 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: AnneJ
Date: 1999-12-30 00:43
HI! I am in my third year at Fort Lewis College, studing Music Education and Performance, and just this year I have switched from my B45 mouthpiece. I am now playing on the 13 Borbeck, and it plays wonderful in the upper register, though I feel when I am playing almost everywhere else I cannot blow enough air through the mouthpiece(like a cotten ball was stuck in the mp)... does anyone know what I mean? it is as though I want to blow through the notes more, but the air just builds up in my mouth or leaks out the side. I am VERY frustrated, this has never happened before. I have tried many different reed strengths , all Vandoren regulars and V12. do I need a diferent mouthpiece, or different brand of reed? please someone help me! or am i just doing something wierd. Thanks for your time...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-12-30 00:52
AnneJ - why did you switch from your B45? How long have you had the Borbeck?
<br>
<br>You shouldn't have to be fighting the mouthpiece.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Jim Carabetta
Date: 1999-12-30 11:19
Anne:
Sounds to me like the chamber of the Borbeck is smaller than what you're used to; the constricted airflow and resulting pressure is more conducive to the higher tones.
A softer reed may help. Your Borbeck and the B45 have the same tip-opening at .044, so the difference has to be in the chamber, the facing, or the lay of the reed (is there a difference in the reed table on the Borbeck?: is it too wide, so air goes around the edges of the reed, or too narrow so the edge of the reed "hangs over", not allowing to to use the whole reed in sound production?). Also, the facing may be different: without reeds, compare the two side-by-side to see the difference in facing - the length of the reed table and how far down the opening goes.
The B45 is moreless a symphonic-type piece, which signifies a large, round chamber; even the Profile 88's have a round chamber with a longer beak. I'd guess the design of the Borbeck is less "traditional" (meaning, other than a medium tip/medium facing). You could rework the mouthpiece, but you'd end up with a Borbeck converted into a B45. If you wanted to continue working with it, I'd suggest a softer reed, however you may lose something in sound production because the softer reed may die quicker; consider a light gauge synthetic or plastic-coated reed to help extend the life.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: earl thomas
Date: 1999-12-30 15:54
Mr. Carabetta's information is very interesting and sound. A softer reed may be the solution. Life's too short to be playing a hard reed. You might try less upper teeth on the mouthpiece - about 1/8th of an inch and a steeper angle that would enable you to place your lower teeth farther down the reed, cushioned, of course, by a thin layer of lower-lip focused at the sensitive rim of the lower lip. Just a suggestion. I hope your dilema gets resolved very soon. ET
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: AnneJ
Date: 1999-12-30 17:01
Thank you so much for your help!
...just to answer a few of your questions, the V12 3 1/2 reed I am using on the Borbeck is a little small for the facing, compared to the b45. Does this mean that I should use different brand of reed? or should I just get rid of the borbeck and look for another mp? I have tried softer reeds but then the sound feels squirly, and almost twangy. I got rid of the b45 because my instructor said I should get a more professional mp.... but I should probably ask him why hu? thanks again!
anne
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Alec Thigpen
Date: 1999-12-30 18:21
Always ask why! You are paying the instructor, therefore it is his job to teach. That includes explaining and backing up his reasoning and evaluations.
Your B45 is not my favorite any more, but it is certainly good enough for most performance criteria. I think a custom mouthpiece might be good to try if you are serious about your clarinet playing. The price is not prohibitive compared to the cost of a clarinet, lessons, etc. You may find you get more enthusiasm from a really good mouthpiece than any number of other new toys. I like Bay and Smith at this point in my life.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: earl thomas
Date: 1999-12-30 23:24
A good V12 3 1/2 reed should work just fine on your Borbeck 13 mpc. The key word there is "good", right? When you say that the reed is a little small for the Borbeck facing, do you mean the width. If so, I don't believe it can make that much difference. I've always thought that being the reed being slightly less wide was a plus and desireable. Back when Morres were available many of us used the 12.5 of 12.6 widths rather than the "standard" (?)12.9. Too bad they're no longer available. As far as the B45 is concerned, it has never been a favorite of mine. In the Vandoren line, I always preferred the 5RV lyre. Borbeck mouthpieces are usually very fine. He apprenticed with (Cicero) Kaspar and is very, very skillful. I'm sure if you communicated with him, he'd be happy to try to help you find just what pleases you most. Good Luck! ET
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Anne
Date: 1999-12-31 15:26
Thanks for all of your help, you have no Idea how much I appreciate it!!
anne
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: paul
Date: 2000-01-03 14:34
Anne:
I have a Borbeck 13 pro grade mp. I told Mr. Borbeck about my horn (Buffet Festival), my currently favorite mp (Vandoren B45) my personal specifications/expectations, and gave him some background on my skill level (adult novice) and playing style (classical base for skill development). Not that the last two mattered too much, but I might as well tell him everything.
I tried a #3 reed (Vandoren V-12 natural cane) and found that it was way too hard for the mp set up and especially for me. I backed down to my usual 2.5 strength in the same reed and found the overall behavior of the entire horn had dramatically improved. What a sound! Excellent response from low chalemeau all the way to high altissimo, even at my adult novice skill level. So, play a reed that's comfortable for you, perhaps a little on the soft side to start out. Remember, you are transitioning to a different mp, which is a significant change.
Here are some hints to help you as they helped me. Take the time to warm up thoroughly. Play lots of long and low notes to start out. The Borbeck 13 mp that I have seems to demand more warm up and a slightly higher playing temperature than the Vandoren B45. Make sure your reed is warmed up, too. Play within your usual reed strength and gradually get used to the Borbeck 13 mp. There are differences, with typically better performance from my Borbeck 13 mp than the Vandoren B45. I have to be totally truthful and say that I bought a custom made pro grade Borbeck 13 mp, which isn't a totally fair comparison with the intermediate to pro grade but mass produced Vandoren B45 mp. Which Borbeck 13 mp did you buy? There are three grades of Borbeck mps (student, intermediate, and pro grade), and three corresponding price levels. If you are not happy with your Borbeck 13 mp, contact Mr. Borbeck to see what he can do for you. He was very professional and proficient with me, both in business and in the art of making a mp. Make sure you tell him what you want and why you want it. I'm sure it will help both him and you.
Most of all, relax. If you pump up your expectations too much and too fast, you will inevitably choke out some area of your performance. Take the time to adjust to the new mp and its personality. Make sure you have a totally clear air support system, from the diaphram, through the throat, across the tongue, and all the way out the mp. Open up and breathe well.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
