 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetplayer21
Date: 2015-08-14 03:28
when you guys got a new mouthpiece about how long did it take you to "get used to" it? i finally replaced my stock mp with a used selmer hs* as it was all my local store had. i use rico royal 2 1/2 and legere signature 2 on it and every once and while i get a screech am i just needing to get used to the new mp or am i doing something wrong?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2015-08-14 04:01
I've generally found the HS* to be fairly user-friendly, but the ones that I've had have been a bit fussy about reed placement. The Legere reeds are extremely sensitive to thia as well, the reed must be absolutely central on the table.
Tony F.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-08-14 04:16
I have gotten a little jaded over the years, claiming (at least to myself) that I only switch to mouthpieces that immediately give me the results that I am looking for. Though I still feel strongly that this is mostly true, I have recently found myself moving away from a mouthpiece almost in a "buyer's remorse" situation, only to find that it took a few months of continual play (I forced myself to reconnect with this wonderful mouthpiece) to really plumb the depths of what it can do.
So, I would say that you only want to shift to something that does give you immediate results, but the true capabilities won't fully reveal themselves for several weeks to several months.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2015-08-14 05:09
seeing as you just switched from the stock mouthpiece to a used hs*, I'm going to make a few assumptions....... Possibly no private teacher to help guide in mouthpieces, fairly new player, limited income (or maybe just don't know what the heck to try out)?
I suggest you buy a Fobes Debut mouthpiece. Thirty bucks (plus shipping if your local store can't or won't get it), and it's phenomenal. Rock solid, and it'll help you develop well, reed friendly, and it'll let you concentrate on building up technique instead of fussing over a picky, maybe not so great mouthpiece.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2015-08-14 05:18
I have the same reaction to your question as Paul, but from a slightly different perspective. I generally only switch to a new mouthpiece if I feel immediately comfortable playing on it. It shouldn't keep me from doing anything that I could easily do on the old one. But, once having switched to a new mouthpiece, I think if it's really a good switch, I discover things over time that I can (it allows me to) do better with the new mouthpiece than I could with the old. In that sense, I'm not so much getting used to it as it is freeing me to do more than I could before.
Your screeches, though, should not be a result of the mouthpiece change. You may not be using the best reed match with it. Do the Royals and the Signature tend to screech equally often, or is one more stable than the other? I find that Legeres in general and, maybe, Signatures in particular don't work as well for me on some mouthpieces as they do on others. And, I don't find that Legeres respond the same way good cane reeds do - the differences *do* demand a certain amount of adjustment on my part. So maybe if you're switching back and forth, you might be having trouble getting used to the different reeds on the HS*, not to the mouthpiece itself. Maybe try only using a Legere or Royals for awhile and see what happens.
If the HS* doesn't feel easy to play, you may need to change reed strengths, which gets into a fair amount of experimenting.
Karl
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2015-08-14 06:37
I've found that my HS* works well with harder reeds. It feels very similar to my Genussa GE (1.00mm facing). I actually use the same reeds on both mouthpieces, D'addario Reserve Classic 4.0+, or something around that strength. Maybe trying a harder reed will help (not that you have to go that hard just yet!).
Good luck!
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: ned
Date: 2015-08-14 08:06
I have been playing a Meyer #9 for jazz for a few years and recently (about a year ago) bought a Meyer #8 because I thought it would be easier on my ageing chops, given I prefer a Rico #3 reed.
It is easier of course, but now I'm searching for the ideal reed, to match the #8 as this one just closes up unfortunately, with even just a little bit of pressure.
So, to answer your question, I'm still ''getting used to it''.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-08-14 19:27
A Legere 2.0 is way too soft for a Selmer HS*, unless you're an absolute beginner on the instrument.
There is no room for error on the HS* when it comes to reed placement. Make sure the reed tip is perfectly centered and aligned with the tip rail, and that the butt end is centered on the table.
Also, you'll want to break in new reeds for use on the HS*. Reeds that have been played extensively on some other mouthpiece may squeak or not play at all.
Once you get the reeds figured out, the HS* is a wonderful mouthpiece, capable of accessing the entire compass of the clarinet at any dynamic level with uncommon ease and control.
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Author: clarinetplayer21
Date: 2015-08-14 23:03
so what exactly do i do here? do i keep the hs* or get something different? the owner of the store recommened me the hs* as it was what he used in high school. he also recommened me to use the rico royal 2 1/2 on it and the legere signature is supposed to be slightly harder than that.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-08-15 00:32
Given no local store with a decent selection of mouthpieces, you order online (such as Woodwind Brasswind - great prices). I would suggest Vandoren mouthpieces for several reasons:
ONE: they are consistent in quality and are very good
TWO: they have a well publicized mouthpiece sizing chart and many to choose from
THREE: once you get used to a certain dimension you will be able to make some judgements about moving from there based on the chart
FOUR: many of us at all levels of play use them
I suggest starting with an M13 (not the one with the Lyre designation; Profile 88 is fine, it is just smaller feeling in the mouth). It will play MUCH better than a used Selmer HS*.
......................Paul Aviles
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Author: clarinetplayer21
Date: 2015-08-15 02:11
i will do that soon. if you were to pick would the profile 88 or not? the website says it is easier to play high notes. i have lots of music where i must very often play very high such as C7 constantly. would the profile 88 be better for this type of stuff?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-08-15 03:12
The difference in the Profile 88 is that it requires a smaller opening of your mouth. So if it is more comfortable for you to feel more mouthpiece, you may want to consider a non-Profile 88 (given the choice, I go this route but they are actually harder to find - not a problem for Woodwind Brasswind).
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2015-08-16 01:30
One thing you should do is check your HS* for wear--for whatever reason, the two that I own have been uncommonly prone to the facings wearing down. The first one, which I purchased unused around 1988, actually wore to the point of becoming unplayable after maybe five years' use.
Take a magnifying glass and study the side rails--note the relative glossiness and finish of the side rails close to the tip rail, along the facing curve, and on the flat area between the curve and the table. Is the finish mostly uniform, or is it highly variable? Is it scratched or nicked in any way? Visible wear, scratches, and nicks are all signs that you probably have a dud mouthpiece on your hands that won't play well no matter how good your technique is or how well-chosen your reeds are.
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