 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wlwg
Date: 2005-08-01 07:36
buffet rc prestige Bb
morgan symphonic rm06 mouthpiece
zonda reeds 3/3.5
rovner ed ligature
or do you have any better combination for me to improve?
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-08-01 11:58
Start with the mouthpiece and reeds, on your current clarinet.
Often the contribution of one element will be masked by others.
If your clarinet is in good repair, you should be able to discern changes contributed by your reed and mouthpiece.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-08-01 12:23
Is this combination good?
Florsheim size 9D, fully cushioned footbed, leather soled shoes
32 waist, Levi khaki trousers with elastic black web belt
Izod 3 button knit polo shirt
I wouldn't be so focused (read:insecure) about your equipment/ set-up.
How many times have we all admired a clarinetist, then found out the details of their equipment choice and said to ourselves:
"Wow...he's only playing on a (fill in the blank), my (fill in the blank) costs much more than that."
If your choice of equipment feels comfortable and allows you full expression to produce the mental sound picture which you are striving for, the combination is fine.
Only you can know that...GBK
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Author: rc_clarinetlady
Date: 2005-08-01 13:18
GBK..........my thoughts exactly.
wlwg,......if it works........don't fix it........if it doesn't........try something else.......and clarinet players are notorious for "trying something else"!
You're the only one that can tell if you like the sound, the feel, the response etc...... The whole set up is very personal. A private teacher is someone who would be of help to you, though.
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-08-01 14:58
What a freeking preppy you are, GBK.
I assume the Florsheims are brown penny loafers
Post Edited (2005-08-01 14:59)
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Author: Terry Stibal
Date: 2005-08-01 15:16
Henry Lazarus spend his entire career playing on quality "Albert system" horns. I don't think that there were ever any complaints about his style and sound, but I wonder how many conversions were made back to the "old" style of clarinets as a result of a "What's your setup?" question directed to him.
Fully 90% of what makes up "your sound" is north of the barrel, and probably 90% of that is north of the mouthpiece and reed. Sure, the entire thing has to work right and "well", but I've seen pros pick up another horn in an emergency and perform "up to spec", regardless of the equipment used.
It's great to talk about this stuff because it's tangible and can be written down. But, it's not the major factor in what makes up your ability.
leader of Houston's Sounds Of The South Dance Orchestra
info@sotsdo.com
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2005-08-01 18:17
This setup seems pretty good on paper. I thilnk you have to consider what you sound like with this stuff. Record yourself. Play for other clarinetists. Play duets and record yourself. Not everyone sounds great on clarinet. I think there are equipment changes that one can make to help you go in a certain direction....ie more focused, louder, less strident, bigger tone etc. It all depends how you sound now and what you want to sound like. Equipment can help to a degree. John
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-08-01 18:18
GBK,
I hope the Izod three button polo is a nice nautical blue or perhaps a cool forest green. I did not kow you were such a fashion leader for all of us preppy lads from the 50s and 60s.
FYI, it has been many moons since I had a 32 inch waist! You must have given the white bucs (or the saddle shoes) a rest!
Cool daddy!
HRL
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-08-01 18:25
buffet rc prestige Bb ---- no good! Too expensive.
morgan symphonic rm06 mouthpiece --- no good! Not used by the pros.
zonda reeds 3/3.5 --- no good! Too soft.
rovner ed ligature --- no good! Damps the highs too much.
But the COMBINATION? It's terrific! Assuming you can play it.
Like GBK says, don't sweat it --- if it works for you, it's good. Spend your time practicing and playing instead of worrying.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-08-01 18:39
Hank Lehrer wrote:
> FYI, it has been many moons since I had a 32 inch waist!
5 words: Sugar kills, Atkins was correct ...GBK
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2005-08-01 18:57
wlwg wrote:
>>buffet rc prestige Bb
>>morgan symphonic rm06 mouthpiece
>>zonda reeds 3/3.5
>>rovner ed ligature
>>
>>
>>or do you have any better combination for me to improve?
Please send whatever doesn't work for you to my address. Personally I'd dump the RC and use a standard R13. Send the RC to my address. If the R13 doesn't work, you can send that dog to me as well! I'll make sure I dispose of it properly.
Seriously, why ask the question? If you don't feel qualified to make that decision yourself, what are you doing with this equipment? If you are just thinking about possible combinations you can work with, why choose this selection?
Just wondering out loud!
Matt
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-08-01 22:27
Hi,
The equipment I use is probably not like anyone else on this BB.
1. Leblanc L200: About a perfect clarinet; well in tune, responds well, fits my hands, cost $280 on eBay and then a $100 repad.
