Klarinet Archive - Posting 000236.txt from 1998/11

From: Shouryu Nohe <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Mouthpieces
Date: Sat, 7 Nov 1998 12:57:12 -0500

On Fri, 6 Nov 1998, Vicki Coffman wrote:
> I am interested in your opinion, please...
>
> I play the Vandoren JB (JazzBoy), and I like it because it is
> very open, which gives me a lot of control. I play jazz, but I
> feel (perhaps erroneously) that I could play classical on the
> same mpc....

Well, as you asked, this is just my opinion - but I feel that you probably
can't play legit, at least not Western (american) legit on an open
mouthpiece. Maybe, but then not as well as those of us who don't. Most
professionals, I'm told, (and from playing mpcs modeled after pros:
Gennusa, Combs, etc) play fairly close mouthpieces in legit music. Same
goes for sax. Sure, a Meyer or a Link gives you the crisp cutting sound
you want in Jazz, but for the rounder, richer, 'dark' sound in legit,
closer mouthpieces such as the Teal, Ridenour, or those new Caravans are
common among those I've met.

It just seems unlikely, from the experience I've had and from those I've
met, to be able to play legit with near the quality you can with the close
facing/strong reed set up.

> BTW, I am a doubler--sax... (tenor, alto, soprano).

Me too - all saxes, all clarinets. I can look forward to playing Eb
clarinet in one piece and BBb contra on the next when the spring rolls
around. *groan*

J. Shouryu Nohe
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
One of Key's 30,000 Friends
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