Klarinet Archive - Posting 000462.txt from 1996/02

From: David Gilman <dgilman@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: V-12's on Gregory Smith M.P.
Date: Thu, 15 Feb 1996 13:22:52 -0500

Emily,

I have had exactly the same problems. I played V-12's for a while (3-1/2),
and I also found them to wear out after a few weeks, with rotation. My
teacher said I sounded stuffy with them as well. I really like the response
of Vandoren Traditionals (also 3-1/2), but he and I both found my sound too
bright (piercing, lacking in richness). I tried a box of Vandoren
Traditionals in the no. 4 strength, and I found them unplayably hard. So, I
made the decision to try something else. I went to a Glotin G-III series
(3), and they have proven the best compromise I've seen. They have a
slightly thicker heel than the Traditionals, but not quite as thick as the
V-12's. The sound is fuller and richer than the Trad's. But, I have to work
on some of them to make them optimal. Scraping the area within 1/16"-1/8" of
the tip plus the shoulders with 280 or 400 grade sandpaper seems to work
pretty well. [600 grade just doesn't take off enough wood for me.] They hold
up well to regular use.

Two years ago, I was playing no. 5 reeds (Vandoren Trad. and Glotin). I
liked the tone color I was getting, but I had no dynamics and little
endurance. Whenever I tried a softer reed, I was afraid of squeaks, and I
couldn't stand my sound. My teacher let me make the transition gradually,
but I did have to force myself to use softer reeds. Now, I can articulate,
change dynamics, phrase, and change colors better than ever. Plus, I have
more tone to work with. It was a difficult transition, but very worthwile.

As to why I needed so much resistance at one time, I don't know for
certain, but I suspect the main reason is that I have the kind of ears
that pick up the higher partials in an instrument's tonal spectrum very
efficiently. That's why it was such a shock try softer reeds in the
first place: I just heard too much stridence at first. But eventually,
you learn to control that stridence. And now, when I play a no. 5 for a
test, it sounds dull. I guess it's all a matter of what you're used to.

BTW, I use a Vandoren 5RV Lyre mouthpiece and a standard Selmer
ligature. I'd like to find a mouthpiece a bit more open, but I haven't
found anything that really grabs me yet. Do you think the Greg Smith is
really worth the extra $$?

David Gilman

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Wed, 14 Feb 1996 18:18:26 AST4ADT
From: EMILY MARLOW <002828M@-----.CA>
To: Multiple recipients of list KLARINET <KLARINET@-----.BITNET>
Subject: V-12's on Gregory Smith M.P.

Hello Everyone
I recently purchased a Gregory Smith mouthpiece( the 1* facing)
and it's working great for me. It was recommended to me that I should
play V-12's with it for maximum results . Having tried these
reeds with my previous mp( Robert Marcellus), I found that they
"pooped-out" rather quickly and just plain wouldn't work at all after
that. I soon switched back to regular vandorens which for some reason
I was more comfortable with. However, with my new mouthpiece I decided
to give them another try and perhaps finally get to experience the
reed euphoria I've been reading about with regards to the v-12.
Ah! Same thing again. I bought a box, played them in orchestra
rehearsal that very day and they sounded awesome. They were so beefy
and resonant, I loved it! I was sure the reed gods had blessed me at
last. I even rotated the suckers, which is something I find hard to
do. Anyway, they have all died since then with minimal playing time
on them.
Is it just a coincidence or do v-12's not work for me in
genaral?
Also, anyone who plays my horn finds my reeds way too hard. My
teacher and a principal symphony player included. They're the regular
Vandoren 4's. Why do I feel I need so much resistance to control my
tone and how can I learn to play on a softer reed?
I can't stand playing on reeds that sound wanky when I play louder
than a mf.
I would love to be able to sound the way I want with less effort than
I am using now.
Does anyone have any commentssuggestions for any of my questions?
Thanks in advance,
Emily
P.S.If you wish, you can e-mail me directly at 002828m@-----.ca

   
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