2. Stowell Wells Schneider B2: A clear ringing tone that several of my clarinet pals think is just about perfect, I love it, cost was $65 on eBay (replaces a Portnoy BP02 that I got in 1972 and paid about $25 for but still use as a backup along with a $40 Buffet C Crown)
3. A Gigliotti ligature that I modified with a Dremel; pretty cheap ligature that I keep coming back to after trying some of my others (Harrison, Luyben, Bonades of all color and styles, Luries, VDs, etc. ), cost was about $8.
4. Reeds: I must be the only person in the world that plays La Voz MH since I can buy these for about $7 a box. I have about 8 boxes stashed along side about a dozen boxes of VD Blue box reeds.
The sound and response I get with this cheap setup: PRICELESS!!!
HRL
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-08-01 22:39
I see this thread as a back door way of starting another equipment naming marathon.
[ Don't try it ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif) - GBK ]
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-08-01 22:51
Larryb,
I hope not as I resisted getting involved in the "equipment naming marathon." Actually, I have a whole lot of other real cheap but really great equipment in my closet. No one wants to know about it, I'm sure.
However, if I start a "I Play Cheaper Stuff Than You Do" extension to this thread, that would be pretty interesting.
HRL
Post Edited (2005-08-02 00:00)
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2005-08-02 15:28
I was visiting with Sherman Friedland the other day about mouthpieces and was shocked to learn that he often uses the stock ones that come with the instrument. Totally sent me into la la land.
I prefer the standard R-13 to the RC or the Prestige. Never tried a Morgan and use Greg Smith and Walter Grabner Kaspars and BG Super Revelation ligs.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-08-02 17:06
Of course GBK was referring to his '50s outfit. Man, those Florsheim cordovans with leather soles could really slide around the gym floor on Prom nights. The Izod was cool in summer but for winter you needed one of those snowflake or reindeer design wool sweaters. Oh, about the clarinet outfit I'd suggest a Vito V40,Woodwind mp ,Luyben lig. and Rico reeds.
Bob Draznik
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-08-02 17:18
BobD wrote:
> Of course GBK was referring to his '50s outfit. Man, those
> Florsheim cordovans with leather soles could really slide
> around the gym floor on Prom nights.
By coincidence, I just recently received a call to play alto sax for one of those traveling authentic 50's Doo-Wop revival shows when it comes to my area in 2 weeks.
Now where were those penny loafers? ...GBK
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-08-03 02:47
.....right alongside the argyle socks....
Bob Draznik
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Author: sherman
Date: 2005-10-18 00:53
"Is this combination good?" Well, it could very well be, however I would speak more to the statement about using stock mouthpieces, which is perfectly terrific if in fact the mouthpiece plays for you. Not using them because you have read about this and that mouthpiece is simply unfortunate.
Years ago,I spoke with Benny Goodman when he came to solo with the Milwaukee Symphony Orchestra. I picked him up at the airport and took him around,and actually rehearsd his concerti with the orchestra, wound up a friend who was asked to listen for balance at a concert he did for the Fountainebleau Schools at the Gardner Museum in Boston.
I asked him what mouthpiece he used? "I don't know", he said and took a look. It was nameless, He certainly had no problem with it and it was Benny and he was the idle of millions of clarinetists.
Fact is that mouthpieces were not that much a topic of discussion. Music was, Sound was, and certainly reeds were.
I feel it is necessary that we do not allow our students to grab this mouthpiece fetish idea and run with it, lest they spend a life-long search for a non-existant rainbow.
the mini-world of Bormann Barrels, Krapster mouthpieces, and looney ligatures is beyond the pale. The art is music, very pure and simple.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-10-18 01:26
Back then the mouthpieces were good enough that players didn't feel the need to obsess over them.
Kasper, Chedeville, Bonade among others were commonplace......
To use a stock mouthpiece that came with the Clarinet means that you enjoy working quite hard to achieve the net effect.
I'd rather my setup be efficient.......
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-10-18 02:24
This brings to my mind the question about whether the "mass" of clarinetists asked this question over and over again 50 years ago.
Were clarinetists of days gone by as obsessive as some seem to be now???
Katrina
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-10-18 15:05
Well maybe 50 years I wouldn't really know but, come on Katrina, are you telling us that when you hung around Marks' Music the talk wasn't all Buffet clarinets, Kaspar mouthpieces, Morre reeds and Bonade ligatures?
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2005-10-18 15:37
LOL, Jack...
Even in the mid-80's it was only the reeds. I never heard of Kaspar until relatively recently...
And there certainly was no talk about Buffet. It was simply the only option!
Now, by the time I got to Oberlin (86-90) the clarinet studio definitely obsessed about lots of "stuff."
Katrina
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