Klarinet Archive - Posting 000111.txt from 1998/11

From: Roger Garrett <rgarrett@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Starter Clarinet?
Date: Wed, 4 Nov 1998 20:16:27 -0500

On Wed, 4 Nov 1998, Dee D. Hays wrote:
> Again I also agree on mouthpieces, there's a lot of good ones. I like the
> Vandoren B45 but the others mentioned are all good and its more a matter of
> personal preference.
>
> I disagree slightly on reed strength. Adults are much stronger than kids to
> start with so my recommendation is to start on the equivalent of a Vandoren
> 2. Such as the Vandoren itself, or a Mitchell Lurie 2.5 or a Rico Royal
> 2.5. Plain regular Ricos aren't particularly pleasant to work with and of
> course Flavoreeds are just a gimmick.

Rarely do I find myself disagreeing with Dee.....and on this unusual
occassion, it is only because I have taught beginning adults - !

The Mitchell Lurie 2.5 is actually softer than a Rico Royal 2.5. Beyond
that, the size 2 is to help the adult student get out the correct sound
without overblowing the 12th - which is VERY common with all beginners -
most notably adults.

Regarding mouthpieces - just a small disagreement because I know many
people like the B45 - I just have never liked the B45, the way it sounds,
or the way it feels. For beginners especially, it is much too open - and
you will get the 12ths out much more frequently with such an animal.
Closed isn't bad - 5RV or even the old 2RV's were terrific. Nothing more
open than a 1.20 mm opening will do. The B45 is 1.5 - and greater (in
some cases).

> All the suggestions have been good so it's really a matter of just going out
> and trying.

So.....with that said, I guess I still like Dee's answer - just a
qualification of that answer here!

Roger Garrett
IWU

(see Steve? I spelled it correctly that time!)

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