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Alex Yates · 02-06-2007, 11:58 AM

Hey Tom!

Me and my big fat mouth! LOL. (just kidding....quoting Jackie Gleason from his Honeymooner days)

I have played a 1C or variation thereof for ..... gulp ....... 22 years. Now I am noticing (for the first time ever) certain things becoming a bit more work. I have also been doing a lot more recitals and master classes than I used to do which means playing a lot of solo repertoire. My training and focus for many years was orchestral playing. Being a soloist requires (for me) a little different skill-set and approach. When I tried this particular 3C (It was a Mt Vernon copy I believe), I still felt comfortable and still sounded like me. A light bulb went off and I thought to myself that if I could keep these two aspects (comfort and maintaining MY sound) and add to the comfort and ease, why not try it out? Now, I might end up trying a 3C for a week or so and decide it isn't for me because my lips might swell too much or something like that. I also wouldn't attempt a change in mid-work season and would wait until the summer so I could really experiment. It also might be the case that the 3C makes nothing easier. It is mainly based on the individual. A 1C rim has ALWAYS felt like home to me. With age, it is suddenly feeling a bit "roomy" after doing a few sessions of playing. The only reason I would consider the 3C in a couple of years would be if the 1C just began to feel too big all of the time and hindered my abilities.

Gosh, I hope this explains some things for you. I know it was a bit scattered, but this is just an honest, off the top of my head answer. If you have any further questions that I did not address, please ask.

02-06-2007, 11:58 AM	#2 (permalink)
Alex Yates Forte User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Posts: 2,405	Re: Alex Yates 3C Hey Tom! Me and my big fat mouth! LOL. (just kidding....quoting Jackie Gleason from his Honeymooner days) I have played a 1C or variation thereof for ..... gulp ....... 22 years. Now I am noticing (for the first time ever) certain things becoming a bit more work. I have also been doing a lot more recitals and master classes than I used to do which means playing a lot of solo repertoire. My training and focus for many years was orchestral playing. Being a soloist requires (for me) a little different skill-set and approach. When I tried this particular 3C (It was a Mt Vernon copy I believe), I still felt comfortable and still sounded like me. A light bulb went off and I thought to myself that if I could keep these two aspects (comfort and maintaining MY sound) and add to the comfort and ease, why not try it out? Now, I might end up trying a 3C for a week or so and decide it isn't for me because my lips might swell too much or something like that. I also wouldn't attempt a change in mid-work season and would wait until the summer so I could really experiment. It also might be the case that the 3C makes nothing easier. It is mainly based on the individual. A 1C rim has ALWAYS felt like home to me. With age, it is suddenly feeling a bit "roomy" after doing a few sessions of playing. The only reason I would consider the 3C in a couple of years would be if the 1C just began to feel too big all of the time and hindered my abilities. Gosh, I hope this explains some things for you. I know it was a bit scattered, but this is just an honest, off the top of my head answer. If you have any further questions that I did not address, please ask.