Klarinet Archive - Posting 000362.txt from 2003/02

From: CBA <clarinet10001@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] r-13 barrel length
Date: Tue, 11 Feb 2003 15:46:31 -0500

Molly,

I wouldn't say no to ALL Vandoren mouthpieces, just no to the 13
series, unless you are playing on an instrument that is VERY
sharp. The regular Vandorens (non-13 series) play a little flat
up to most mouthpieces on the market, but are workable. These
are either the basic mouthpieces or the Profile 88 (the series
13 part is independent of the other choices in the Vandoren
mouthpieces, and are basically just a flatter version of them.)

I have students on Clark Fobes "Debut" mouthpieces, and also on
Vandoren M15 and M30 mouthpieces. As far as my playing goes, I
have a variety of mouthpieces that I have used recently on the
search for the "holy grail" including 2 Clark Fobes "San
Francisco" mouthpieces on my Eb and C clarinets, a Vandoren M15,
and a new Chadash-Hill mouthpiece I like a lot, and am using
currently for Bb/A work.

If you are a starving artist/student, the Fobes Debut *could* be
a place to start. At around $30-35, it is a WONDERFUL
mouthpiece. It would be a LESS specific mouthpiece, so as a
music major, I wouldn't necessarily use it for that kind of
work, because you should at that point be directing yourself
toward a specific sound with a specific mouthpiece, not a
beginner mouthpiece. If you can go a little higher, Vandoren's
are hard to beat for the price. Between $50-60, the Vandorens
are the most reasonably priced mouthpieces I have found for a
relatively consistent mouthpiece. I would suggest trying the
M13, the M15, and the M30, along with a 5RV Lyre, although it
REALLY depends on your playing style which Vandoren you like.

Clark Fobes Nova mouthpiece is great at $90, but that might be
out of your price range. Most anything I would suggest would be
from $100-300, so if the $90 is out of your range, I wouldn't
even think about those. I have used Hite mouthpieces with good
results, and they run in the $60s, but I am not that familiar
with the current facings, so you are on your own.

Usually, if all else fails, Vandoren is a good brand to fall
back on. I would just try out MANY of each mouthpiece, as you
have to play a few of an individual model to find the one good
for YOU. Narrow down the models to 3 or 4, and then get as many
as you can of each of those 4 finalists to decide. Just stay
away from the 13 series!

Kelly Abraham
Woodwinds - New York City
--- Elbennet@-----.com wrote:
> Kelly,
>
> Since you no longer recommend the 13 series Vandoren
> mouthpieces, what do you recommend?
>
> I need to get a new mouthpiece for several reasons and do not
> have the money (I'm a poor college student) to buy a bunch of
> them to try out.
>
> I'm currently a third year economics major and am considering
> adding a music ed major, so I soon will be playing a whole
> heck of alot, and need a better mouthpiece.
>
> thanks a bunch,
> Molly

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