Klarinet Archive - Posting 000174.txt from 1995/10

From: Fred Cicetti <cicetti@-----.COM>
Subj: I Gave In To Temptation
Date: Sun, 8 Oct 1995 23:12:24 -0400

I tried mightily for a long time to resist getting a different
mouthpiece. I knew what had happened to others who had crossed the line
and tried fooling around with more than one mouthpiece. They spent
fortunes on their habit and eventually went insane.

A couple of days ago, I couldn't stand it anymore and gave in. I had been
very happy with my Vandoren B45 DOT. Great sound. Blows freely. Speaks on
demand. Why stray? But there was this Vandoren 5JB. Supposed to give you
greater flexibility and a bright edge when that's what you want. So I
bought the damn thing and tried it out.

I know I should be punished, but just the reverse happened. I love this
mouthpiece. It sounds brighter, which isn't always bad.

Still prefer the tonalquality of the B45, but the 5JB is much easier to
blow even with stiff reeds. Vandoren says you're not supposed to play harder
than a #2 reed on
the 5JB, which has the widest tip opening in Vandoren's line. But a #3
worked okay. Took some added breath support and a slightly firmer
embouchure, but, even so, it was freer. A #2 was a breeze to play.

Funny thing happened. Because of the freedom, I found myself relaxing
more. This opened my airway and took tension out of my fingers. I started
playing better than I ever had. And, playing better gave me more
confidence, which made me more relaxed. I got into this great cycle.

I'd be curious to know about anyone else's experience with this mouthpiece.

I'm so happy with the 5JB that I'm considering other possibilities.
Oh, God, help me!

fred cicetti
cicetti@-----.com