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Re: Finding the right mouthpiece -- too many variables?

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-12-05 03:32

Trying new mouthpieces is a bit dicey. I had for years done as you refer and slapped on the best reeds I had to the new mouthpiece to make judgement. BUT you have to admit that all reeds (cane and plastic) become adapted to the mouthpiece you use, and the bends in the reed will NOT mesh ideally with a mouthpiece that has differences of tip opening and facing length.

One may begin as you describe to get some ballpark reading of what is happening, but then you should either introduce a brand new reed of acceptable strength or have the agreement that you can have a home trial period where you can break in reeds over the course of a few days (most ideal).

I will relate one story that changed my mind. I tried some of Brad Behn's mouthpieces at the Clarinet Symposium at Oklahoma some years ago.....with my most trusty reeds. It was fine but not outstanding. Brad took out a new reed that was the half strength softer than mine (observing that this combination should work better for me and the particular mouthpiece of his that I was playing). It was a game changing moment for me. The sound blossomed in ways that I had not thought possible. So yes, you should try to get past the idea of a "trusty reed" because the dimensions HAVE changed and it will not allow the new mouthpiece to start with a reed at a neutral configuration.

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

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