw
Thanks in advance
Matt
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Author: Corey
Date: 2001-05-22 00:48
i used to use them and they didn't help my sound at all --i hated it--
------------->Corey
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Author: elise
Date: 2001-05-22 01:45
Well, I use them now because I can't go without them--I've become so used to it. There are a couple of reasons why I use them:
A) They protect your mouthpiece. I think we are all familiar with the tell-tale teeth marks on your mouthpiece if you play often without the pads. You'll scratch and dent--it might not affect sound but it is unattractive.
B) It helps me get a better grip on the mouthpiece, and I can take in a little more mouthpiece I've noticed.
They aren't a must--but they aren't expensive either...it's always worth a try. If you don't like it, it's just adhesive!
elise
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-05-22 15:52
I believe that they have absolutely no effect on the sound coming out of the instrument, but they certainly affect the sound perceived by the player, because the pads reduce the higher frequencies transmitted into the player's teeth, up through the jaw and into the ears. I feel that I get a better idea of my own sound when I'm using the pads (my favorites are the Charles Bay thin, clear pads). This was made apparent to me this past weekend when the pad came unglued off my crystal bass clarinet mouthpiece during a rehearsal just before a concert -- I had to play the concert on the 'bare' mouthpiece, and the extra apparent buzziness I sensed was quite annoying (not to mention the reduced grip of my vise-like embouchure on the mouthpiece). I know the buziness wasn't real, because I taped the concert and my sound was fine (all false modesty aside). I've been using these pads on all my mouthpieces for years, and now I hate to play without them.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2001-05-22 17:21
Once you play on pads for a while you'll never want to go back to bare hard rubber. (or metal or plastic.)
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2001-05-22 18:27
I use a very thin mouthpiece pad. I found that the thick ones actually seem to dull the tone a bit and I liked the tone with the thin ones. It does help prevent the mouthpiece from being too slippery at times and adds the benefit of protecting it from marks.
Also, if I buy a used mouthpiece (which I do a lot), I always use a thin mouthpiece pad on it just to "freshen" it up a bit.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2001-05-23 01:45
I don't know how I ever played without them since I started using them about two years ago, using the thicker ones. If they make playing more comfortable for you, then use them.
Meri
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Author: joevacc
Date: 2001-05-23 02:19
I just started using one a couple of weeks ago and I think I am going to continue to do so. They have helped me to keep my embouchure set. I am unable to tell right now if it has changed my sound, I haven't had time to record myself. If it has changed I don't think it's for the worst. I have the 3M brand (thin) right now and I like them but I am planing on trying the Bay pads (they were out of stock as most Bay items usually are).
Best,
-=[Joe Vacc]=-
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