| Janell -
The Monette and the Bach are not really very similar. The rims are pretty close in diameter, but have very different contours. I've been doing the two mouthpiece thing almost since day one (I played a Bach 1 1/2C and a Jettone all the way through high school). The trick for me is to ALWAYS start on the larger one, and to try and play them both equally if possible.
As for finding one to "do it all", I haven't found it yet. Plus, I (myself) just don't feel right playing a tiny mouthpiece in an orchestra, or playing a huge mouthpiece in a big band.
MJ -
It sounds like a cop-out answer but it's true ... sight reading only improves when you do it. Sometimes I'll borrow a french horn or clarinet method book just to keep my reading together. I heard that Maynard used to practice violin etudes (as only he could).
Also, ear training is extremely important to me. Being able to hear an interval before you play it will certainly improve ones reading skills. I don't teach too many lessons, but when I do, I always try to slip in some ear training. (I'll play a 5 note phrase and ask the student to play it back to me, giving them only the starting note. Then we'll switch. It's good practice for both of us.)
Basically, just read as much as possible. And don't forget about transposition ... another beneficial tool.
Tony |