 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chrystineNYC
Date: 2004-05-03 20:32
Hey guys.. ok just brought a vandoren b45 mouthpiece to go with my Buffet E11. Be easy on the critiques.. I'm not a professional just a woman that wants to buy what others have recommended and see if it works out. Anyway...
I purchased a Charles Forbes Debut two months ago which plays pretty loosely, freely but very sharp on the upper register. So of course here I am going out to buy the vandoren and found that yes, the notes are warmer but its a bit harder to produce the notes (for me anyway). Now.. opinion, am I just not yet ready for the vandoren? I just started playing the clarinet in January and have been playing everyday ever since. I have a teacher and have been playing notes/scales pretty successfully... but after hearing my teachers R-13 blow my E-11 out the water as far as tone goes, felt something had to be done.
Since it seems that the Forbes is pretty right for me right now in getting my breathe in check and all the fundamentals to playing, should I try investing in a new barrel? I'm sorry.. the clary is at home and I don't know the dimentions of the barrel. But it was the standard barrel that came w/the clarinet. I'm currently playing Rico 2.5 reeds and an old ligature that was part of another clarinet.
If its a matter of me just playing more and gaining experience, that I can live with but if its recommended that I could help out my tone by purchasing a better barrel.. could you offer some suggestions.
Please offer your thoughts and once again, thanks for all replys.
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Author: glin
Date: 2004-05-03 21:42
Christine,
My two cents for what it's worth: your Fobes Debut mpc should be fine. I had one and found it to be very good and at an affordable price. I wouldn't recommend playing with barrels at your stage. Get more experience and guidance from your teacher on the basics. Maybe tongue position, airflow, breath support, embouchure are the culprits, rather than the mpc and barrel. As a thought, have your teacher play your clarinet with just his mpc, and see if he experiences what you are feeling. The Buffet E-11 is reputable but may have a tendency to be on the sharper side more than the R-13. As far as your teacher's R13 blowing your E11 out of the water, I always say it's probably more of a function of the player's skills vs the horn.
Good luck and don't despair!
George
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Author: GBK
Date: 2004-05-03 22:02
The Fobes Debut is one of the best student/intermediate model mouthpieces available. Facings are carefully applied and the consistancy from one to another is outstanding. It is very reed friendly and an excellent mouthpiece which could last you for a number of years.
The B45 has been the subject of much discussion and you can read much of it in the archives. I have always found the B45 totally unsuitable for beginners, as it is too open and far too resistant for those just starting out. Yet the B45 is constantly being recommended by band directors and others as being a perfect student mouthpiece. (perhaps that is the only mouthpiece they know?) The consistancy and quality control of the B45 has also been a factor. While it is certainly possible to find a good one, there are many dreadful ones to be found along the way.
The barrel which comes with the E-11 is 64.5mm which may make you a bit sharp. If you need to slightly pull out, it is to be expected. No reason to change barrels at this stage of your playing.
For the present time, an E11 with a Fobes mouthpiece is an excellent set-up. You may want to soon explore other reed choices (Gonzalez, Mitchel Lurie, Vandoren) to find higher quality cane...GBK
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Author: Fred
Date: 2004-05-04 00:09
As for the difficulty in playing the B45 . . .
Did you change reeds when you changed mouthpieces? You probably should have. Younger players often feel like reed strength is intrinsic to their playing level. That is absolutely not true. Reed strength should be matched to the mouthpiece you are using. When I play my Greg Smith Ched 1+, I use a Vandoren 3.5. When I play my Ralph Morgan RM15, I use a Vandoren 2.5. Same player . . . but different reed requirements to achieve the same level of result. Try a softer reed on the B45 and see how you like it.
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Author: chrystineNYC
Date: 2004-05-04 00:21
Thank you so much for the feedback. All responses were extremely helpful and well received. I truly enjoy playing with the Forbes but was just looking for something to make my sound a tad better. But I will definitely stick w/my current setup and play on. Thanks everyone for responding and those who read.
Clary Chrys
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Author: ohsuzan
Date: 2004-05-04 13:51
Chrys:
I second the opinions posted by GBK. The Fobes mouthpiece is a dream for many of us who want something unfussy, reed-friendly, inexpensive. In fact, I liked the Debut so much that a while later, I also got a Nova (his next up), and then a San Francisco. The SF is so smooth, I hardly know I have a mouthpiece on. This is just the situation I need, because it enables me to relax and let the instrument "play itself", instead of trying to micro-manage the sound (which is what I do when I have a more resistant setup). My husband, who is a "re-beginner" on the clarinet after a 49+ year hiatus, groused about my buying the SF -- until he tried it. Now, I have to wrest it away from him when it's my turn to practice.
I do find that I need a stronger reed with the Fobes -- varying from 3 to 4, depending on the brand. With the lower strength reeds, the Fobes can sound too "spread" or honky and induce mouthpiece-biting in a misguided attempt to refine the sound. I have had good luck with the Gonzales "FOF" 3 or 3.5, and the Vandoren V12 3.5 or 4. The V12s I find to be particularly well-balanced and not needing a lot of adjusting on the "ears".
Another thing you might want to consider is having your instrument adjusted by a master technician. Most clarinets that I have played (a lot of them, at this point) have idiosyncracies in intonation and/or resistance that can put you off your game if you are (as I am) really sensitive to and critical of your own sound.
A good technician can take a good horn and make it great for much less than the cost of a new instrument -- and this is true for older instruments as well as new ones. My R-13 had certain quirks that had driven me crazy since I got it new 10 years ago. Despite its superior sound, it was so annoying that in most cases I preferred playing my ancient (1926) Buffet that was so sharp I couldn't pull the barrel out enough to tune with anything. In desperation, I had the R-13 thoroughly set up by a pro technician this past winter, and it is now a genuinely pleasurable instrument to play. Wish I'd done this years ago!
Best wishes to you and your musical pursuits.
Susan
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Author: Ed
Date: 2004-05-04 14:17
Another vote here for the great quality of the Fobes mouthpiece. It should work well for you. One of the the problems in going from this to a B45 is that the B45 is a VERY different facing, much more open. I don't like them or recommend them at all.
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Author: Ron Jr.
Date: 2004-05-04 14:58
Christine,
Congratulations on learning to play the clarinet. You are fortunate to live in New York because there are many, many excellent teachers, music stores and concerts. Soon you will have the opportunity to play chamber music with others.
Like the others, I have wondered why the Vandoren B45s are so highly recommended. To me their tone is airy and unfocussed.
My main suggestion is to not spend too much time and money yet trying out different mouthpieces and reeds. With daily practice and the guidance of a teacher, your tone will surely improve. Give your ear some time to develop and upgrade when your teacher suggests it. After about a year you both can go to the music store and try out new mouthpieces. Your teacher will be able to give you valuable feedback.
Perhaps in a different thread you could tell us why you chose the clarinet and if you are driving your neighbors crazy.
Good luck,
Ron Jr.
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