 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-06-15 02:32
This forum has been very good to me by providing much information about the clarinet and clarinet playing, so I would like to contribute just a small bit myself.
I would like to share, especially with beginners who have not tried a mouthpiece patch, my first experience today with one. I've been taking lessons for about 2 months now, and from day one I've had a problem with keeping the mp firm in my mouth. Almost every lesson my teacher will take his hand and nudge my mp a bit while I am playing, and inevitably, it would move. Then he would tell me, "you must keep it firmer in order to play a stable, steady tone...".
I tried my very best to do as instructed, but still I could not hold it firm. I thought it would likely just take some time until my embouchure muscles grew stronger. Well, today I tried a thin mp patch (two cost about $2), and wala, much, much firmer grip. I would not have believed it if I had not tried it myself. It allowed my upper teeth to anchor right in and hold the mp very firmly.
Now I'm not saying it's for everyone, but if you're a beginner, you really should do yourself a favor and try one (not the thick type, but the thin). They are very reasonably priced, so if it doesn't work for you, then little is wasted but your time. I believe they would just peel right off should you not want it.
For me, I believe it is just the ticket.
Happy clarineting.
CarlT
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-06-15 02:50
Welcome aboard.
Mp patches are great, and mind you not just for beginers. The majority of pros wouldn't touch their mp without a patch. Not only do they help anchor your teeth, but they tend to improve tone in the lower register where vibrations can cause problems. They also protect the mouthpiece from tooth scratching, which is one of the biggest reason they are used.
As for the tickness, that is all personal preference. I use the thick ones as my teeth tear through the thin ones and damage the mp quickly.
I suggest experimenting with both thick and thin. The thick will feel quite awkward at first, but once you get used to it, you don't even notice it. Much like wearing your watch on the opposite wrist.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-06-15 11:40
It sounds like you are trying to hold the mp secure by biting it rather than by pushing the clarinet up. Ask your teacher about this.
Bob Draznik
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-06-15 12:48
<It sounds like you are trying to hold the mp secure by biting it rather than by pushing the clarinet up. Ask your teacher about this.>
Okay, Bob, I just checked to see if I was biting. I really don't think so. I am putting very little pressure on my lower lip, while wedging the mp using my upper teeth as support. Even at my level, I believe I would know if I were biting instead of just "supporting". I will, however, talk to my teacher next week and see what he thinks. He had given me the go ahead to get a patch, even though I was the one who brought it up.
It takes very little pressure for me to hold the mp now compared to what it did prior to putting the patch on. The mp would easily slide around before; now it doesn't.
I have a moderate overbite, so I don't know if that has a thing to do with anything regarding the patch working for me, but it just might.
Thanks for taking the time to read my posts.
CarlT
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-06-15 13:48
Yer rite, CarlT, its a continuing pleasure to propose, apply and hear V G things about mp patches, from "newbies" AND experienced cl'ists, and discuss the comfort/appearance of material [syn. rubber/plastic] and thickness with them. Also for comfort, try a thumb-rest "thingie". Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: stevesklar
Date: 2008-06-15 14:07
The mouthpiece patch is great. I use a medium Yamaha brand.
I used to have my teeth slightly move around due to a slight uneven "flatness" between the two front teeth and thus a small amount of one tooth actually contacting the mpc. The patch allows that unevenness to be nuetralized out and thus both the teeth firmly are in contact via the patch.
==========
Stephen Sklar
My YouTube Channel of Clarinet Information
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-06-15 14:31
"Please don't bite the mp. If teeth marks appear, you are biting while holding." That was my teacher, gulp, 70 years ago, who taught me not to bite.He said use the lips only. Ever since, my mps show no bite marks.
richard smith
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Author: D
Date: 2008-06-16 14:05
I use the thick black patches. I think I've used about three in about 4 years. I have slightly broken front teeth which makes small sharp bits and also makes the vibrations quite uncomfortable. However, agree with the above posters, if you are leaving marks then you are biting. I get a small dent which appears over a few months from the sharp bit on one tooth. If your teeth are quite smooth then you shouldn't experience this.
Have you thought about rolling your lips further out or in? It might be the relationship between your teeth and lips in terms of your personal physiology that is the issue. I have recently taken up the oboe and am having difficulty rolling my fat trombone players lips in far enough to be able to use the right muscles. Too used to pouting I guess!
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-06-16 22:20
<Have you thought about rolling your lips further out or in?>
D, I have tried about everything. I rolled my lower lip in more, out more, etc., before finding a pretty good happy medium. I also even tried the double-lip concept (definitely not for me). The thing that has helped most is the patch.
I have only been using the thin patch about 2 days, so too early to tell, but so far, no bite marks at all, and the embrochure is holding so much better (more stable and firm, resulting in steadier tones). I am very enthused about the patches. I will eventually try a thicker one, and if it's any bit better, I'll switch to it, but now I'm very satisfied with the thin ones.
CarlT
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-06-17 13:10
"I also even tried the double-lip concept (definitely not for me). "
There's nothing "wrong" with using a mp patch, whatever the reason. I doubt the overbite is a cause of your problem but maybe your teeth are real smooth.
I would encourage you, though, not to junk the idea of trying a double lip method. You just can't "try it" ....for a bit....and then arrive at the conclusion it's not a possibility. If you try it long enough to get past the sore upper lip and then feel it's not for you then you have given it a proper trial.
Bob Draznik
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Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-06-17 15:57
<I would encourage you, though, not to junk the idea of trying a double lip method.>
Thanks for the advice, BobD. You're right, I am sure, I likely didn't try it long enough.
Perhaps if I tried it everyday for a bit, and then went back to my regular embouchure after 5 minutes, I could get used to it that way(??). I don't believe my teacher would want me to just go for it all at once and drop the regular method. He's pretty fussy when it comes to changing anything other than what he's taught me. I agree though, that one needs to allow enough time before just saying, "not for me". I should never do that.
For the moment, since the patch, my embouchure has improved 100%, and I can't wait for Thursday's lesson to "show off".
CarlT
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