 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jerry
Date: 2010-08-11 01:23
Having my R-13 tweaked in a music store recently, I tried out a number of mouthpieces while I was there. I currently use a 5RV Lyre. Of the new ones I tried, I liked and bought an M-30. For me it was freer blowing and easier to play. It made my 3 1/2 reed feel like a 3. The sound is a bit thinner than on my 5RV.
Question: What is your experience with "freer-blowing" mouthpieces? Will a harder reader mellow out the tone a bit? What should I expect with read adjustment to compensate?
Jerry
The Villages, FL
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-08-11 01:31
I THRIVE on free blowing mouthpieces. I really don't like a backpressure. With the M30 (a model I do really like and IMO vandoren's best model), I actually use a 3.5 V12 shaved down a bit. It's probably closer to a 3.25 by the time I'm done.
For mellowing out the tone, I'm not sure what ligature you use, but I would recommend a Rovner fabric ligature. An MKIII (or dark, it might be called now...) really works well on mellowing a reed out, but even the basic rovner ligature is one of the best out there.
That, and don't bite AT ALL. All air support. I've gotten into the habit of pushing the mouthpiece actually UP a little bit against my top teeth and really using more of the mouth muscles to help my lip contact the reed. This helped me to stop from biting down and getting that thinner sound. And take in more mouthpiece.
Enjoy the M30. My HS band teacher (a really great woodwind doubler with main instrument being clarinet) loved vandoren mouthpieces. In his words (paraphrasing), "I love that they're so cheap. You find a good one, and if it breaks, or chips, or gets scratched, you go to ANY store you want to find and pick out another for, like, 70 bucks!"
Alexi
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2010-08-11 01:34
PS - Sorry. The MKIII really dulls out a sound. Something that might be necessary if your reed is bright and harsh. The "Dark" is the basic ligature and it's one of my favorite if not, my very favorite. Lately I've been using an Eddie Daniels ligature where I can use the metal rails to increase response for a "duller" reed, and the fabric over it to better control a "brighter" reed.
But I always have the MKIII and Dark in my bag just in case someone else needs a lig. And now I'm interested in going back to the Dark model....I kinda miss it......
Alexi
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2010-08-11 01:44
Is the m30 a 13 series or traditional?
The M30-13 series is very open, a very long facing, and very "open" on the internal dimensions. It does create a very comfortable and freeblowing feeling on the face. I would stick with the 3 1\2 and make sure that the sound stays focused and centered. Many times these mouthpieces get a "large" sound but end up being quite mellow and diffused in performance.
The new M30 lyre might be something else to try. It's slightly more closed (although still quite open). It might be the best of all worlds for you, being inbetween the possibly too wide M30 and the somewhat resistant 5rv.
Good luck.
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2010-08-11 02:22
I play both the VD B40 Lyre and the M30. For me, playing each with an appropriate reed, the M30 is freer blowing, with a warmer, more open but slightly smaller sound than my B40 Lyre (which has a larger, denser more focused sound that works better in a large ensemble).
To play the M30 well, one needs the right reed, a solid (but not biting) embouchure, and lots of air to support the sound, as the mouthpiece has less resistance/hold than most. I used to use V12 #4's but now find that a well-balanced 3.5 - 3.75 actually produces a better sound and is more enjoyable.
I really like playing on the M30. It gives me a real sense of freedom, responds really well and produces a tone more like my ideal sound concept. The only drawback I have experienced is that it plays lower in pitch than any other of my mouthpieces. Air support and a firm embouchure, especially keeping the upper lip down and tucked in, seem to compensate for this nicely however.
Although Vandorens are relatively consistent, individual mouthpieces can vary a bit. Personally I find this is an advantage as I can find a couple of mouthpieces with essentially the same facing, that play the same reed, yet have different characteristics. For example, I have one M30 that has more resistance and a "harder" (I don't know any other way to describe it) sound, while the other (my favorite) has a less resistance, and an almost velvety quality to the sound. So it may also be possible that trying others will yield an slightly different, better experience for you.
I play both the Rovner Light and MKIII ligatures and like them both. It's nice to have options for any situation.
Bob
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2010-08-11 03:17
I played an M30 for a couple of years with VD V12 3-1/2s. I NEVER got comfortable with the thing because I could not consistently 'eat' enough of it to get the reed to work.
I had an M30/13 refaced for a shorter lay, and that was a winner to help with the left hand clarion intonation (too sharp) on a '60s vintage Buffer R13 A clarinet.
I currently keep the refaced M30/13 in my case as a back-up for my Zinner blank with the same facing. Most of my "consultants" think that my sound is better with the Zinner.
I'm happy with the Rovner Dark lig. on the Vandoren.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Drakiej
Date: 2010-08-11 16:23
I purchased a M30 a few months ago after trying out it and the 5rv and found the m30 to be more free blowing to me its not too open and not too closed as with the 5rv. I really do enjoy playing on it. I currently use a vandoren lig with detaching plates and mitchell luries premium reeds 3.5
Ive been contemplating trying a new lig but with soooo many out there, I gave up, too much of a hassle and everybody I believe is gonna say they are all the best.Enjoy
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