 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Andre
Date: 2002-03-30 23:50
I finally decided to buy a handmade mouthpiece. My choices are down to Richard Hawkins, Gregory Smith, and Ralph Morgan. The problem is that I have to order them separately from each of them. That will be quite a work and it will very difficult to get them shipped to here at the same time to compare side by side(trial is usually about a week long). So i am thinking maybe i should pick just one and stick with it, since all three of them must be very good?? I am worried about doing that because people told me one that works for someone might not work for me at all. Will it turn out that the other two might have been better for my taste, and i would regret buying the other two?? Need some advice here. Thanks in advance.
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Author: Corey
Date: 2002-03-31 01:00
Most of all the clarinetists on here would probably recommend the Greg Smith (although i have not tried any of them)
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Author: Carmen izzo
Date: 2002-03-31 01:27
Greg Smith mouthpieces are indeed great (although i cant remember the one kind i happened to try). However, My standard harkins model is comin along just fine!!
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-03-31 01:30
Dear Andre,
I am not sure that there is one best mouthpiece or one best custom mouthpiece maker for everyone. I have a lot of mouthpieces - from all the above makers and others. Gregory Smith, Richard Hawkins, Clark Fobes, Morgan, etc. (I can not mention them all) are all artists in their own right and the right mouthpiece is the one that plays best for you. Whenever I try out mouthpieces I keep a log - I try to play the same set of scales and test the range and sound of each one (go so far as to record it and play it back). I put them all away and repeat the same test the next day ( I do not even look at the number or facing designation until after I write down my notes in the log). Good luck in your quest.
The Doctor
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-03-31 01:40
You may try speaking with each artist. They may be able to help you determine some of this just by the contact. Compare with what you are using now to theirs (facing, reeds, type of mpc, etc.)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-03-31 01:41
Corey...Please post the number of clarinetists in your study sample, their level of playing ability, years of experience, and the other mouthpieces compared in your very definitive research analysis of this topic.
I'm sure "Most of all the clarinetists on here" (your words) would enjoy reading of your very detailed research project.
Very broad statements about others' preferences are frought with danger - especially by one who has not tried or is not familiar with the mouthpieces in discussion...GBK
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Aside to Greg Smith: no disrespect intended to your or your fine work, as well as that of Ralph Morgan and Richard Hawkins.
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Author: Martin
Date: 2002-03-31 02:15
I don't think it necessary to correct another's misstatement with shaming and pomposity. It is also f-r-a-u-g-h-t with danger...
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-03-31 04:14
How much does a mouthpiece cost?
How much difference can it make?
How quickly can you assess one for use in different circumstances?
Can you truly make up your mind 'til you've had time to get used to their individual characteristics?
Buy all 3 and, if you really don't like one, you can always try to sell it on later.
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Author: Gregory Smith
Date: 2002-03-31 04:15
If one is truly serious about comparing several handmade mouthpieces simultaneously and finding the best fit for them - they will find a way to do so. There is no substitute in this kind of an evaluation process that I know of.
Gregory Smith
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Author: Bob Arney
Date: 2002-03-31 13:17
David, that comes from the Prelude to "Kandahar--Waltzing Through a Mindfield", in CMinor.
Bob A
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Author: Forest Aten
Date: 2002-03-31 21:48
Andre,
Take as much time as you possibly can when going through this mouthpiece selection process.
I would recommend that you take the time and try all of your candidate mouthpieces. They all have something to offer and one may work better than another for you. If you don't try them all...you'll never really know.
I have played on Cicero, Kaspars for over 30 years. I have over 100 of them on a mouthpiece board. 30 of these I consider top quality professional level mouthpieces...the others very good.
After Kaspar died there was a period where finding a great mouthpiece, one with "the magic", was difficult. But the situation (finding a great mouthpiece) has changed a lot in the past 5 or so years. The change has been good for clarinet players!!
In recent years I have played on first rate mouthpieces by Clark Fobes, Michael Lomax and most recently by Greg Smith. I parked my very good Kaspar bass clarinet mouthpiece three years ago when I found out what a great mouthpiece Fobes was making for bass. One of my professional friends uses one of Clark's clarinet mouthpieces and everyone always comments about his wonderful sound. I use Lomax's mouthpieces on both my Eb and C clarinets. Solid sound, great response and very good intonation. I most recently starting using Greg Smiths wooden mouthpieces on both my A and Bb clarinets. I had several students at the university select Greg's hard rubber version just this past month and they love them! Mouthpieces all play a little bit differently. It took me several weeks to figure out reeds, barrels and ligature combinations for the Smith mouthpieces...but once I had done this work...Wow!
I continue to use my Kaspar's but am very excited about having options...and very good options available. I hope all of these makers and others continue to do the great job they are doing. While I'm set in the mouthpiece department...all players need and deserve the very best equipment available.
I believe players have many great options currently. It just takes time to find that special mouthpiece....and a little extra money for shipping those mouthpieces that don't work out back to the source.
Take your time...develop a plan and enjoy the process.
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