The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetgirl2
Date: 2010-12-03 23:58
I need a suggestion for an inexpensive mouthpiece for a new student player. The boy has not yet started playing. Clarinet is a used plastic student Evette that is in quite good shape but came with a no-name mouthpiece that only squeaks. I can't even make it play.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-12-04 00:15
Clark Fobes Debut
Hite Premiere
Ridenour Encore
Redwine Mezzo
Behn Overture
...in no particular order of preference.
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: davetrow
Date: 2010-12-04 05:36
I bought a Behn Overture to retrain my embouchure after years of bad habits (it worked!) and I love it. It seems to me to be a really easy-playing mp.
Dave Trowbridge
Boulder Creek, CA
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Author: clarinetgirl2
Date: 2010-12-04 12:23
Thanks for the suggesions. I have not shopped for a mouthpiece in 30 yrs since I was in college & really had no idea of the prices that MPs have gone up too. The last mouthpieces I bought were Gigliotti & I paid $40-50 for them including one worked by the man himself. It has no model #.
I did a little searching on the list given by Jeff, Thanks. & decided to start at the top. I went ahead & ordered the Debut. Should get it in a couple days I suspect.
It's a price that the boy can afford. If it plays good I will pass it on to him.
I do remember that I did use a HITE in highschool. I don't recall if it was good or bad but when I got to the Conervatory it was quickly tossed out and replaced with the Gigliotti.
I will report back on the Debut.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2010-12-05 04:42
Have the horn checked out for leaks. If the horn is in good working condition any of the already mentioned mouthpieces are very good. What reeds and reed strengths are you using?
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2010-12-05 11:56
I tried a Hite Premier and found that for me it has a chirp in the upper register. I settled on a B45 that seems to work well for me.
Tony F.
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Author: clarinetgirl2
Date: 2010-12-05 12:56
I have not had the horn tested for leaks & it may very well have some. However I did play test it using my Gigliotti P & a P34 with a regular Vandoren #3 reed. The instrument played just fine. I also tried the no-name mouthpiece that was squeaking with that horn on my R13 with the VD #3. It squeaked & squeaked.
I purchased the Evette student clarinet from a person over the internet who said her son had only played it for a couple of years & then quit. The clarinet is practically new. I can see why this kid would have quit playing. If all you can get is squeaks that would be quite discouraging to anyone.
I can't wait to start trying out the mouthpieces. It will be a fun learning experience. I guess I've been sheltered & prejudiced by the setup I've used for over 30 yrs (R13-Bb & RC-A with Gigliotti P & P34 w/VD Blackmaster 3or4. I play double-lip). Now I have my two 10 yr old nephews to begin teaching. I have already started one of them & he is doing great. He plays the recorder quite well so it was not hard for him to learn. He is finding all the keys a bit challenging & I giggle at him. The other will start as soon as I get the mouthpiece issue decided.
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2010-12-06 14:38
Some of my youngsters have had good results with the Selmer GoldenTone, and those are about the cheapest beginner mouthpieces out there.
Lori
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Author: clarinetgirl2
Date: 2010-12-09 01:57
I received the Clark Fobes Debut mouthpiece today. I am happy to report that after trying it out with a Bonade ligature & a regular Vandoren #3 reed I found it to be quite easy to play & quite a nice sounding mouthpiece. Really no problems with it whatsoever. It will be on the way to my new student.
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