 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bryris
Date: 2003-12-01 01:05
I have been having a hard time with air blowing out my nose as I play. For the first several years, I never had a problem with this. The mouthpiece that I used for a long time was called a Premier by Hite. I then switched to a Vandoren B45, as it is considered a better mouthpiece. I played for a while, but then began developing the leak. I couldn't find my old Hite, but I found it tonight and played on it. The nose leak is still there but not nearly as bad. The Hite seems to be more free blowing. It creates a really nice tone on all dynamics and has good response overall. The Hite has a smoother tone, whle the b45 has more of a growl, although its a very good conert sound. Also, I can hit f or ff on the b45 while the hite cannot go that loud.
I just wanted to see if anyone has played on the hite mentioned above and why the hite wold be more free blowing. I bought the b45 on sale for 50 bucks, but I hear its worth closer to 100. The Hite was 26.50, obviously a cheaper mouthpiece.
Thanks
Bryan
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Author: msroboto
Date: 2003-12-01 04:36
Well a B-45 is worth what you paid for it and certainly not $100.00. I play one and it is a fine mouthpiece. I just looked it up at weinermusic.com and you can buy a new one for $51.00.
The playability of the mouthpiece is not enhanced by the price you pay for it. If it works for you no matter what the cost it may be priceless to you...
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2003-12-01 05:24
In general, the more open the tip and the shorter the facing, the more resistant the mouthpiece. The Hite Premier is designed for beginning students and to have relatively low resistance so that they can produce a pleasant tone early on. It has a fairly close tip and medium facing length. The B-45 has a far more open tip and probably a shorter facing. As a result, it is much more resistant. This is the reason that I (and a number of others) do not recommend it as a beginner's mouthpiece.
There has been some discussion of the condition you describe on this board in the past and/or the Klarinet list. It does not surprise me that the more resistant mouthpiece amplifies your problem.
The Hite Premier is a plastic mouthpiece which, at least in theory, may not last as long as the hard rubber B45. IMHO, the difference in price is, to a small extent, determined by the material and to a larger extent marketing practices. David Hite wants his mouthpiece to be affordable but I think that even his student models are as well-designed and made as Vandorens.
If you want a hard rubber mouthpiece and you are sold on Vandorens (you may be able to tell that I am not), you might find the 5RV Lyre more to your liking than the B45. Or, given that you like the Premier, you might try Hite professional mouthpieces -- all the models appear to tend toward fairly close tips with medium facing lengths. Or you could consider the less resistant models from other makers.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: GBK
Date: 2003-12-01 05:44
Jack has nicely described why the B45 is not ideally suited as a beginner's mouthpiece. I also agree and strongly advise my younger students to use either a Hite Premier or a Fobes Debut. Both mouthpieces have facings which help promote good embouchure development. Both mouthpieces can also serve them well for many years.
As I have more experience with my students using the Fobes Debut, I have been very pleased with their consistancy from one mouthpiece to the next. The B45's I have encountered have ranged from acceptable to unplayable...GBK
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Author: Brent
Date: 2003-12-01 17:06
I have played the Hite Premiere professionally with nothing but positive response from those (professionals) around me. The M41 is very similar to the Premiere in playability and consistency. I still recommend the Premiere to my students (the local store stocks them).
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