Klarinet Archive - Posting 000381.txt from 2006/03

From: fgarcia@-----.net
Subj: Re: [kl] sound question
Date: Mon, 20 Mar 2006 06:41:21 -0500

Peter,
I've always held the belief that eventually, I could get anything I'm
playing sound the way I want it to sound. I wouldn't dis your B40. I
spoke to Alessandro Carbonare a few years back and he was playing on a
B40.

I think that if I were having the problems you're describing, I'd start
practicing with a double lip embouchure. This really forces you to
re-balance your embouchure if that's a problem... and helps to diagnose
a biting problem. Also, I would practice overtones, playing notes in
the 2nd, 3rd, and higher without the register key. This helps to make
sure voicing in the different ranges of the clarinet are working for
you.

I feel a bit strange biting at this post because I know you play
professionally and I wouldn't want you to feel insulted by suggestions
like this. But I was "a natural" as a kid. Sure I had wonderful
teachers, but in the end I was going to play the way I wanted to play.
When I got stuck... I got stuck. I had to learn ways to get un-stuck.
These two are the best ways for me to re-find my center.

I play on an M13 lyre and am quite happy with V12 size 3-1/2. 4s tend
to be a tiny bit too stiff for me. Different strokes for different
folks. Focusing on overtones and playing double lip for awhile helps
give the control of your sound back to you. Perhaps you'll find that
B40 is doing just fine for you.

Hope this helps.
Frank
On Mar 19, 2006, at 7:35 PM, Peter Stoll wrote:

> Hi everyone,
>
> I hope y'all don't mind, I could use some group wisdom
> here. I'm a professional player and getting a
> reasonable amount of work, but have always felt
> dissatisfied with my sound. 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.
>
> I've resorted for the last few years to using a B40 13
> (low pitch) with V12 4 1/2's. Chadash barrel on a
> Buffet Prestige RC. I've played most of the brands of
> clarinets out there, and more mouthpieces than I ever
> want to remember :)
>
> Now I know that one size doesn't fit all, but I just
> don't feel I'm getting the depth and centre I hear in
> others. I don't think I'm biting an unusual amount,
> but I'm starting to think there may be a certain type
> of facial physionomy that lends itself to making the
> best characteristic tone on the instrument, and that
> you may just be out of luck if you didn't win that
> particular genetic lottery.
>
> I'm reluctant to keep chasing every piece of equipment
> on the planet without a clearer sense of direction to
> embark on. My tonal ideals would be along the lines of
> David Shifrin and Larry Combs. If anyone has any
> reactions or comments, I'd be interested!
>
> Thanks a lot,
>
> Peter
>
> http://mail.yahoo.com
>
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>

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