I started using a patch on my mouthpiece when I stopped using Level Airs on ten, alt in 1989. Because the Guardalas I started using had slick bite surfaces, I found a thin, clear patch gave me the 'bite' I wanted on the mouthpiece, was comfortable for my teeth and didn't interfere with anything.
Now that I'm using non-metals (except when I might play the Guardalas), I still use the patch to protect the mouthpiece. Getting ready for a rehearsal the other night, I decided to take my back-up tenor with my old Guardala just for fun, forgetting that I had pulled the patch off of it. So, there I was at practice with the one mouthpiece without a patch, so I had to play it. This was an eye-opener; I had heard guys say they wouldn't use a patch because it deadened their perception of what they were doing but I never thought much of the idea, but Wow! It was fantastic. I still can't do without the patch permanently because I'm convinced I would chip a tooth or something - I kept catching a front tooth on the 'lip' where the bite plate ends and doesn't perfectly match the metal.
So, I'm now convinced the story is true, that there should be no sound-deadening material between the teeth and the mouthpiece, but at the same time we have to live with reality. I did think about a thin, hard plastic applique that would cover the whole beak but I don't know of anything sold like that.
When it comes to patches the only one I like is the Bay 'Vibra-Ease' .33mm clear.
Now that I'm using non-metals (except when I might play the Guardalas), I still use the patch to protect the mouthpiece. Getting ready for a rehearsal the other night, I decided to take my back-up tenor with my old Guardala just for fun, forgetting that I had pulled the patch off of it. So, there I was at practice with the one mouthpiece without a patch, so I had to play it. This was an eye-opener; I had heard guys say they wouldn't use a patch because it deadened their perception of what they were doing but I never thought much of the idea, but Wow! It was fantastic. I still can't do without the patch permanently because I'm convinced I would chip a tooth or something - I kept catching a front tooth on the 'lip' where the bite plate ends and doesn't perfectly match the metal.
So, I'm now convinced the story is true, that there should be no sound-deadening material between the teeth and the mouthpiece, but at the same time we have to live with reality. I did think about a thin, hard plastic applique that would cover the whole beak but I don't know of anything sold like that.
When it comes to patches the only one I like is the Bay 'Vibra-Ease' .33mm clear.
