 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: hpadi
Date: 2007-09-18 03:49
I am learning to play the clarinet and I would like to buy few new accessories to better my instrument.
I would like to know if any of the members can suggest to me a good mouthpiece and explain what is the facing.
I am also planning to buy a new ligature. I liked very much the BG Revelation and the BG Tradition. What can you comment?
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Author: pewd
Date: 2007-09-18 04:13
a fobes 'debut' mouthpiece works well for beginners
don't get too fancy with equipment until you have 4,5 years of experience
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-09-18 06:45
if you like the bg ligs, definitely get the super revelation gold plated version. brings out the sound very nice and full.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-09-18 11:50
Facing refers to the surface of the mouthpiece against which the reed vibrates. That is, the reed sits on the table; at a key point the flat surface of the mouthpiece begins to curve away from the reed until it terminates at the tip. So this area is usually looked at in two key ways, the "tip openning" and the "length of the lay," or the distance of the curve from the point the reed and mouthpiece part company until it terminates at the tip. This is a crictical area because there are many different curve types that can be superimposed on this space even if you have the same "length of lay" and the same "tip openning."
Players are divided into two camps between those who prefer a longer lay and those who prefer a shorter lay. Once in one camp, you never revert to the other....usually.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: hpadi
Date: 2007-09-18 12:56
Paul, thank you very much for your response to my posting.
Now that I understand, what the mouthpiece facing is; is there a particular mouthpiece you can recommend to me. I have a USA Selmer mod. 1400 and I would like to stay with the same brand unless there is a good reason to pick another brand.
I know I am just starting to play and perhaps I should wait a bit more, however I am a believer that you get what you pay for and if I can make my already low end piece a bit better for me is worth it the improvement. I also read to be careful or better yet, aware that if you do not produce a clear tone or if you get a squeaky sound not to blame your embouchure. It may be the mouthpiece, the reed, or the ligature. Therefore, I am working on eliminating as many variables as I can. Please argue with me on any of these points.
Thank you, Henry Padilla
Post Edited (2007-09-22 18:15)
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Author: hpadi
Date: 2007-09-18 13:06
I want to thanks pewd, c2thew and Paul Aviles for their responses to my posting they were all very helpful.
I am glad that I found this website forum. I have been reading some topics and I like the smart and educated responses posted here. Once again thank you for your time and responses.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2007-09-18 13:39
Recommending a particular mouthpiece is kinda sorta like telling someone which is the best breakfast cereal. You need to find that out for yourself. However, if you have access to a shop that will let you try out a bunch of mouthpieces at little or no extra cost, you could start by looking at the Vandoren line. There are a ton of different facings and they are comparatively inexpensive (between $65 and $80). One could easily spend $300 on a worse mouthpiece (I'll leave brand name out here).
The 5RV (non Lyre) is a shorter facing opposed to the M15 which is a longer facing.
I like the M15 and the M13 (non lyre) but again, these are things one must find out on an individual basis.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-09-18 19:45
If yoou have a teacher, it would be best to go with recommendations from that person, as he/she will be more familiar with what particular type of mouthpiece might suit you best.
If you are not studying with anybody at present, it might be a good idea to get together woth a teacher, at least for a few weeks, so that you can determine what particular mouthpiece might benefit you. There really isn;t much sense in spending money on new equipment, until you are certain that it will allow you to do something appreciably better.
Is there a particular aspect of yourcurrent setup that you are unhappy with?
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: hpadi
Date: 2007-09-18 20:15
Hello Jeff!!!
Hello Jeff, I am just trying to find answers to my questions. I am ok with my instrument and I love it. I am considering taking few classes and then fly solo again. The part I was most concern with was the embouchure and I thing I got it now. Thanks to you all, I can understand some of the concerns I had. Thank you for asking.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2007-09-18 21:08
To misquote Daniel Bonade, "Find the mouthpiece that plays most of your reeds well, and throw the remainder of mouthpiece into a deep lake..."
It's the practice time that makes for better playing.
WHATEVER mouthpiece allows you to make the most sound from your chosen reed is the winner... the idea is to have the mouthpiece work for you not the other way around.
If you must spend more money - spend it on lessons with a credible teacher.
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Author: hpadi
Date: 2007-09-20 22:21
I want to thank all of you that have contributed to my posting. It has been truly a great deal of help and a very valuable source of information. Putting one idea with another and then another gives you a wonderful array of idea and a greater spectrum or better yet, you can see things at a different dimension on the given subject.
I bought the Eddie Daniels II the Rover Ligature. This is a wonderful ligature. I can tell the difference and that was exactly what I was looking for.
As for the mouthpiece, I decided to purchase few. I already have the regular Selmer number 3, I bought a Vandoren M13, and I liked better than the number 3 that came with the instrument when I purchased. I noticed that the facing is shorter and I can control more a better sound.
I do not know if I am just trying to justify the expense by believing that the instrument sounds better, but I really think that there is a difference. Actually, I did change the littler plate in the ligature and indeed there is a difference. Therefore, I am happy for my accomplishments and I wanted to show gratitude to all of you that contributed to that end.
Thanks, Henry Padilla
Post Edited (2007-09-21 01:35)
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-09-21 18:49
hpadi,
Welcome to our world! Sounds like you made some good choices to help you get started. The whole point of buying any new stuff is to make it easier for you to improve the control you have over your own sound. When the playing response of your equipment feels comfortable, you are more likely to practice more and enjoy what you are doing. I would guess that it is not your imagination that you sound better. Mouthpieces have the greatest effect on tone quality, more so than the instrument itself. I wish you many years of clarinet fun. I hope you can find a good teacher and an ensemble to play with too, because these two things will really help you improve and enjoy making music even more.
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Author: hpadi
Date: 2007-09-22 18:30
Hello claritoot26!
Thank you very much. I like very much this forum site. It is full of good people, professional and knowledgeable on the subject. You have all contributed to my first steps and I am grateful for that. Your comments particularly are very supportive and reafirm the vision or idea that I have. I feel that I started off a good track. I will look for a good teacher and I will keep you all posted.
Sincerely, Henry Padilla
Post Edited (2007-09-22 18:37)
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2007-09-23 17:34
Hi hpadi,
If your're going to go it alone for while without a teacher you really should read; "The Art of Clarinet Playing by Keith Stein." It's less than $15.00 and will anwer a lot of your questions. I think " Embouchure Building for Clarinetists by Larry Guy" would be just the thing for you.
These are all available on line from Gary Van Cott. Check out his website for many other books on clarinet playing and study. It's Clarinet Heaven!
Clarinet Redux
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Author: hpadi
Date: 2007-09-26 01:52
Thank You Old Geezer!!!
I took a look at the website and I liked very much. I will buy those two books for sure.
Thanks! Henry Padilla
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