Klarinet Archive - Posting 001540.txt from 1998/04
From: Mark Bradley <markb@-----.com>
Subj: [klarinet] Re:Mouthpieces
Date: Mon, 27 Apr 1998 16:22:54 -0400
Hello to all.
I have noticed the recent discussion about plastic vs wood and greenline, etc. I agree
with everyone that it is up to the player to decide which is the best. I think, though,
that before deciding a clarinet plays well or not you need to try it with as many
different mouthpieces, as i have found that they make a huge difference in sound.
When I went from an old resonite Selmer to a brand new Buffet E-11, I was at first kind
of disappointed in the sound, and it was barely any improvement over the Selmer except
all of the screws and springs were working perfect. The mouthpiece, though was a
plastic stock mouthpiece that came with the instrument. I never thought much about it
until the NYSSMA solo festival, when it was suggested by one of the judges that I move
to a new mouthpiece. At the festival, the sound seemed scratchy and a smaller tone than
it should have.
I bought a hard rubber M13 from Vandoren (as suggested by some fine clarinetist
friends), and I have noticed a bigger improvement in sound than I did when I switched
from plastic to wood. Also, when my band director, who happens not to be a good
clarinet player, borrowed my old Selmer, the tone quality was less than expected. When
using the same Selmer with an artist mouthpiece (hard rubber, I think) the tone quality
now sounds as excellent as I have ever heard on a wood clarinet.
Now, the point of this...The new M13 had a different facing, tip opening, etc., which
probably made a big difference. Do you all think that plastic is worse than hard
rubber, or not. In my experience I would have to say yes, but I was wondering what you
all might have to say.
Also, I have read that crystal is very nice, and that metal mouthpieces, if they ever
were produced would be the ideal mouthpiece material.
Thanks,
Mark A. Bradley
markb@-----.com
http://www.slic.com/bradley/index.html
---------
How many sopranos does it take to change a lightbulb?
One. She holds the bulb and the world revolves around her.
---------------------------------------------------------------------
For additional commands, e-mail: klarinet-help@-----.org
For other problems, e-mail: klarinet-owner@-----.org
