 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2017-10-12 01:14
I just revised my practice technique. I sit now on a folding chair that does not allow my arms or elbows to rest on the desk chair arms.
I practice scales with lon notes. Then I play a song very slowly at maybe 60 beatsto allow time to finger difficult notes without rushing. This is working better but found when I go from an A4 to a B4 or C5 it squawks. I adjusted fingers and still squawked. Then I found I may be moving my lower lip (double lip embouchure) downward toward bell. That led me to ask exactly how to take in a breath....with nose, with mouth but through sides keeping center of lips on mouthpiece so not lose position, or some other way. Also I found I had reed slightly lower than mouthpiece edge and when I moved it up even it improved. Any agreement, disagreement, additions, tips would be appreciated.
Edit: And when not breathing there may be some finger position issues also.
Buffet E11 Crampon A Paris, Vandoren Lyre M13 MP, Rovner soft ligature, D'Addario Rico Classic reed.2.5
Post Edited (2017-10-12 01:46)
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-10-12 03:37
I personally think the M13 and a 2 1/2 reed is way too soft. You probably already know my feelings about Rico using pesticides on their reeds. They don't care if they kill you with pesticides. Use some other brand. You should be using about a 3 1/2 strength reed with an M13 or at least a hard 3. 2 1/2 reed strengths are for beginners with that close tip opening of a mouthpiece. A lot of players use 4 and 5 strength reeds with this stinky mouthpiece. Why is it stinky? It plays flat in the upper registers because it was made too long and the bore is too big. With a 2 1/2 reed check your pitch. I'll guess 15 to 20 cents flat. I'm sure your are playing fairly flat in the upper register. This will cause you to bite and create a poor embouchure. I would take a serious look at the new Selmer mouthpiece and also consider a switch to Vandoren reeds.
Rico cane pretty much dies. A 2 1/2 reed will often drop down to a 1 1/2 or even a 1 strength. You should consider a plastic reeds for consistency. Rico cane is perhaps the worst cane out of all of the reed companies. It collapses. It's good for about a day or 2.
Good luck...
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2017-10-12 03:39)
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-10-13 04:46
YES Rico uses PESTICIDES on all of their reeds. EVERY reed you put in your mouth has PESTICIDES on it. I am in a court battle with them and have turned down several out of court offers. They don't care. You should see what I've been through in the hearings! Their attorneys are blood sucking scary people. However, I'm still here fighting against them and I will never give up, nor go away. I'm not afraid of these people causing me such pain, 3 surgeries, and much more. I'm lucky to be alive. PESTICIDES CAN KILL. It can cause nerve damage, brain damage, all sorts of health issues. For now I am keeping my health issues quiet until the case is over.
I'll let you know when I win or settle out of court. I can write about this because they know it is true and I've been writing about this for many years. They have not tried to stop me. I got very sick when I worked there.
Send them a letter and tell them to stop.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
Post Edited (2017-10-13 05:10)
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2017-10-13 17:26
My suggestion, find an experienced teacher in your area. The best and only way to help you with improving is a one on one in real life. Pesticides, Bob says yes, they are used on just about everything we eat and put in our bodies today. For sure I'm not defending it, I'm just saying. I'm not questioning Bobs statements, I don't know. What I do know is that thousands of players all over the world use their reeds, have been for a long time. I myself have been using them for several decades and I'm a very healthy 78 year old after a 51 year career as a symphony musician. As far as your mouthpiece and reed size, it's different for everyone. If there was any single MP on the market that always played out of tune for everyone I doubt it would be on the market very long. One time one of the most respected repairmen in the world told me the reason I was playing sharp in my upper register was because of the mouthpiece I was using. I bought a new clarinet and the problem disappeared. No names but it was over 50 years ago. My advise, take lessons and experiment to find the "perfect" equipment for you, not for me or anyone else. And take lessons with a respected teacher.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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