 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: trish24
Date: 2011-11-20 20:57
I am still considering purchasing a new mouthpiece and didn't receive any responses to my last post so maybe didn't ask the right questions.
I have been playing for three years.
I live in a regional area so it s not possible to try a number of mouthpieces so I know it's a little risky so maybe need to play it safe.
I have a Buffet E11 and have only ever played a B45 mouthpiece.
I am assuming that I should stay close to its specifications ( 119, ML) and have looked at the B40 Lyre on the vandoren site.
It says L facing and "easy blowing in the upper register"
All other things being equal, what difference does the L facing make to playing and tone.
Can anyone comment on the B40 Lyre, generally? Any other suggestions for me?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-11-20 22:15
What is you're trying to improve over the B45?
Karl
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Author: trish24
Date: 2011-11-20 23:14
Thank you for answering.
My B45 is a bit the worse for wear and I want a mouthpiece new to me.
When you haven't been playing long, it's sometimes hard to explain things. I have a teacher but feel I learn a lot from trial and error and thinking carefully about what you do in playing and the result.
Like everyone. I am looking for a beautiful tone(subjective, I know).
I like a full, mellow tone but not ragged on the edges. (Hope that makes sense)
Also, I am mature age so have to try hard for breath support and control.
I know it's risky purchasing a mouthpiece that you haven't actually tried but am prepared to run that risk through a reputable dealer.
I am doing Grade 5 exam and my range for the exam is up to G6. Those last few high notes always sound thin when I play them.
Hope that helps.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-11-20 23:34
trish24 wrote:
> ...I have a teacher but feel I learn a lot from
> trial and error and thinking carefully about what you do in
> playing and the result.
Well, that's fine, but what *does* your teacher recommend? You're paying a teacher, so you should at least consider his/her suggestions (and then do what you want to). Have you asked the teacher the same questions you've posted here?
> I like a full, mellow tone but not ragged on the edges. (Hope
> that makes sense)
I *am* having a little trouble with the ragged edges part. I don't think there are any mouthpieces on the market that are designed to produce ragged edges, though. Fuzzy, unclear, unfocused tone can result from a poor match
between the mouthpiece facing and the reed strength or profile.
> Also, I am mature age so have to try hard for breath support
> and control.
What does this mean (see my last comment at the bottom)? I'm 64+. Are we close in age, or do you mean you're simply no longer a pre-teen?
> I know it's risky purchasing a mouthpiece that you haven't
> actually tried but am prepared to run that risk through a
> reputable dealer.
Well, it's no real risk except that you may not like the mouthpiece when you get it. Many outlets here in the U.S. allow "approval" periods and others simply allow returns for refunds within a limited period of time. If you can't try a variety out in person, ordering a couple of different ones at a time is sometimes a decent alternative.
> I am doing Grade 5 exam and my range for the exam is up to G6.
Now you've lost me. We don't have this kind of system in the U.S., but anytime I've heard about it in a British post, it seemed to be a concern mostly of young players still in school (hence my earlier question about your "mature age."
You might consider among the mouthpieces you try a new, undamaged B45. If you generally like the facing, it may be that whatever wear it's had is responsible for the thin-sounding high notes or that something in your approach to embouchure or your selection of reeds is at the root of it.
Karl
Post Edited (2011-11-21 00:06)
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-11-20 23:58
I'm convinced that the ONLY WAY to get a mouthpiece that works with you is to try a bunch of them. That will probably mean that you'll have to order some on trial.
Some years ago when I took my 30-yearl old Buffet out of the box and tried to play it, I bought several mouthpieces on eBay. I accumulated about a dozen --cheap, but not very satisfying in that most didn't work for me very well.
During this phase, I learned that you should have two identical ligatures and a goodly selection of reeds. You set up your trial mouthpiece with the best reed (balanced to that mouthpiece) and swap the mouthpieces while playing a variety of things. Look for responsiveness, tone color --and check intonation.
When you've found a trial mouthpiece that you prefer, make it your baseline and set up a third. Keep the best and keep going.
After I'd found a good piece from my random purchases, it served me well for a few years --until I had a lesson with a fellow who faces mouthpieces. We sat together and he fiddled, coming up with a new piece that was my favorite for more years --until I had him custom face a Vandoren M30/13 that is even better.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-11-21 00:06
If you write to my email address I can give you a lot of information about assorted mouthpieces. such as the facings, the length, the difference is sounds, things of that nature.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-11-21 02:21
Quote:
I live in a regional area so it s not possible to try a number of mouthpieces so I know it's a little risky so maybe need to play it safe.
I have a Buffet E11 and have only ever played a B45 mouthpiece.
I am assuming that I should stay close to its specifications ( 119, ML) and have looked at the B40 Lyre on the vandoren site. Nothing wrong with only having played one mouthpiece. I spent a few years (8?) trying mouthpiece after mouthpiece after mouthpiece. And I've come to the conclusion that, well, they pretty much ALL work when matched to a reed that works on it. If you wanna go your whole life on a B45, nothing wrong with it.
If you felt comfortable with it, try out a few more B45s. And then, for kicks if you have a little extra cash, send out your current B45 to a mouthpiece technician and ask them to touch it up. They touch up the table, the rails, make sure nothing is warped, and send it back. Maybe it'll make it sound better. I used to just find a "good" mouthpiece and then send it to Richard Hawkins who always somehow took the good and made it "better". And it's cheaper than buying a whole new mouthpiece.
I don't know much about Aussie-land and what's available down there or where, but Vandorens are available almost everywhere and are cheap. See if you can set aside a day to visit a store that has a bunch of Vandoren pieces available and have some fun picking one out.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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