 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: krainbow921
Date: 2005-06-21 03:30
Hi,
I'm a totally new beginner (only learnt one lesson) and the teacher says we should get a 'mouthpiece cushion' to stick on my mouthpiece.
I walked into the music store and saw that there are a few different ones. Some are clear patches, others are black, and 2-3 different brands.
Can anyone please tell me which brand is better?
And is there any differences between the brands? eg, thickness of the patch, material, softness, etc..
also, how often do we need to change the mouthpiece cushion?
any advice is appreciated. coz my music teacher is not too pro with the clarinet and we're learning during music class in high school. (i plan to take private lessons later)
thanks alot.
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Author: D
Date: 2005-06-21 08:52
The cushion helps stop your teeth slipping, and also reduces the vibration you pick up therough your teeth, personally I have very sensitive teeth so this is absolutely necessary. However, it can be tempting to bite hard into the cushion, because it is not uncomfortable - try to avoid clamping down on the mouth piece like a small rottweiler, it doesn't do a lot for your playing. Most of your grip needs to come from your lips.
If your teeth are not too sensitive then you would be fine with most types of cushion, the more sensitive your teeth are the thicker the cushion you will need. I use the BG large 0.8mm black cushion. These stay on for ages (months - unless you have very acidic saliva), just clean it gently with mild soap and water when you clean the rest of your mouthpiece.
Oh, cleaning your teeth or at least swishing with clean water and chewing gum before you play, is a significant factor in keeping your mouthpiece pleasant. This will also help extend the life of the mouthpiece patch by a lot.
Good luck and have fun!
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Author: crnichols
Date: 2005-06-21 10:21
I preferred the thin clear ones before I started playing double lip most of the time. If you're really curious, try all of them, and see what you like the best.
Christopher Nichols
1st Infantry Division Band
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2005-06-21 13:44
The above advice is VG, I agree in their use for both the single and double lip embouchures, as do several of the authors/clists of my best cl reference books. For bass and alto cls where I play on glass-crystal mps, I prefer the thinner clear plastics, on sop mps where I play more single lip I prefer the black rubber ones, perhaps I bite too much for the high notes !! As with thumb cushions, they do make playing life more pleasant ! Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: pzaur
Date: 2005-06-21 14:28
I use the Yamaha brand cushions, myself. I couldn't tell you what the thickness.
I've also started to use just a piece of black electrical tape on some of my mouthpieces. The tape can only be applied when the mouthpiece is absolutely dry. Otherwise, it won't stay and you'll end up sliding the tape around on your mtpc.
-pat
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Author: Kel
Date: 2005-06-21 14:43
Some contend the thick cushions inhibit the vibration of the mouthpiece. I've heard that Ralph Morgan discourages their use for that reason, but that's second-hand information. I use the Runyon clear protectors on all mouthpieces because they make the mouthpiece less slippery and help protect it from tooth scuffs. Ultimately, as pointed out above, it's a matter of personal preference and comfort. They last almost forever if you don't bite hard.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-06-21 15:13
I like the thin Black patches. The clear ones I've found leave a gummy residue when removed - unlike the black patches.
You can take a Runyon black patch and cut it in half. That leaves less of the rubber to inhibit the vibrations of the mouthpiece (Gigliotti didn't like large patches either for that reason).
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Author: Clarinetgirl06
Date: 2005-06-21 16:29
I second David. I use the Runyon thick black patch and I cut it in half. It cuts down on the vibration and you get 2 patches instead of one which saves you money. Any little bit helps!
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Author: Tyler
Date: 2005-06-21 17:09
Once you go black you don't go back! Black patches all the way!!!
-Tyler- (white kid, lol)
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Author: poopsie
Date: 2005-06-21 17:34
I prefer to use the black patches. They look better on the mouthpiece and they last longer then the clear patches. I only replace my patches when my teeth have made a hole in the patch that I am using. That does not happen very often, though.
If you have sensitive teeth you might want to stay away from the thicker patches, also. That is my experience.
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Author: susieray
Date: 2005-06-21 21:27
I also use the clear ones, and have always cut them in half to get twice as many patches. It has never made sense to me to have the patch cover such a large area of the mouthpiece.
Sue
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Author: krainbow921
Date: 2005-06-22 09:20
thanks for all your advices.
i was also wondering, do patches for chair and table legs work the same?
i have a packet of clear patches (semi-soft plastic) at home that are used for sticking on the bottom of the chair or table leg to prevent it scratching the floor.
it might sound silly, but if i cut those patches into a shape to fit on the mouthpiece, does it work similarly?
or is it like i said, a silly idea out of the question?
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Author: krainbow921
Date: 2005-06-22 09:32
btw, the sticky surface on the patch is just a layer of doubt sided tape in case you are worried the adhesive material might damage the mouthpiece later on when i need to take it off.
i've used the patch on other things than furniture to protect a delicate surface. When you take the patch off, the plastic part detaches from the adhesive (sticky tape is not very strong) and then I clean up the sticky tape on the surface by wiping with warm water.
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Author: Dana
Date: 2005-06-22 16:35
I have used tire patches as mouthpiece cushions. Just trim it to the size you need, add some double sided tape and you're good to go! It's cheap and it works!
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Author: susieray
Date: 2005-06-22 17:41
>>do patches for chair and table legs work the same?<<
My guess is these would be MUCH too thick....
Sue
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