 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Stephanie H.
Date: 2000-07-22 02:13
Okay. Here's the thing. I'm playing on a Nuncie mouthpiece that my band director gave me cuz my other was cracked. It's better than the other, but it isn't that great. Anyways, I bought a Vandoren (3) and tried playing on it but I couldn't get anything to come out. But when I tried playing on a Nuncie reed my director gave me, it played fine. Can someone tell me if maybe I shouldn't use Vandorens on this mouthpiece or was it just that reed? Thanx.
Stephanie
P.S. I was thinking about getting another mp anyways, does anyone reccommend anything that around $50 or less that plays well?
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Author: Stephen
Date: 2000-07-22 02:30
You sound like a very smart person!! It is probably the reed! Hope this helps!
Sincerely,
Stephen~
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-07-22 13:16
Stephanie,
There a few inexpensive mouthpieces that are very good:
1) Pyne Polycrystal (I use one - it's very nice sounding and looks cool with a Spriggs ligature & Legere reed :^)
2) Hite Premier (I've bought this for a number of students)
3) Fobes Debut (my youngest uses a Debut sax mouthpiece)
There are more (ClarinetXpress, Richard Hawkins( - these I'm familiar with. Check the Resources pages here on Sneezy (Resources->Retail) to find more.
Pyne, Hite, Fobes, Spriggs, Legere and clarinetXpress are, of course, sponsors of Sneezy.org.
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Author: Katherine Pincock
Date: 2000-07-22 13:19
That's almost definitely a reed problem; the only other thing that could cause what you describe is if the Vandoren reed slipped far enough off-centre on the table of the mouthpiece. Vandoren reeds have a lot of variation in them--I think Vandoren says that in a box of 3 reeds, for example, it includes a few reeds ranging from 2.7 to 3.3--and there are times you get one that just won't work on your setup, so if you want to keep trying Vandorens, it's better to get a box at a time--although, unfortunately, more expensive.
As for mouthpieces, I can't speak for price, because I've only ever seen them at Canadian prices, but Vandoren's mouthpieces are quite good, and they offer a lot of different facings, so they're easier to match with the instrument you have. If you can, it's worth going to a music store and trying several--most stores will let you do this. They may be more expensive than you're thinking of (the one I play now cost $88 Cdn), but I think it's worth it. I'm particularly fond of my B45 13--it's very open and free, so it's easy to get dynamic contrast out of, and I find the tuning works really well.
Anyway, I hope that helps!
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Author: Paul Lester
Date: 2000-07-22 15:30
Stephanie;
I suggest you try either a Hite Premier or a Fobes Debut. They only come in one facing, which is ideal for a student using a #2 or #2 1/2 reed. They cost less than $50. They play well with a variety of different reeds.
Cheers,
Paul
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Author: Ginny
Date: 2000-07-22 17:46
I will note that when I tuned (with tuner) my son's Junior high band, the two players with Fobes were flat beyond repair. The rest of the 12-15 clarinets (unknown mp) could get to pitch. Too few people to be certain, but if you try mouthpieces bring a tuner!
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Author: Marie
Date: 2000-07-22 20:48
Hey!
Just thought I'd drop you a piece of advice. After playing through high school and thejn continuing to work with h.s. students I would say that many play on a vandoren B-45. In my h.s ensemble this was required of all the clarinetists. And, not to brag but we are an excellent ensemble, =). Anyways, regardless of the mouthpiece you should test play a few first, even if it is three of the same brand, you will find small variances in each one you play on. Personally I now play on a Opperman m.p. which price wise is a little more than you had asked for-$200. But that is for someone who plans on a career in music, not a h.s. player. if you have any other questions please feel free to e-mail me a marie_star2@hotmail.com
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Author: Stephen
Date: 2000-07-23 01:59
I disagree with Ginny. It could be that the 2 players that were not flat because of the mouthpiece, it could be their playing ability!
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Author: LBH
Date: 2000-07-23 20:25
What is your opinion on the B45 Vandoren Mouthpiece ?
Laur
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Author: Kim
Date: 2000-07-24 03:03
It could be the reed. Sometimes reeds don't play on certain mouthpieces. If you have trouble blowing you may need a softer reed. If the reed is way to bright, consider harder reeds, but only if the whole box of vandorens sounds that way. I guess I'm saying it could be both. Test the mouthpiece to see what reed fits the best with it and stick with it.
You might also want to try a new ligature, since different ligs make the reed vibrate differently.
Good luck!
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