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Re: New mouthpiece, sore teeth

Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2014-02-05 00:50

I had a pair of Lyrique clarinets a few years ago and they came with a Ridenour mouthpiece. The clarinets were very free-blowing, but the mouthpiece (rather a close-long facing) was really resistant. It was my first experience with a very resistant mouthpiece as I'd played Vandorens (M13Lyre, M30) up to that point.

I didn't realize at the time, that such a mouthpiece required a rather different approach to embouchure/airstream or significant tension/biting can result.

As I've gotten older, I've changed equipment to reduce playing effort. From time to time I go back to that mouthpiece to see what if anything seems different. I think with more experience now I could play on it better, but I now require something that requires less work.

If you want to stay with that mouthpiece, then (in addition to the above suggestions) you might try some of the following things:

1) Try a thick mouthpiece cushion as this will open up your mouth and perhaps lessen the tendency to bite.

2) Try a cushion over your lower teeth as well. I've used cigarette paper for years, but other materials work as well.

3) Reduce your reed strength and compensate with better air support. I recommend playing the softest reed that gives you the desired results. I've found that softening the right side of the reed (looking down on the vamp with the tip away from you) helps to improve response by reducing the reed's effective strength without making it too soft. I use reed rush (ala Bonade) but sandpaper (as with the Ridenour ATG system), a Reed Wizard or knife will all do the trick.

4) Practice long tones/phrases at softer/moderate dynamics being conscious to maintain a strong embouchure that (as Paul suggests) "seals" AROUND the mouthpiece/reed without biting. Concentrate on filling the instrument with air rather than biting. For me, the optimum feeling is that I'm getting 100% vibration of the reed producing maximum tone/volume only because of the airstream, not because I'm straining the embouchure.

5) Experiment with clarinet angle. The French/American style of playing often involves a very "tight" (smiling) embouchure and holding the clarinet close to the body in a nearly vertical position. IMO this can create tension that might also encourage biting. In contrast, the German approach involves a more O-shaped embouchure and an instrument positioned more at a 45-degree angle. Experimentation with these concepts can reveal techniques that might help you.

6) Try a less resistant mouthpiece. It seems that many of today's mouthpieces are more, rather than less resistant. Of the mouthpieces I've played, the Fobes and Smith mouthpieces are very responsive and free-blowing. Currently I'm playing on a Kessler-Backun mouthpiece that is rather middle-of-the-road. If you want to try this approach, I would recommend something like a Fobes Debut as it is an excellent mouthpiece and very inexpensive. If this works, you can consider other alternatives.

Ultimately, the goal is to have our equipment/setup "disappear" so that we are free to focus just on the music.

Good luck!

Bob Barnhart

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