 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: allencole
Date: 2022-08-31 09:37
The proprietor of a store where I teach was asking for advice on obtaining D'Addario Reserve mouthpieces in bulk. It seems that one middle school's band director is requiring 6th grade beginners to start out with Reserve x5's and Bonade ligatures. A student of mine has been told that the individual is a brass player.
Sax players are supposed to get C*'s & Rovner ligatures. I can understand the Rover ligatures because they won't get misshapen when you drop them on the floor. But seeing an x5 or a C* with its rails all scuffed up or with a chip in the end might very well make me cry. I think a month or so of lessons would be a better investment, but that's just me...
Allen Cole
Post Edited (2022-08-31 09:49)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2022-08-31 13:51
God save us from brass playing band directors!!!!
I completely agree with you on the lessons. If you want to get involved, you may try to have a heart to heart with that director and propose that he at very least, allow for private instructors to determine the needs of the individual wind players. He may just be wanting equipment to start players off (though I'd choose differently for the clarinet and find the Rovner ligatures a better choice). But yes, if some of that funding is capable of being diverted to private instruction, that would be a better use of those funds.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2022-08-31 21:44
I recommended Yamaha 4C student mouthpieces for beginning sax players, and for the school saxes. Excellent for the cost and widely available.
Steve Ocone
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2022-09-01 01:40
For absolute beginners, a Clark Fobes Debut mouthpiece ($31) or a Brad Behn Overture piece ($40) would be a nice touch on their clarinet. At about $100, the Reserve X5 is an unnecessary expense. After players have found their way around the clarinet, they can start looking for more personalized selections.
And, yes, spending money on private lessons is more productive than worrying about equipment selection at those early stages. Even as players advance, many will find the Fobes and Behn entirely adequate for their needs. Both models are mainstream, reed-friendly, easily voiced, and quick in response.
Reasonably experienced players in a school band should not be straight-jacketed into using the same mouthpieces, but to offer beginners an entry-level Fobes or Behn is to give them a big improvement over the mediocre mouthpieces provided with most beginner instruments. The Fobes Debut and the Behn Overture usually come with a 1.05 mm tip opening, just as the Reserve X5 does. For beginners, that can be a Goldilocks facing--neither too close nor too open, but just about right.
Post Edited (2022-09-01 02:32)
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2022-09-06 04:51
Attachment: Bach 1.jpg (252k)
Attachment: Bach 2.jpg (228k)
I find it kinda ironic about brass players.
being also a cornet and french horn player,
I've found brass players can be more crazy about mouthpieces. In the older days the variations per one make/model mouthpiece is insane compared to a woodwind's mouthpiece.
For Trumpet/Cornet a particular Bach mpc had 60 variations. yes, SIXTY. i've attached some of the info of what goes into the design of a brass mpc.
==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
Post Edited (2022-09-06 04:54)
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Author: allencole
Date: 2022-09-06 09:43
LOL! I spent about 15 minutes a few weeks ago listening to trombonists talking moutpieces, and it made my head swim!
Allen Cole
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