Klarinet Archive - Posting 000137.txt from 2002/03

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Interested in buying a new clarinet
Date: Sat, 9 Mar 2002 09:15:59 -0500

At 02:48 AM 3/9/2002 -0800, Kelly Abraham wrote:
>...6. Make sure you try out AT LEAST 3 different types of
>mouthpieces on each instrument you try (rule of thumb
>would be to try out instruments using Vandoren
>mouthpieces, since they will be the most accessible.)
>If using Vandoren mouthpieces, try a B45 or B45 DOT
>for the first type, a 5RV or 5RV LYRE for the second
>type, and an M13, M13 LYRE, or an M15 for the third
>type of mouthpiece. You won't necessarily buy a
>Vandoren mouthpiece at that time. Find the instrument,
>then try mouthpieces of all types and brands to find
>the right one for you. These suggestions for
>mouthpiece diversity will keep you from discrediting a
>good instrument that you tried out with an
>incompatible mouthpiece.

Good advice, as was pretty much everything in your much longer post, but I
would recommend greater diversity in your mouthpiece trials. First of all,
always START with the setup you are currently using. It eliminates one
very significant variable when trying out a new instrument for the first
time. Secondly, I find that all Vandoren mouthpieces tend to have the same
intonation characteristics for me: flat in the altissimo. On the other
hand, a B45 balances out PERFECTLY with the SHARP altissimo of a Selmer
Balanced Tone I recently picked up. So I would emphasize your point of
trying several mouthpieces of DIFFERING brands to find what works best with
a given instrument.

Bill Hausmann bhausmann1@-----.net
451 Old Orchard Drive
Essexville, MI 48732 ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is TOO LOUD!

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