Klarinet Archive - Posting 000842.txt from 1999/05

From: "Gary L. Smith" <garysmith@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Marcellus M-13
Date: Tue, 18 May 1999 03:19:21 -0400

At 05:51 PM 5/15/99 EDT, you wrote:
>I have a Marcellus M-13 mouthpiece, and I can't seem to find the right
>combination with the ligature and reed. Currently I'm using the rovner dark
>ligature with the V-12 reeds, but I'm not completely satisfied with it. So I
>was wondering what combo would be best for the M-13, or should I just get a
>new mouthpiece?

I have the same mouthpiece as my primary mp for my R13s, and I use the
Rovner and Mitchell Lurie 3.5 reeds. Not sure what flavor of Rovner I have,
but I think it's just the stock, least expensive model. I'm somewhat of a
heretic on ligatures - I think they may modify feel, but am not convinced
they alter tone in a way perceptible to another listener, even a trained one.

In what way are you dissatisfied with it? That might help some of us make
recommendations. Swapping setup info is interesting, but not always the
quickest path to solving specific problems.

Wading in blind here--

- have you tried a plain old dime-store metal ligature for comparison?
While you may not like it for routine use, it might clarify the issue of
whether you like the Rovner. While I like mine, some find that it makes it
harder to feel focused in tone production. I wish I could state that
better, but it is a "feel" thing.

- have you tried different strength reeds? Different brands? It's really
not that expensive to try several, and this is really the only answer to
finding what works for you. As others have stated, the M13 is not a very
open mp, so it should tolerate medium to thick reeds, but that also depends
on your embouchure level of training and strength. Don't be afraid or
ashamed to play a lesser strength reed!

-------------------------------------------

Gary Smith

garysmith@-----.com

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