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Re: Nova mouthpiece ligature reed combo

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-12-04 09:32

D'Addario is amongst the manufacturers who now feel that making mouthpiece dimensions available to the general public gets in the way of saying things like; orchestral sound, dark but quick articulation......etc. When I was at the Summer clarinet show, a rep was able to tell me that none of the Evolutions come with a tip opening as small as their X5 Reserve (which I used for spell). I decided it was not for me. I like smaller tip openings. I have liked all the Fobes Novas that I tried, and in fact own 3 Fobes mouthpieces (a 10K CF+, and two modified C12s).

All that to say that the Nova is a smaller facing than your Evolution and that could be your current challenge. The best way to quickly find where to place your embouchure for ANY mouthpiece is to play an open G (continually) as you take in more and more mouthpiece. Eventually you get to a point where you'll get an uncontrollable SQUAWK. Back off just slightly from there and that is the ideal point to place your embouchure. I'm guessing it will feel like you're taking in WAY too much mouthpiece........but that's ok (as long as you are producing a good sound...and not a squawk).

I would use a Vandoren V21 of either a strength 3 or a 3 1/2. But if you are not playing a lot, you may want to stick with something softer.

As for ligatures, the best all fabric Rovners (in my experience) is the Rovner Light. It allows much more vibration than the Dark and is one of the best ligatures out there bar none. If you want to step up without venturing too far, try the Rovner Versa. It features a metal insert, so you get the best aspects of the soft vs metal design. Oh, and I much prefer direct metal contact with the reed with that ligature so if you get one, tuck the leatherette flaps UNDER the insert so there is metal to cane contact.

If you want to try metal for a ligature, I'd suggest the BG Duo. Just one heck of a ligature!

..................Paul Aviles

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