Klarinet Archive - Posting 000363.txt from 2006/03

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] sound question
Date: Sun, 19 Mar 2006 21:04:59 -0500

In a message dated 3/19/2006 7:35:49 PM Central Standard Time,
peterstoll2000@-----.ca writes:
I've come to notice that
many of the players around here whom I respect in this
regard are using a fairly close mouthpiece (ie.the
Vandoren M30 et al) with reeds in the 4 to 4 1/2
range. But whenever I've tried this combination
myself, a very thin sound results. Same thing with
some of the custom pieces from the major makers.>>

Peter -

I had somewhat of a revelation here recently. As you know, I am very
fortunate in being able to work with some of the world's greatest clarinetists. Due
to some of this contact, I have made at least one new mouthpiece with a very
close tip, and I have personally started playing on harder reeds.

Two things shook me up recently.

One was a comment by Russ Dagon. I feel confident in quoting this, as the
comment was made in a public Master Class. The quite was "I have never used a
reed harder than a Vandoren 3 1/2"

The other was a visit from another world class clarinetist who, after
working on Basset Horn mouthpieces, wanted to try some soprano clarinet
mouthpieces. I eagerly brought out my "closest-tip" mouthpiece.

The reaction - from a player who I profoundly respect was basically - BLEAH!

Not to be discouraged, I brought out another model, still close, but not
less than 1.00. Same reaction - BLEAH!

I then brought out my K13 mouthpiece, which at 1.05 tip 1.06 is medium, on
my scale at least, and he said -- "this is more like it!"

Basically - we are all different. World Class players do not ALL play on
super close mouthpieces with boards for reeds.

I tell customers "Nobody plays your clarinet but you. You pick what works
and what sounds best, no matter what any one expert recommends".

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetXpress.com
World-class clarinet mouthpieces

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org