 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: William Muuse
Date: 1999-11-07 01:56
I recently began playing clarinet again after a long absence. I have used a Vandoren 5RV mouthpiece since the 70's, and I see that the tip is chipped, and want to purchase another mouthpiece. Should I go with another 5RV, as I have been happy and comfortable with this type, or would there be other models an amateur clarinetist should consider? I am just learning about facing and tip opening, and I understand one should stay away from extemely long or short facings, as well as too open or closed. Any suggestions?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-11-07 02:06
I'd say "go for the gusto" since you have to replace a mouthpiece and talk with one of other the mouthpiece makers. There's 6 who are Sneezy sponsors (Clark Fobes, David Hite, Pyne/Clarion, Gregory Smith, Pomarico, and ClarinetXpress) - perhaps one of them could meet your needs. Or check on the Equipment/Mouthpiece pages - even more are listed there.
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Author: Fred
Date: 1999-11-07 02:20
Welcome, from one coming out of retirement 5RV player to another. Since your 5RV is chipped, let me give you my impressions of mine after laying off for 20+ years. My 5RV seems to have more resistance than I remember. Of course, I played quite a bit then and won't ever play that much again. So, I will probably try to get some guidance on a little freer-blowing mouthpiece that doesn't require me to be "in shape". I see you have noticed that the world of clarinet-ing has gotten more high tech. Nobody ever talked about facings or tip openings before . . . we just tried some out and bought the pick of the litter. In short, listen to the new guys . . . they're smart! But personally, I wouldn't get another 5RV, and certainly not unless you are going to go back to playing as much as you did before. Good Luck!
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Author: Sara
Date: 1999-11-07 03:50
If your looking for a mouthpiece thats not to short not to long and not to open or closed then my suggestion would be a B45. I use both the 5RV and the B45 both serve me very well. The B45 I think is used a lot everywhere but its gives a great tone. But I don't know how you play so I can't really make any real suggestions. One I could make is before you do make a final decision try out as many mouthpieces as you can get your hands on. Good luck on finding a new mouthpiece. Hope I could help!
Sara
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Author: Drew
Date: 1999-11-07 05:32
I'm not sure that the advice given so far is really helpful. It sounds like your old 5RV is not in playable condition; how can you start playing again without a serviceable mouthpiece? My view is a bit different; if you were happy with the old 5RV, purchase another one. As far as mouthpieces go the Vandoren line is relatively inexpensive ($55-$60 range via mailorder). This way you can get started quickly and start getting your "chops" back into shape. Later on you'll have plenty of time to try out custom mouthpieces, AND you'll be in shape too. The custom mouthpieces can go for as much as $200.00 each.
Another (better) idea: if you have access to a music store, try out as many mouthpieces as they have. Most stores are very happy to provide this service if you intend to purchase a mouthpiece. In addition to the Vandorens, try Selmers.
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Author: Russell
Date: 1999-11-07 12:58
......I glad you are rejoining the clarinet as a hobby.......So am I.,...2 years ago I replaced my mouthpiece with a Vandoren B45 for $90 cdn..The ligature was nickel plated and interestingly reversed.
William Muuse wrote:
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I recently began playing clarinet again after a long absence. I have used a Vandoren 5RV mouthpiece since the 70's, and I see that the tip is chipped, and want to purchase another mouthpiece. Should I go with another 5RV, as I have been happy and comfortable with this type, or would there be other models an amateur clarinetist should consider? I am just learning about facing and tip opening, and I understand one should stay away from extemely long or short facings, as well as too open or closed. Any suggestions?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-11-07 13:45
Drew wrote:
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My view is a bit different; if you were happy with the old 5RV, purchase another one.
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I'll have to disagree with you. It's like sticking with the same model of car without ever looking around and trying the rest - it <i>might</i> be the right car for you, but how will you ever know if you never experience anything else?
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Author: Drew
Date: 1999-11-07 18:53
Mark,
I wouldn't disagree with your comment, except for two statments made William who originally who posed the question. William stated he was happy and confortable with his old mouthpiece, and he is restarting clarinet after a long absence.
I recently restarted clarinet after a 25 year hiatus, I came to find that I had very little idea what would be the ideal mouthpiece for me. I made this realization after spending alot of time and $$$ selecting different mouthpieces. What I should have been concentrating on was improving my playing skills. I've since made that shift of priorities and am putting the time and $$$ into lessons from a professional. It turns out my original mouthpice is just fine (my teacher played every mp I had and selected my old faithful).
