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Re: Snorting Problem, Biting Problem, Air Leak?

Author: gwie
Date: 2017-04-05 06:36

Afterwards, you also might want to consider finding a much less resistant mouthpiece/reed strength combination, if you think that might be contributing to your problem.

Back in graduate school, I played a Vandoren M15 with V12 or RL56 reeds in 4.5 strength in order to get the sound that I wanted. I had to make a fairly massive physical effort in order to get it to work, and after I graduated I realized that I was having trouble keeping it all together past the second or third hour of playing each day. I was running into issues with air leaks, a tiny bit of snorting (though not as challenging as you describe in your situation), and general facial fatigue.

Brad Behn came to my rescue with a great mouthpiece that allowed me to achieve the sound that I imagined, but with much softer reeds. These days I play on Legere Signature European Cut 3.5 and Behn's Aria 3.5, which tend to run softer than their Vandoren and D'Addario counterparts. I am very comfortable with it and don't have to make a huge effort to make a big sound anymore.

Post Edited (2017-04-05 06:36)

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