Klarinet Archive - Posting 000283.txt from 2001/08

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: Vandoren B45/46 mouthpieces
Date: Mon, 20 Aug 2001 11:57:22 -0400

Annie, I'm going to respond, since your comments in part were directed to me:

You said:

<<Walter, I am reluctant to say anything at all about mouthpieces, because everybody is so opinionated about them, and many people, especially mouthpiece makers,>>

Yes, we all have our own opinions. However, I do not believe anyone has THE answer that will work for everyone.

<< .....honestly believe that most Vandoren mouthpieces are cranked out by a bunch of substandard, incompetent idiots and are so inconsistant that they are practically unplayable. I personally don't
like Vandoren B-45's for me.....>>

You know, I just don't spend anytime with Vandoren mouthpieces. I have owned some in the past, most have drifted on elsewhere. Some were good, some so-so. I had a Vandoren Eb mouthpiece which was VERY good, for example. Now, it was made in the '70's, so I don't know what that says for mouthpieces made today.

<<My student who just got into the Pikes Peak Youth Wind Symphony, plays a B-45 that she had before she started studying with me, and she sounds
terrific. >>

Great! If it works, don't knock it.

<<Many months ago when we were talking about mouthpieces on the list, a whole bunch of people got on my case when I recommended the 5 RV Lyre.>>

I have examined a grand total of two 5 RV Lyres. In both cases I was favorably impressed. I have a good friend who bought one and she sounds really fine on it.

<< I was also criticized for selecting a mouthpiece because Jon Manasse plays it. So I'm gonna keep it a secret of which mouthpiece I play. If you folks ever hear me play, you can decide for yourself if you
like the way I sound or if I should get a new mouthpiece.>>

As HAT said in a recent post, most of the tone comes from the player, not the equipment. I believe this. However, I DO firmly believe that equipment can adversly or favorably effect certain aspects of your playing.

I recently found a mouthpiece, that for ME, makes articulation much easier. Other aspects of the mouthpiece such as tone and tuning were agreeable, so I have adopted this one to play on in the coming concert season.

No one can tell YOU what mouthpiece to play, it is an intensely personal decision, and requires a lot of thought and experimentation.

That's what I think.

I won't comment on the jazz portions of your post, I don't make a jazz mouthpiece and don't play jazz. (I appreciate it, it's just not my thing.)

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com

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