Play for a few minutes and rest for a few minutes. Give your chops a break. Try not to just go until you can no longer bear the pain. The resting is as important as the playing.
So you're just crossing the break? Even if you mean the C above that you still should be using much softer reeds, in my opinion. As for the clarinet possibly leaking, your teacher should be able to check that - give him/her the thing to play for 2 minutes. I'm not saying the teacher has to fix it. But he has to check it and see if it's playable. [Read your final post after my initial thoughts - sorry. Now "the shop" - here openeth another can of worms.]iso007 said:Thanks for all the comments.
Rooty - range: low-middle register (up to C basically).
Dog: I used 2.5 for a year (I've been playing for like 18 months, with the B45, VD #2 reeds.) My teacher advised me to change to #3. I tried it, it was too hard. I decided to try then the middle, Gonzalez 2 3/4.
Since I got into #3, I can't find my sound. Basically for like 4 months now. And it's getting worse.
My clarinet is not leaking for sure, but some pads slowly have to be changed.
The B45 has been a popular mouthpiece for young clarinetists in my part of the country for quite some time. Can you elaborate a bit on why you like a more closed tip mouthpiece for less experienced players to start on?danarsenault said:Why a B45? It is VERY open and not recommended by me to any student of your experience. I would have you try a Fobes debut or other good quality mouthpiece a shade over 1 mm tip opening, with a reasonably strong reed, probably a blue box 3.
smaller tip opening=easier pitch control with someone without really good muscle support.jbtsax said:The B45 has been a popular mouthpiece for young clarinetists in my part of the country for quite some time. Can you elaborate a bit on why you like a more closed tip mouthpiece for less experienced players to start on?