Klarinet Archive - Posting 000254.txt from 2009/10

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausmann1@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Clarinet Mouthpieces
Date: Sat, 24 Oct 2009 21:45:16 -0400

At 05:55 PM 10/24/2009, you wrote:

>Hello. I have recently had trouble with my mouthpiece and reed
>setup, so my clarinet tutor had me try some of his old ones(after he
>washed them). Of those that he had me try, my favorites were the
>Ridenour(I don't know which type) and the Vandoran B45.
>Unfortunately, now I am rather disappointed with my own mouthpiece
>and hope to get a new one sometime soon. I have been doing some
>research, and so far the ones that seem the best to me(disregarding
>price) are the Behn, the Ridenours, and the Vandorans. I would
>prefer a mouthpiece that is rather closed, because I like to play
>higher level reeds. Please, I would like any information available
>on mouthpieces.

You may be thinking backwards. You like to play hard reeds BECAUSE
your current mouthpiece is fairly closed, not the other way
around. You should match the reed to the mouthpiece, but chose the
mouthpiece to match the music you play. Classical performers tend to
use relatively closed facings and hard reeds, but jazz players use
open facings and softer reeds, with band performers usually in the
middle. The B45 is actually relatively open, but keep in mind it is
by no means the only model Vandoren makes, and some are much more closed.

Personally (and I stress PERSONALLY) I cannot play Vandoren
mouthpieces in tune to save my life. Every one I have ever tried
goes flat as I approach the altissimo. Maybe it is just because I do
not play a Buffet clarinet. I do not have the problem on Selmer,
Woodwind, Hite, or pretty much anything EXCEPT Vandorens. Go figure.

Bill Hausmann

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

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