So my underlying message remains "don't worry so much about the equipment, work on your skills (this doesn't necessarily mean to take lessons)." Once the skills are redeveloped, then a mp change might be worthwhile.
By analogy, much of the advice William is receiving is as if he is being told to purchase the best automobile to fit his needs when he hasn't driven for some time.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-11-07 19:23
Drew,
I'd still disagree with you - since he played before, the chances are that he could find differences. I am an adult beginner with no previous experience, and I could figure out the differences after just a few months of playing. All of my mouthpieces have been "name" ones (Selmer, Vandoren, and Hawkins).
Even checking out the differences between a 5RV and 5RV Lyre can be illuminating.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 1999-11-08 00:50
A new 5RV may not be like an old 5RV.
I started by Vandoren 2RV with my Selmer 10S some 30 years ago. The 2RV was super! Then I broke it and changed to 5RV and B40 some 20 years ago. Still they were good but I felt the 2RV had been better.(The reason I chose these ones are that I liked their tones,focused,warm,good resistance.)
Now when I play Vandorens, I feel they lost their good characteristics of the past.In fact I check the flatness of their tables. They are always not flat as old one used to be.
Although more hi-tech machining have been applied, the hand finishing is the key point. I doubt mass production mouthpieces are now lacking in superb craftmanship of the past. I think this may be the same with other mass production ones, except Selmer.
Among mass production mouthpieces I tried recently, only Selmer C85 was good.( I forgot its number C85-115?),which came with my 10SII two years ago.But this instrument bore (0.563")is narrower than ordinary Buffet(0.574"), it might be a special case.
I play Greg Smith Kasper style mouthpiece. It is superb.
By the way,it is regrettable to say that reeds also are not what they used to be. This may make your trials all the more difficult.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-11-08 16:44
What an interesting set of postings.
I personally vote for the "try before buy" method. If your chops can't take the tighter 5RV mp, don't worry. Have fun trying everything you can get your hands on. Don't worry about brands, facings, sizes, etc. Just have fun shopping. Play within your means on the reed strength you can work with. Whatever suits your fancy, try again. The mp that you like the best is the winner. Then, stick with it for a while. Then, take your time and money to build up your skills.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 1999-11-08 17:01
Mark Charette wrote:
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I'd say "go for the gusto" since you have to replace a mouthpiece and talk with one of other the mouthpiece makers. There's 6 who are Sneezy sponsors ( * * * ClarinetXpress).
Mark -
OK, I give up. Where is ClarinetXpress on the sponsor list?
Ken Shaw
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Author: Mark Charette, Webmaster
Date: 1999-11-08 17:14
They're not on the Sponsor's page yet (they get there when the money comes in :^), but they're on the new ad banners.
www.clarinetxpress.com
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 1999-11-08 17:31
William Muuse wrote:
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I recently began playing clarinet again after a long absence. I have used a Vandoren 5RV mouthpiece since the 70's, and I see that the tip is chipped, and want to purchase another mouthpiece. Should I go with another 5RV, as I have been happy and comfortable with this type, or would there be other models an amateur clarinetist should consider? I am just learning about facing and tip opening, and I understand one should stay away from extemely long or short facings, as well as too open or closed. Any suggestions?
William -
Obviously, a mouthpiece with a chipped tip is unusable. Equally obviously, you don't need to spend $200 (or even $100) for a new one. If you used to like your Vandoren 5RV, you wouldn't go wrong getting a new one. They are still made and readily available. On the other hand, they are variable, so you should go to a store and try several.
The alternative is to get a beginner's mouthpiece from one of the other makers on the sponsors list. The Fobes Debut, the Hite Premiere and the Pyne PolyCrystal all go for around $30 and are just as good as (probably better than) the 5RV, as well as less expensive. Other makers produce mouthpieces of similar quality and price, including Tom Ridenour and Ralph Morgan. Any of these will almost certainly be easier to blow, better in tune and have a better sound than any commercial mouthpiece.
If you don't want to go that route, Yamaha makes a very nice plastic mouthpiece for around $20. Almost any music store will have it. It will be perfectly fine until you get back into shape and can pick for yourself.
Welcome back to the land of the reed suckers. There's no nicer place.
Ken Shaw
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