Klarinet Archive - Posting 000204.txt from 1999/12

From: Shouryu Nohe <jnohe@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] buying a new mouthpiece
Date: Wed, 8 Dec 1999 09:26:32 -0500

On Wed, 8 Dec 1999 lauraruck@-----.com wrote:

> Ok, I'm looking for a new mouthpiece to buy. The cost has to be under
> $150. I am a senior in high school, and I've been playing for nine
> years. I have a buffet R-13. I'm using a Rovner ligature, and either
> Vandoran or Rico Grand Concert reeds. I have a Vandoran B-45 mouthpiece,
> but I really don't like it all that much. I'm going to go to a music
> store and try some mouthpieces out, but does anyone have any suggestions
> on what type I should look for?

What to look for isn't nearly as important as what you've already done -
gone and tried some out. Everyone has their own preferences; a setup that
works well for them. For me, it happens to be a Gennusa GE with V12 4.5
reeds. (I may switch to Black Masters shortly...) However, my roommate
uses a Larry Combs LC1, and I can't play on that thing to save my life.
He sits to my right, and the person to my left plays a Gennusa GE*. I
hate the GE* (but the love the GE; go fig...) - but she sounds great.
Now, for the most remarkable detail - all of our tone qualities blend
nicely. When we're in tune with each other (which is most of the time),
we sound like one clarinetist. (The 2nds and 3rds have a bit more trouble
blending, but us 1sts seem to have it down, and without much effort, I
might add.)

So the point? If I do as you ask, I would tell you to run out and
purchase a Gennusa GE (assuming you could still get them, which I don't
think one can anymore...). Then someone else on the list would tell you
to get a Pyne +. And another person would mention the Gregory Smith 1,
and another the Jerry Hall, and another might suggest the LC3, or a Clark
Fobes Nova, and a Ridenour, and a Bay MO-M, and a Portnoy, and a Johnston,
and a Morgan, and vintage Otto Link. (Yeah, Link clarinet mpcs...that's a
hoot, huh?)

And how would you know which one to choose? Well, you wouldn't until you
sat down and played each one. When I selected the GE, I had played the
GE, along with two Portnoys, a Fobes Debut, two Johnstons, one Gigliotti,
one Morgan, three Vandorens, and one Bay. I played them each for 5-10
minutes, trying four different reeds with each: a standard Vandie in my
strength, a V12 at my strength, a slightly softer and slightly harder V12.
Sometimes the reed can make all the difference in the playing of the
mouthpiece.

A mouthpiece is a costly investment, not only pennywise, but in the fact
that you will be playing this mouthpiece, which will be responsible for
your sound and continual development throughout your collegiate studies.
In haste, or by randomly following advice or your pocketbook, you may end
up selecting something that could very well hold you back, rather than
pushing you forward. Be very choosy, and do so by trying everything you
possibly can. If you live within driving range of a large scale outlet
like Muncy's, WWBW, IMS, Weiners, etc, by all means, find your way up
there and spend a day playing mouthpieces! It is a day you won't regret.
(As long as you take great care in your selection.)

J. Shouryu Nohe
http://web.nmsu.edu/~jnohe
Professor of SCSM102, New Mexico State Univ.
"If I wanted a 'job,' I'd have gone music ED, thank you very much!"

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