 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: james
Date: 2002-08-13 09:55
Okay, I am definately a youngster who needs some help. I'm almost going to be eighteen so I really don't know much about the chedeville mouthpieces except they are sopposed to be really good and from what I also though, not being made anymore? I was on weiner's website and i saw under mouthpiece "chedeville" with a price of like 115 dollars. Can someone help me clear up my young confused mind by telling what ad on weiners is about and then a little bit about these mouthpieces (or shall i say the old ones that everone on ebay pay 500 for). Thanks alot!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-08-13 12:22
It is my understanding that the Weiner ones are merely a mouthpiece where somebody has bought the Chedeville name. They are in no way the legendary mouthpiece that is highly sought out. A couple of thoughts on the ebay ones (or others you may find). Unless you are a gambling man, you don't know what you are getting. I would be hesitant to pay $500 or more for something that you have never played. Some can be good, some lousy. Also many of them have be reworked and refaced over the years. Some are improved, some not. Of course, you can probably always resell it.
It would be best to try any mouthpiece before buying, or at least have the option to return it. Also, I know many people who love these legendary mouthpieces, and others who are completely indifferent. You have to find what is best for you, but don't buy something just for the name on it. It is no guarantee. There are many mouthpieces being made today by our top makers that are fantastic. Some are sponsors of this site. It would be worth checking those out as well. You have to take each mouthpiece on its own terms, they all vary.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-08-13 12:30
By the way- check the BBoard archives and Klarinet archives for info on these mouthpieces.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-08-13 14:20
Turn back NOW!
You will be better served to patronize living makers.
The truth is that some of these are gems, but it is a colossal undertaking that will detract from the important part of your study-
PRACTICE.
Fitting a mouthpiece is like buying boots for a trip to Khatmandu...
one size most definitely does not fit all.
Think you could dunk in Shaq's shoes?
Even a genuine, pristine example of the vintage stuff can suck.
Getting hooked on a rarity is the surest way to spend too much on a mouthpiece, time and again...
Larry Combs has alluded to the natural tendency you will have to a certain sound while playing, this can be modified only for short
periods, until you return to YOUR norm.
If you must pursue this fool's errand, find Dan Johnston or Chris Hill or the inestimable Dave Spiegelthal for a fitting.
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Author: William
Date: 2002-08-13 15:02
Not only Larry Combs, but also legendary mouthpiece maker Bernard Portnoy says that, "no matter whose mouthpiece you play, you will always sound like yourself, eventually." That is why it is most important that, as a young clarinetist who is serious about becoming good, you acquire a good mental concept of clarinet sound to guide your progress. Like tking a trip, you need to know where you are going. Listen to CDs, live concerts, more experianced players, whatever, until you discover a sound that you like. Any mouthpiece, that has a focused sound and responds well, will do. The sound you produce is really in your head--just practice until you achieve it. Don't waste your money and time relying on an expensive mouthpiece--Chedavelle, Kaspar, Whatever--to be a substitue for hard, meaningful practice and a firm mental concept of what is a good sound.
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-08-14 07:01
You might do good by trying the Vandoren M13 or M1315, they are designed to have the "Chedeville sound and feel. How close they come to the Chedeville I can't say, I've never played one. I do have an M13 that I realy like and you can't beat the price.
I'm playing regular Vandoren #4's on it. My last box, only two reeds were to soft, with just one being on the stiff side.
I'd be intrested to hear from someone who has both these mouthpieces.
Goodluck.
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-08-14 12:03
I'd like to recommend Greg Smith's mouthpieces. They are exceptional. (...AND he's still alive and will help you with them!) Check here for Greg Smith's link.
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Author: David Dow
Date: 2002-08-14 15:07
I agree with the thoughts that no matter the mouthpiece eventually you will sound the way you want to. The Chedeville line is famous for quality but what i have seen of the chipped ones on E Bay is a sure sign you will have to spend some money having them refaced or just simpoly be an unhappy customer....
Harold Wright of the Boston symphony has drawers full of these..I wonder where they went? I also remember another teacher who had about 500 or so mouthpieces from all over, but he said to me he prefered a Vandoren and didn't like all that crap in the desk. One day he gave them all away, and I, unfortuanately was not on the recieving end. He gave away Stowell Wells Kaspar, Gigliotti's , Leblanc K10s and Bays. He was happy with what he had and said bye bye with not a shred of remorse to all that stuff some would die for!
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Author: nzdonald
Date: 2002-08-14 21:28
the thing is, you do the search for the "perfect mouthpiece" so that you can STOP searching and just play..... some people manage to do this, others don't- they keep on searching because they have become addicted to the chase.....
....now, given that over time your mouthpiece may change, and YOU will certainly change, it's probably not always a good idea to play on the same mouthpiece for 60 years.... although some people do this quite happily....... it's probably also not a good idea to spend 60 years looking for "the perfect mouthpiece", some people also do this quite happily.
but it does pay to remember that sure, you will "sound like yourself" if you have good equiptment, but if you dont have good gear you may never sound as good as you could. For example, i recently swapped mouthpieces on the advice of a friend who thought one sounded better. Two concerts and an unhappy recording later i changed back, unhappy with the change, and found that again i could play how i wanted. These two mouthpieces were very similar, both from a Zinner blank, and both were "custom refaced" for me.
now, if i wasn't at least a little interested in messing around finding out what was best, i might still be using that other mouthpiece, or some other 'piece that didn't give me the freedom and result that i currently get. On the other hand- i probably will look around at Clarinetfest 2003 and see what else is around because, you know, i DO want to find the perfect mouthpiece..... (no, what i want is to know that if there's something out there that's good, i know about it so that i don't miss an oppertunity to sound BETTER)
so what is my point? get a good mouthpiece, try and be happy with it, don't imagine that it's the be all and end all of mouthpieces, don't forget that YOU are the one making the noise, you can change and adjust- the mouthpiece can't... so you do need something that works with "your way of getting the business done" if that makes sense.
but you guys know all this already anyway
have a good day
donald
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