 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sabasaw
Date: 2014-01-19 07:41
Greetings,
I am reviewing all of the lines of MoBa Bb Clarinet Mouthpieces. Question: With the wider the tip opening will any make of reed do? Has anyone tried the Traditional MoBa Mouthpiece and what reed brand and series is best to use?
Thanks,
Sabasaw
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Author: Ed
Date: 2014-01-19 03:37
I tried one a few years back and seem to recall that I used something in the 3.5-4 range. Tip opening does make a difference, but facing length and other dimensions can affect it as well.
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2014-01-22 21:42
I have found that on that facing I play a Legere signature 3.25, of sometimes the #3. The consensus that I've observed on people using and performing with Legere reeds is that the people who play closer tip mouthpieces have been quicker to adopt them.
Ricardo Morales told me that he's move from the more open "P" facing mouthpieces to playing on the "L" and the "C", but mostly the "L" with a 3.75 or a 4 on it.
I play a Moba L and a mouthpiece by Jim Kanter. I find I play a slightly softer reed on mine. 3.5 and 3.75. Sometimes if I'm on the 5 the gig of a 5 gig weekend and it's klezmer I'll use a 3.25 and let the mic do the work. But if I were soloing with a band or doing a recording I'd use the 3.75
As a Legere Artist, I've had the luxury of having the entire line of Signature reeds at all strengths. I find that when ever anybody "pops" one on and doesn't like it, it's because they don't have the correct strength. They make them in 1/4 strengths because you have to get it right. I have found that just like cane reeds by various manufacturers all play differently within the same strength off different "cuts" i.e. I find that Rue 56, V12 and traditional Vandoren reeds each have a slight difference in the resistance at 3.5. For instance on the above mentioned mouthpieces I'll like a Vandoren #3 Traditional, a 3.5 Rue 56, and 3.5+ on V12s. That just me and how I like my air to flow. But with my students and other professional clarinetists that I've worked with on this obtaining the correct strength is a little more "obtuse". I seen some players play harder Legeres than cane and some play softer.
So here is what I recommend. If you play a #4 cane reed. Order a Legere 4, 3.75, and a 4.25. Try them for a few days. That spread of strengths will help you Zero your choice. pick the one you like if it's the #4 send back the other 2 and have them send you another 4. If the 4.25 is the one you like return the other 2 and get another 4.25 and a 4.5. Legere is really good like that.
Legere reeds are really worth a really good Play test. At best you'll switch like I and a few other professionals have done, at worse it will be the best "spare" reed in your case. If you're playing a show or on a gig with a sax or bass clarinet that sitting there for a bunch of minutes before you play it. Figure these reeds out NOW!
Tom Puwalski, Legere artist, Backun and Antigua Performing artist.
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2014-01-22 22:23
Closer facings have always seemed more efficient to me. Tip openings much beyond 1.04 require more effort to voice and articulate. If Morales is moving back to facings within the 0.99 mm. to 1.03 range, this puts him in the mainstream range of Vandoren M13 to M15 openings (or Backun C and L models) preferred by many pro players today (for example, Burt Hara, Michael Rusinek, Greg Raden). Evidently, even in the Philadelphia Orchestra, a player can be heard on a closer facing. I wonder also if Morales is tending to use double-lip embouchure now? Double-lip is also more efficient on closer facings that require less pressure.
Post Edited (2015-12-16 19:22)
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2014-01-22 23:02
I always say there are Two things teeth shouldn't touch a clarinet mouthpiece is one of them.
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