Klarinet Archive - Posting 000285.txt from 1997/08

From: deerich@-----.net
Subj: Re: mouthpiece and reed freaks
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 17:02:49 -0400

GrabnerWG@-----.com wrote:
>
> In regard to the comments by GT and others, I would like to express my
> personal beliefs and experience.
>
> I regularly play my Bb, A, Eb soprano, and bass clarinets in local amateur
> groups. I now make my living in the computer industry, but I played
> professionally for 10 years out of college.
>
> It's true, the Vandoren B45 is a good, solid, basic mouthpiece. I own several
> of them. However, to get the flexibility AND depth of tone I wanted/required,
> it was absolutely necessary to go to an established mouthpiece maker. I chose
> Robert Borbeck, of Nevada. He made me my three mouthpieces Bb/A, Eb soprano,
> and Bass, with an eye for uniformity of feel, resistence etc.
>
> After a few days of practise, my playing inproved greatly in uniformity of
> sound, flexibilty of dynamics and range, and speed of articulation. These
> mouthpieces took me to a new level of playing which no matter how much I
> practised on the B45 mouthpieces I just could not reach!
>
> Recent adoption of Rovner ligatures and Vandoren V-12 reeds have also had a
> very salutary effect.
>
> In my opinon, a fine clarinet is a joy.....but the sound....the tone.....is
> made by the embouchure/mouthpiece/reed/ligature combination. I couldn't
> disagree more with Mr. GT.
>
> I make no claim that my current set-up is the "one" for anyone but myself.
> But to say everyone should just stop their search and all play on one
> mouthpiece is as ridiculous as saying we should all wear the same size shoes!

Actually I took Mr. GT's letter with a different interpretation. I am
sure we have all seen many cases where some one is a beginner or
intermediate yet they are embarking on the search for the "perfect reed
and mouthpiece" thinking that this will make them better players. To
me, he just seemed a little tired of that and was blowing off steam. For
players at this level, a high quality, standard mouthpiece and reed are
more than sufficient while they polish tone and technique.

Pro's and very advanced amateurs are another story. These people (and
there is no doubt that you are in this group) can indeed benefit from
custom mouthpieces and reeds.

But there are way too many players with only a couple of years of
development on the clarinet who are asking about such. Here it is valid
to say go with an xyz brand (I'ld happen to say the vandoren B45 also
but fill in any quality mouthpiece you like). These students need to
focusing on their practice sessions, not tracking down the elusive,
perfect mouthpiece.

Dee Hays
deerich@-----.net