 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Quido
Date: 2000-02-22 04:31
I'm new to this organization, so I have a bunch of questions to throw out over the next few days =)
Well, right now I'm considering a new mouthpiece. Currently I'm playing on an older Buffet R13, using a 5RV Lyre, and Vandoren V-12 4 or 4 1/2. My mouthpiece is on loan from my teacher until I go out and buy one for myself. Before this mouthpiece, I played on some mouthpiece that came with my Selmer Signet 100(?). I really like the 5RV Lyre, especially for low and "long" notes, but I noticed my high notes(particularly the f# and e) haven't been coming out as solid as with my old, chipped mouthpiece. I'm compared the 2, and although I prefer the 5RV Lyre, the battered Selmer moutpiece really sounds better on some of the higher notes. What mouthpieces do you reccomend I try out that can help me keep a rich tone and still bring out those high notes? I appreciate all replies =)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Lorie
Date: 2000-02-22 17:54
You might contact Bill Street at the University of Southern Maine. He makes wonderful mouthpieces. I have one of his handmade mouthpieces, which are a bit more expensive, and it is wonderful: nice dark sound and great response.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 2000-02-22 18:05
From what folks say here on this BBS, the Selmer mp isn't too bad at all. A good mp that's chipped, especially in the very tip, really isn't worth using anymore. You are paying lots of money for the first millimeter or so of the tip of the mp to be absolutely perfect, so the reed can beat against it and sound good doing it. Think of having your favorite music CD with lots of great tunes on it. Then, it gets scratched a lot. There is still great music on it, but its worthless.
General trends for mps are:
1. Medium to close mp creates a lower, darker sound. These mps gernerally take softer reeds.
2. Open mp creates a higher, brighter sound. These mps generally take harder reeds.
There are some good references for relative mp opening measurements. For example, the Vandoren Web Site has a pretty good description and diagram. Also, the Woodwind and Brasswind catalog has a good cross brand comparison chart, so you can compare brand x versus brand y models of the same relative measurements.
Generally speaking, the Vandoren mass produced mps are pretty good. You may need to have it tweaked by a pro or a pro woodwind tech to bring out its best behavior.
There are lots of other excellent brands and models of mps, with great examples of beginner models (Hite Premier comes readily to mind and your original Selmer gets high marks here, price range of $25 to $50 US retail), intermediate models (the Vandoren mps are an example here $50 to $95 US retail), and the pro models (typically hand finished by Smith, Borbeck, etc., starting at about $150 and going sky high from there). As you step up in quality and amount of personal workmanship, the quality of the produced tone greatly improves, but the price goes up accordingly.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-22 18:09
paul wrote:
-------------------------------
[snip]
General trends for mps are:
1. Medium to close mp creates a lower, darker sound. These mps gernerally take softer reeds.
2. Open mp creates a higher, brighter sound. These mps generally take harder reeds.
-------------------------------
You have this backwards. Medium to closed mp takes harder reeds while open mp takes softer reeds.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 2000-02-22 21:57
Dee:
Thanks for fixing the error. That's what I get for letting my fingers do the talking quicker than my brain does the thinking. 
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Gary Van Cott
Date: 2000-02-23 20:34
There are several approaches you can take. One is to order mouthpieces on trial from a company like the Woodwind and Brasswind. If you buy one you don't pay any extra charge other than the return shipping.
A second is to visit a custom mouthpiece maker (you could do this by mail too but I recommend doing it in person). When I did this the maker had about 20 to try. They may also be able to make modificiations on the spot. There are custom mouthpiece makers in several different parts of the country so you may be able to find one near you. Of course these mouthpieces are generally about 2-3 times the price of a mail order Vandoren.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
