 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2019-03-11 03:53
I know, I know: Yet another query about appropriate mouthpieces for beginners.
I'm an adult newbie learning on my mom's Selmer Bundy Resonite from (I think!) the 1950s, which has a Selmer Goldentone mouthpiece that may also be vintage. The mouthpiece appears to be in decent shape, but I'm wondering if an upgrade to, perhaps, a Clark Fobes Debut would be in order.
I've been playing on this setup since I started learning in January. I'm having a lesson tomorrow and will ask my teacher, but since I've been lurking around this forum know that you fine people have "opinions." Just want to make sure my mouthpiece isn't holding me back from sounding the best I can at this early stage.
I'm in southern Ontario, Canada, and my local music store doesn't have much of a selection to try before I buy, so I'm thinking of ordering a safe bet online instead.
Many thanks --
Beth
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2019-03-11 04:30
Beth, let's wait and see what your lessons teacher says tomorrow. If they think you need an upgrade, they may also have one or several mouthpieces on hand for you to audition during a lesson.
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2019-03-12 01:10
Well, my teacher was pretty non-committal. He didn't have an opinion on the Goldentone one way or the other, but said that if I wanted to try some other mouthpieces to compare he was pretty sure that the local music store carried a Rico mouthpiece, along with some Vandorens. He didn't seem to think a change was in order, though.
That said, I went to the music store after my lesson to poke around. They had a plethora of Carlton (??) mouthpieces, one lonely Rico, and two Vandoren B45s. Period.
Maybe I'm jumping the gun thinking about upgrading so early in my playing career. (I do like shiny new tools and am incredibly tempted by the Fobes Debut.) I'd thought I'd read lots of disparaging things about the Selmer Goldentone here and elsewhere, though, so thought I'd ask.
Is the Goldentone considered a brick or a decent-enough mouthpiece for a squawky beginner?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2019-03-12 02:04
Goldentones, like several other original equipment mouthpieces, are more inconsistent than anything else. At best, they're adequate. At worst they're unplayable. I assume if you're playing on it that it isn't the worst case.
> Just want to make sure my mouthpiece isn't holding me back from
> sounding the best I can at this early stage.
If your teacher is a knowledgeable clarinetist and thinks your Goldentone is good enough not to be interfering with your forming basic skills, then replacing is strictly optional. The Debut would be an excellent choice. So would one of the more vanilla Vandorens or D'Addarios (the Ricos redesigned and renamed). But if you wait until you have an actual reason - something you can't do easily after trying to develop your own technique to achieve it - you'll have the basis for making a better choice.
Karl
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Author: Ken Lagace
Date: 2019-03-12 02:24
The Fobes Debut would be good choice. If the teacher doesn't like it, there would be many here interested in it. It would also a good education for you to give other mouthpieces a try. Now you wouldn't even know what to look for.
And none of my fabulous old Kaspars, Lelandaises, Chedevilles, Ridenours, and more are shiny :=)
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Author: RKing
Date: 2019-03-12 16:45
You sure dredged up some memories for me. I learned to play clarinet on an old Bundy with the infamous Selmer Goldentone in 1963.
When I came back to the clarinet a few years ago after playing saxophone for many years, I had to redevelop my clarinet embouchure and I learned there are much better options for returning newbies. I thrashed around with an old Goldentone for a couple of days (not my original one), then I bought a Fobes Debut from the local music store and that took care of my issues.
If you can get a Fobes Debut or a Behn Overture, I think you will have a more consistent mouthpiece that should allow you to develop your embouchure naturally and focus on learning how to play and enjoy the instrument.
Ron
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2019-03-12 17:13
Did your teacher play your Goldentone? He should at least do this to determine if there are any major issues with it that could hold you back.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2019-03-12 17:59
Mojo wrote:
> Did your teacher play your Goldentone? He should at least do
> this to determine if there are any major issues with it that
> could hold you back.
>
No, he didn't. And he doesn't seem to know tons about equipment options. I gather that, although he teaches, he's more of a performer than an educator. (Trying to be diplomatic, and am supplementing what he presents in lessons with Michelle Anderson and other online gleanings.)
I
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2019-03-12 18:09
@RKing: Using my mom's old clarinet to learn on is helping me feel connected to her. Mom died in 2000, but was a music major at UCLA in the 1950s and used this clarinet. (I also have her piano -- she was a fine pianist -- but we will not speak of my lack of progress in learning that instrument.)
I pulled the trigger last night and ordered the Fobes Debut. Even with the exchange to Canadian dollars and shipping, it should cost significantly less than an M13 Lyre, etc. (I trust I won't get dinged by Customs.) I'm really looking forward to trying it!
I really appreciate everyone's input -- thanks!
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2019-03-12 19:39
Beth, I think you're going to be very pleased with your new Fobes Debut. I've play-tested the Debut on a Bundy 1400 like yours, and it's quite a delightful combination.
With good reeds and a good ligature, you'll be set for success!
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Author: RKing
Date: 2019-03-14 01:25
Beth,
Congrats on the new mouthpiece!
My parents were both very supportive of my musical endeavors and I still have the family piano.
I don't want spend your money, but learning the piano will pay big dividends down the road. I spent eight years on piano lessons from grade school through high school and the knowledge helped a lot in my career.
Cheers,
Ron
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2019-03-14 03:01
RKing wrote:
> I don't want spend your money, but learning the piano will pay
> big dividends down the road. I spent eight years on piano
> lessons from grade school through high school and the knowledge
> helped a lot in my career.
Thanks, Ron, but the piano-playing ship has probably sailed. (Not ruling it out entirely, though!) My goal is to become good enough on the clarinet that I can join a community group of some sort.
For now, I know enough piano that I can plunk out alto and soprano parts for choir.
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