[bartonsax]

I just got a DV 7 to try, and I'm noticing my upper octave squeeks a lot. Looks like it's being cuased by my reed closing off the mouthpiece, but It's the hardest reed I can actally comfortably play on....does this normally happen when playing a DV for the first time?

 

[Metalflake]

Happened to me on my 7*, still does from time to time. Very frustrating. I find the DV encourages a very relaxed embouchure - too much pressure from the lower lip (read biting) and it starts chirping and squeaking away. A harder reed does help...I think perhaps a more open tip would also help (I used to play a Guardala Studio, which would be more like an 8* DV, and I often wonder if the difference in opening between that and my 7* may be the source of my problems).

 

[bartonsax]

Happened to me on my 7*, still does from time to time. Very frustrating. I find the DV encourages a very relaxed embouchure - too much pressure from the lower lip (read biting) and it starts chirping and squeaking away. A harder reed does help...I think perhaps a more open tip would also help (I used to play a Guardala Studio, which would be more like an 8* DV, and I often wonder if the difference in opening between the that and my 7* may be the source of my problems).

I think i need to do some serious work on getting a relaxed embouchure, as I think you're correct. I originally had a 7*, but it was a bit too open for me, so i sent it back for the 7.

 

[Metalflake]

Long tones. Hours and hours of long tones is what is required to build up endurance (was for me, anyway). Even now, as soon as my face starts getting tired and I start putting pressure on the reed, out come the chirps. I actually find it a rather unforgiving piece - fantastic sound, but not as immediately playable as my old Guardala (and truth be told I'm still not convinced it has the same amount of depth and flexibility). Good luck.

 

[collegestationsax]

I have a dv 7 as well for my main piece. I'm a tenor player, but i imagine the pieces are quite similar. I also think it is your embouchure being too tight. Try loosening your jaw and putting pressure on the reed with just your bottom lip (not a whole lot though). I actually think a softer reed will help. You won't need as much support from your lip so you will be more comfortable and not have to bite as much to get the reed to respond. Try out the vandoren zz's for that mp. I think the 3 zz is a perfect fit for the dv 7

 

[KeithL]

I have both JJDV and DVNY bari pieces and I like them in terms of sound production over any of the other bari pieces I've played/ owned. That being said finding the right reeds to use with them has been a very expensive (and on going) adventure. I also have played the JJ DV and DVNY tenor pieces and presently play a JJ DV Chi as my primary tenor piece- for me the tenor pieces are far more reed friendly. I've played Rico RJS, Vandoren Javas, V16s, & Rigotti Golds on tenor all with good results. On my JJ bari pieces I've been using 2.5 Rico plastic coated reeds but I'm not crazy about them. Finding a reed soft enough to play the low notes easily and with control but stiff enough to get the upper octave to speak has been very difficult for me.

 

[bartonsax]

Thanks for the reply guys, lots of great info here and I'll be sure to explore all of my options.

 

[Grumps]

No matter how bad we want to have a certain mouthpiece work for us, sometimes they just don't. You can get used to playing nearly anything, but why waste time fighting your equipment? There's plenty of other mouthpieces out there.

 

[bartonsax]

No matter how bad we want to have a certain mouthpiece work for us, sometimes they just don't. You can get used to playing nearly anything, but why waste time fighting your equipment? There's plenty of other mouthpieces out there.

Very valid point Grumps. I believe this is my 4th day with the DV and it's already started to get noticibly better, so I'm sticking with it for now.