Prana verses non Prana

BruceB · 03-06-2006, 01:17 PM

Hi Manny. I have a Monette mouthpiece question for you. I've used a BL3 and MF2 in the standard version for many years now. So I thought why not try a prana since everyone seems to rave about them. So I bought a MF2 in the Prana version. Lo and behold it's got to be one of the single hardest mouthpieces I've ever played. It seems like all it does is push back on me. I know the Monette catalog says to play lower on the pitch, which I already do, and to relax more than normal. How much relaxing does this need? I'm suspecting it's got to have something to do with how I play. Bear in mind I've never had a problem with the other two that I have.
Any advice for this struggling Prana player?
Thanks.

Manny Laureano · 03-06-2006, 07:04 PM

I have a thought:

Do you tend to angle the horn down, perhaps a bit more than the average player? If you do, try keeping your chin down a bit and raising the angle of the horn somewhat. Allow your jaw to come out and continue to meet the mouthpiece which, naturally, is pulling away now that's you're raising the angle of the horn. This is all in small increments, of course, and a lot of wind in both directions.

Now, if all that is NOT the case and you don't downstream when you play, my advice is to call the shop and ask to speak first with Dean Comley and get his counsel.

ML

Tootsall · 03-06-2006, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manny Laureano

a lot of wind in both directions.

Oh my. I realize this is a serious discussion.... but are you CERTAIN?

Manny Laureano · 03-06-2006, 07:22 PM

Y'know...

As I write that line I swear I thought to myself "Nah... nobody's gonna... nah, who's going to make light of this? Nah... fuggedaboudit..."

Mother Superior awaits, Toots.

ML

Solar Bell · 03-06-2006, 07:25 PM

M L wrote:

Quote:

Mother Superior awaits, Toots.

Wasn't that fat penguin from the Windy City?

-cw-

Tootsall · 03-06-2006, 07:29 PM

To quote the punch line from an old joke "How would I know? I'm not Catholic!"

Alex Yates · 03-06-2006, 07:38 PM

at all of you.

Poor Bruce.....

Hey there B - ML gave you some great advice. I recently switched to a Prana myself. While I don't play down stream a great deal, I do a little and therefore had to make a small adjustment with the bottom jaw. Give it a little time and concentrated awareness and see what happens.

Spitty · 03-06-2006, 09:54 PM

I have an idea - go back to the MPs that work for you. Unless I am completely ignorant as to the incredible benefits of using prana equipment (i.e. better sound, better endurance, better range, etc), which is entirely possible - than just ignore my post :)

Good luck.

Cheers,
Spitty

camelbrass · 03-06-2006, 10:25 PM

Manny,

On a related point and at the risk of hijacking Bruce's topic. For those of us yet who don't (yet?) use Monette Prana or otherwise mouthpieces...do you think there is an advantage generally in substituting a slight downstream pivot with a forward jaw?

Regards,

Trevor

Manny Laureano · 03-06-2006, 11:13 PM

People's tooth and jaw positions are so individual that I would have to say not necessarily. What one looks for is balance and the proof in the pudding is a clear sound in all registers and ease of approach to producing sound.

It's whatever gives the lips a chance to vibrate effeciently and with minimum effort. The more one does that, the easier Monette equipment works.

ML

03-06-2006, 01:17 PM	#1 (permalink)
BruceB New Friend Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Seattle Posts: 9	Prana verses non Prana Hi Manny. I have a Monette mouthpiece question for you. I've used a BL3 and MF2 in the standard version for many years now. So I thought why not try a prana since everyone seems to rave about them. So I bought a MF2 in the Prana version. Lo and behold it's got to be one of the single hardest mouthpieces I've ever played. It seems like all it does is push back on me. I know the Monette catalog says to play lower on the pitch, which I already do, and to relax more than normal. How much relaxing does this need? I'm suspecting it's got to have something to do with how I play. Bear in mind I've never had a problem with the other two that I have. Any advice for this struggling Prana player? Thanks.
	__________________ Bruce Bb Getzen 3001LE Getzen Genesis

03-06-2006, 07:38 PM	#7 (permalink)
Alex Yates Forte User Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Atlanta, GA Brand: ECLIPSE Posts: 2,401	at all of you. Poor Bruce..... Hey there B - ML gave you some great advice. I recently switched to a Prana myself. While I don't play down stream a great deal, I do a little and therefore had to make a small adjustment with the bottom jaw. Give it a little time and concentrated awareness and see what happens.
	__________________ Alex Yates - Eclipse Artist The Virtual Trumpet Studio

03-06-2006, 09:54 PM	#8 (permalink)
Spitty Pianissimo User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Brooklyn, NY Posts: 125	I have an idea - go back to the MPs that work for you. Unless I am completely ignorant as to the incredible benefits of using prana equipment (i.e. better sound, better endurance, better range, etc), which is entirely possible - than just ignore my post :) Good luck. Cheers, Spitty
	__________________ Spitty Bach 43* ML Bach 1 1/4 C

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03-06-2006, 07:04 PM	#2 (permalink)
Manny Laureano Utimate User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 5,989	I have a thought: Do you tend to angle the horn down, perhaps a bit more than the average player? If you do, try keeping your chin down a bit and raising the angle of the horn somewhat. Allow your jaw to come out and continue to meet the mouthpiece which, naturally, is pulling away now that's you're raising the angle of the horn. This is all in small increments, of course, and a lot of wind in both directions. Now, if all that is NOT the case and you don't downstream when you play, my advice is to call the shop and ask to speak first with Dean Comley and get his counsel. ML

03-06-2006, 07:22 PM	#4 (permalink)
Manny Laureano Utimate User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 5,989	Y'know... As I write that line I swear I thought to myself "Nah... nobody's gonna... nah, who's going to make light of this? Nah... fuggedaboudit..." Mother Superior awaits, Toots. ML

03-06-2006, 07:29 PM	#6 (permalink)
Tootsall Fortissimo User Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Yee HAW! Posts: 4,641	To quote the punch line from an old joke "How would I know? I'm not Catholic!"

03-06-2006, 10:25 PM	#9 (permalink)
camelbrass Mezzo Forte User Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Dubai, UAE Posts: 780	Manny, On a related point and at the risk of hijacking Bruce's topic. For those of us yet who don't (yet?) use Monette Prana or otherwise mouthpieces...do you think there is an advantage generally in substituting a slight downstream pivot with a forward jaw? Regards, Trevor

03-06-2006, 11:13 PM	#10 (permalink)
Manny Laureano Utimate User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: USA Posts: 5,989	People's tooth and jaw positions are so individual that I would have to say not necessarily. What one looks for is balance and the proof in the pudding is a clear sound in all registers and ease of approach to producing sound. It's whatever gives the lips a chance to vibrate effeciently and with minimum effort. The more one does that, the easier Monette equipment works. ML

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