 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2008-09-06 01:49
Just a tip for all of those newbies (including me) that I KNOW lurk around these boards:
I've found that a Rovner-style cloth or rubber ligature has helped me develop my embouchure quite a bit. With my other mouthpiece/ligature combos (Metal two-screw ligature and hard plastic single-screw) it didn't matter how tired I was, I could just play and pray. Blow really hard, have a death-like grip on the mouthpiece, have NO grip on the mouthpiece, etc. Either way, sound would still come out, albeit not great sound.
After getting a Rovner ligature (specifically the MKIII) I've had to keep track of what I've been doing. Too lax on the embouchure? *SQUEAK!* Too tight? ~WaRbLe.~ It's really helped me get control of my lips and facial muscles. As I start to get tired, an annoying "pre-squeal" will come before every note open G or higher, but if I keep it together I don't get that, and it sounds (even for me) beautiful. Just thought I would share this. Also, I don't work for Rovner or anything; I'm just so happy with this new discovery that It's made practice time more fun for me.
~Bonus Question for Experts time!~
Just wondering - What do you guys think about the "Premier" mouthpiece by HITE? I went out to get a new mouthpiece and my local music shop had an older one of these in the back that he let me try. I was burning through the shelf models when he came out and said something along the lines of "so-and-so band teacher at [the main high school] used to recommend this one for all of his students." Out of all of the mouthpieces I tried, this one seemed the "quickest" but I would like to know you people's opinion, because it's an opinion that I [mostly] trust. It was cheaper than the Vandoren B45 and (to me) sounded better.
Post Edited (2008-09-06 02:04)
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2008-09-06 01:56
David Hite, who died a couple of years ago, made great mouthpieces. Grab this one before someone else gets it.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2008-09-06 01:58
Cool, I'll grab the mouthpiece tomorrow morning. and correction, it's only a Rovner 1R, but same difference. Much more awesome than a generic metal ligature.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-09-06 02:15
The "Premier" is an entry level model and is good for what it is. I personally prefer starting players on the Fobes Debut as I like it much more.
The premiere is a mass produced plastic mouthpiece and not hand anything so it's not special whatsoever. Is it better than a good Vandoren? Most likely no.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-09-06 02:18
I have opne of the really old David Hite professional mouthpieces from the '70s. My former teacher ordered it for me, and it saw me through years of playine. David Hite made very nice mouthpieces. Mine was from the day when he hand-finished all his mouthpieces. They were very nice and produced a lovely tone.
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."
Post Edited (2008-09-06 02:38)
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2008-09-06 13:12
I have a Hite Premiere that I think is an excellent mouthpiece (free-blowing and good for jazz) on my "step-up" Selmer Signet Special and student-quality Bundy (both from the 1980s). The Hite Premiere, sold as a student mouthpiece and not intended to compete for the business of classical musicians playing professional instruments, is a bargain for students who want something better than the junky mouthpieces that usually come in the case with new student clarinets.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2008-09-06 13:15
the Hite Premiere is definitely on my "good student mouthpieces" list.
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Author: claribari
Date: 2008-09-07 23:29
I use a Hite Premiere and I absolutely love it. I think it would be a great mouthpiece to have.
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2008-09-08 00:23
Okay, I've gotten the mouthpiece. Compared to my Selmer USA mouthpiece, the facing on the Hite is narrower, but longer. It also makes it much easier to squeak, no matter what I do...
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2008-09-08 00:30
Try different reeds and see if it helps? Your reed could be too soft or something else.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-09-08 01:31
My old Hite worked very well with traditional (blue-box) Vaodorens. Don't know if that is still the case, but it might be worth a try to see. Start with a #3 and see how it works for you.
EDIT: I did some online checking, and many sources recommend the Vandoren #3 for this mouthpiece.
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."
Post Edited (2008-09-08 02:15)
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2008-09-08 05:00
Do I understand correctly, you squeek more with the Rovner? So why persist with the thing? Throw it away. If you need it as embouchure trainer OK, but I think there is enough to worry about getting right without a handicap to start with.
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Author: timg
Date: 2008-09-08 10:01
This lurking newbie was also pleasantly surprised by the difference a new ligature made (also a Rovner mk.III). It's much more consistent in the way that it holds the reeds. Learning becomes much easier, because one of the variables has been taken away: if the sound is wrong, it's either my embouchure or a dud reed - and it's pretty easy to work out which.
I'm sure any decent ligature with a good match to the mouthpiece shape will do the same job. Meanwhile, the ligature which came with the clarinet has been consigned to the same dusty drawer as the original mouthpiece.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-09-08 10:05
I've recently switched over to a Behn Ouverture which I like even more than the Fobes Début and the Hite Première (which I both have and use as backups or when my mouth is bored).
I can recommend all three.
--
Ben
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2008-09-08 21:42
I don't think ligatures affect squeaking. It's probably your reed since the ligature just holds the reed down.
And Rovners reduce squeaking for me.
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Author: Geirskogul
Date: 2008-09-14 06:31
I've found that using a harder reed (Like a Rico Reserve 4 or a Vandoren V-12 3.5) makes playing quick, loud passages, especially on the old Hite Premier, much easier and squeak-free. Up until now I've been using Rico Royal 2.5 or plain Rico 2, but the same music shop owner suggested that using a harder reed for someone with my lung capacity and force may be better. He gave me a few V-12s and Reserves to try out; two of each.
I know that embochure is a BIG part (maybe the only part?) of keeping a squeak-free performance, but am I doing harm to myself playing on something a bit harder? I like the way they sound, and I have a hearty airstream. Also, the college's woodwind instructor says that the Hite has been hand-faced...? I bought it "new," but it was an OOOOLD piece of backstock at the music store. It certainly looks different than my other two mouthpieces (Selmer USA and generic ABS POS)
Post Edited (2008-09-14 07:05)
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2008-09-14 12:52
If the reeds are comfortable (don't have to blow your brains out), I would use them.
Moving up reed strength should be normal, since your embouchure develops.
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Author: Mr.B
Date: 2008-09-15 17:16
My setup exactly: Hite Premier/Rovner 1R. Attached to a Selmer Signet 100!
I too squeeked at first using the Hite premier mouthpiece, but after a while it got much better. My reason for changing to the Premier was that my original mouthpiece tip (very old Noblet 3) was worn too thin and I had problems. I then ordered a Rovner R1 ligature to take the guessing out of the screws adjustment.
I'm in my first year of learning and so far this setup in working really well for me.
B
40ish beginner
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