 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Eils
Date: 2001-02-08 09:40
Hey all.I need a new mouthpiece for my Bb, I'm currenItly playing on a Vandoren 5RV and I think I need a more open one.Can anyone make any suggestions?My clarinet is a Buffet E13.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-02-08 12:24
What are you looking for that the 5RV doesn't offer? This is a really solid player, that may need a little reed matching to give you what you want.
The B45 is much more open than the 5RV, can you audition a 5RV "Lyre"?
What if you had the 5RV tweaked a little?
This is an expensive proposition, so I recommend dealing with the Mail order companies that offer trials.
READ THE CONDITIONS closely!
anji
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Author: Eils
Date: 2001-02-08 12:28
Cheers for all the advice.
Im not sure exactly what I'm looking for, but I'm planning on ordering a few on trial.I don't want anything TOO open, and if the B45 is much more open that's maybe a bit much. I don't think it's the reeds that are the problem, I'm very happy with my reeds.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2001-02-08 13:09
If you have a good local music store, I'd suggest auditioning from them before going to mail order. If we don't support our local stores (even if it requires us to pay a bit more - but within reason) all we'll be <i>left</i> with is mail order ...
If your local store's prices are way out of whack or they won't let you trial a few mouthpieces, perhaps a gentle education in what other parts of the market are doing will help. Some of stores have been without effective competition for years and may not realize until too late that their stores are in danger.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-02-08 14:28
Eils -
The Vandoren 5RV Lyre is a slightly more open version of the 5RV. You should start there, if only for familiarity.
Rather than staying with machine-made mouthpieces, you owe it to yourself to try a hand-finished one from Walter Grabner (ClarinetXpress) or Roger Garrett for about the same price. Also, the student mouthpieces from Fobes, Hite, or Ridenour, at about $30, will probably be superior to the average Vandoren.
Good luck.
Ken Shaw
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Author: J
Date: 2001-02-08 18:57
Vandoren's 5JB is their most open mouthpiece, but the 5RV lyre is known for having a really good, dark sound. Most ensembles will prefer a dark sound.
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2001-02-08 19:11
What exactly do you mean by more open? A more open facing doesn't necessarily mean a bigger sound or a more free sound. What difference are you looking for in the sound or feel?
Chris
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Author: Liesel
Date: 2001-02-09 00:43
Does anyone have some advice for me? I am currently playing on a B45 mouthpiece with 3 1/2 reeds, but I am always squeezing the reed shut and squeeking. Is this normal and I just need to use a stronger reed, or should I get a new mouthpiece or have this one sanded so the tip opening is a little wider? Thanks in advance to anyone who responds.
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Author: Stefano
Date: 2001-02-09 16:47
Liesel:
a Vandoren B45 with 3 1/2 reed should be ok if you have built enough facial muscles (I used to play B45 with vandoren reeds 3).
It is true that a setup (mouthpiece/reed/ligature) may be better than another, however, if you are squeeking to much it must be a "defect" of the mouthpiece or your embouchure.
It is common sometime to "bite" too much the mouthpiece (not even noticing it) and, therefore, producing frequent squeeks.
Maybe you should try to "relax" your muscles, so as to hold the mouthpiece firmly, but without biting.
The best would be to see a teacher for 2 minutes.
I hope this helps you a little.
Stefano
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-02-09 22:08
If you are squeezing the reed shut, it sounds like you are pinching with your embouchure. A Vandoren 3 1/2 reed is normally just about right for the Vandoren B45. I play that combination sometimes myself. Many people develop the habit of "pinching" trying to reach high notes in tune. The real key to these is a firm, well developed, supportive embouchure and good air support.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-02-10 01:48
Liesel, you can think of it this way. You've got four directions from which to apply pressure to the mouthpiece. A common mistake is to emphasize the North-South pressure, but that pressure works against your embouchure. Maximize the East-West pressure instead. That will leave much more flexibility available for when you need to lip a note up or down to get it in tune.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-02-10 14:17
Leisel,
I just reread Keith Stein's book on "The Art of Clarinet playing" where he recommends a 'double-lip' embouchure to remediate this sort of problem.
(I bite reeds, too.) This method uses the upper lip curled slightly under the top row of teeth, which suspends the mouthpiece in a focused circle of the lips.
I can only sustain that for about 20 minutes, but it helps when the squeaks arise.
Do check the reed, it sounds as if you might do with a trim.
Lately, my teacher has been goading me to blow more air through the bell of the horn when reaching high notes. Air velocity, rather than tightness at the reed has let more of them come out.
Good luck, this is a tough one.
anji
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2001-02-11 05:26
The B45 is already one of the most open mouthpieces that I ever see people use for classical work, so you probably wouldn't want to have it opened up any. I would think that the list members are right about it being possibly a biting problem. I've been playing thirty years and play about 40 hours per week, and I couldn't close it off unless I was playing too close to the tip. Try taking in more mouthpiece, and see if that helps. Some B45 mouthpieces squeak because there is a problem with a flat spot in the facing near the tip. This is not the case with all B45s, but I've seen several with this problem. If you do decide that you want to replace the B45 with another traditional Vandoren, try a 5RV. The Vandoren M13 or M13lyre might work for you with a harder reed. A Gigliotti #2 is another commercial mouthpiece which is worth trying. If you want to try a handmade mouthpiece, I think that you should definitely contact Greg Smith. He's an excellent craftsman, and a nice person.
Chris
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2001-02-11 05:31
One more thing: when I recommend Greg Smith mouthpieces, I'm adding that to the list of other excellent mouthpiece makers listed earlier. I'm not suggesting that their work is not high quality. (I just wanted to be clear.)
Chris
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-02-11 17:07
Maybe you should look at custom mouthpieces. Then you could (hopefully) get the exact sound you want. I have a mouthpiece by Dan Johnston which I love and it didn't cost much more than a Vandoren. My teacher wrote down all the specifications for me.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-02-13 04:10
When I first bought Greg Smith Chedeville #1, it was really a revelation.
They have three tip openings.
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