 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: vintschevski
Date: 2014-10-23 11:49
Hello!
I'd like to hear from anybody who plays as their preferred reed the Vandoren Traditional strength 4 reed as to which mouthpiece they have had most success with.
Thanks!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-10-23 13:05
The caveat here is that we all have slightly different approaches to how we play. For example some want a 'light' set-up (easy blowing), others prefer to use more energy (me).
I have ALWAYS used nr. 4 Vandorens and really have only changed the style of mouthpieces over the years......but most recently have had best success with:
Vandoren: CL4; M13; 5RV Lyre
ESM: MCK 1 MR
Greg Smith: Chicago Kaspar 11
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: vintschevski
Date: 2014-10-23 15:40
Thanks, Paul!
I was keen to hear, possibly, of some mouthpiece that I had not considered at all till somebody like yourself suggested it, and that has indeed happened: I have to admit that I had not previously heard of ESM mouthpieces.
I wonder if I might press you for a preference out of the list you give? For example, I find that the Vandoren M13 and 5RV Lyre combine better for me with a V12 4 reed or a Rue Lepic 4, Traditional 4s aren't so successful for me on those mouthpieces.
Do you possibly find, generally speaking, that a CL4 or the ESM or the Greg Smith plays better with the Traditional 4 than even the M13 or 5RV Lyre?
Please consider all caveats caveated!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-10-23 16:53
I subconsciously wrote out the list in descending order. My preference at the moment (this morning!) is the CL4.
I mentioned the Ernst Schreiber down the list ONLY because I have only tried one for a few minutes with great success and am working on obtaining one. The version I tried was in a blue acrylic with gold colored flakes in it and I was a little taken aback by the appearance. I did get a more detailed description of what the company is doing here and it is all about sound (except for the color of the acrylic perhaps). The flecks in the material are added for resonance, to deepen the sound (so they say). Also there are optional metal rings on the top and bottom of the tenon also put there to make the sound more firm and help achieve a more prominent articulation (so they say). This is the version that I tried and is was indeed VERY impressive. In a few weeks I should have the opportunity to try a standard black acrylic (no metal flecks added to the material) and compare it side by side with the blue one which they call "The Heaven."
That said, I do also switch amongst the different cuts of Vandoren 4s. The Lepics seem to have a bit more 'back bone' and they are a bit better quality, but I don't find (for myself) that there is any significantly difference getting them to work on those mouthpieces.
Do you do a "Squawk Test?" This is where you play an open "G" starting with very little mouthpiece in your mouth and continue to play as you take in more and more mouthpiece. At some point you'll get a huge, uncontrollable SQUAWK. Just back of slightly from that point (moving slightly back toward the tip that is) and THIS is THE ideal spot for you and your embouchure on THAT mouthpiece.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: pewd
Date: 2014-10-23 18:25
Why don't you find a mouthpiece you like, and then find reeds which work best with that mouthpiece, instead of keeping the reeds fixed and trying to find something that works with that reed?
E.G, don't stay focused on having to play on a specific brand/strength of reed.
Find a great mouthpiece first, then match reeds to it.
Reeds change over time - and by that, I mean manufacturers quality changes, and sometimes they make style changes over the years. Vandoren has made several changes in the last 15 years - a VD blue box with the engraved logo is different than the ones when they first wrapped them in plastic, and these are different than the older style.
But through all that, my mouthpiece hasn't changed much. Focus on finding a great mouthpiece first.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-10-23 22:27
I agree with last two comments; find a good MP 1st ... reeds vary from year to year. I've even found that my old (but not played much) Legere reeds and some recently purchased are different ...
But to answer your question, for what it is worth, I have better luck with VD Blue Box on my M30-lyre than the V12s or Legere regular cuts ... that's THIS WEEKS opinion. My M13 (not lyre) works great with Legere regular and Quebec and Vandoren V12s (3.5+). I like the "hold" and compactness that the M13 has, especially in the upper clarion notes.
Don't get too crazy about this stuff. Use what works best for you for you and don't worry too much what setups people use. Opinions on this are just expressing a range of possibilities that work for some people. I guess there are some bizarre and outrageous combinations that are best to stay away from ... but, I think most of the Vandoren products, as a starting point, are a safe way to begin. For some, Vandoren products carry them through their entire career.
Time and money is better spent on practice and study with a good teacher than chasing reeds and MPs all the time.
Tom
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-10-23 22:45
I know I am in the minority on this, but I have been pretty dogged about the reed. Vandorens have kept their quality high and their greatest advantage is that they have NOT followed trends by varying the basic cuts to their vamp or changing the shape of the heart. Even currently where there seems to be some peer pressure amongst some professionals to use the top of the line Rico reeds (which I simply find appalling) nothing will take the place of the Vandorens for me.
You can make an argument for changing strength of reed but for some reason I cannot bring myself to do that. So yes, I match my mouthpieces to my reed. The only time I regreted that was when I had a brief fling with the Vandoren B40. If I would be wililng to go down strength or two on my reeds I'd be all for that mouthpiece. But I cannot - sorry.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Jarmo Hyvakko
Date: 2014-10-25 13:43
The interesting fact about reeds is, that the reed manufacturers DON'T make reeds of different stregths. They (try to) make the reeds with same specs and after that they sort out the reeds to different boxes by measuring the reed's strength. So, if someone likes a particular strength of a reed, he actually likes the hardness of the wood in that reed. Thus there is a point in choosing the mouthpiece according to the reed. As we know, harder wood tends to give softer, a less reedy/buzzy/bright and more focused sound and those who use softer reeds can praise them with adjectives of their choice.
I have tried and never got a satisfactory sound out of any plastic reed. Perhaps if someone wants to use them, he should try to find a mouthpiece that works with the reeds not vice versa?
-Yarmoh
Jarmo Hyvakko, Principal Clarinet, Tampere Philharmonic, Finland
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-10-25 18:01
That's a BRILLIANT explanation and boy, have I gone around and around with mouthpieces trying to get Legeres to work!
The nearest thing I got on "a current mouthpiece" was a one-for-one strength compared to Vandoren on a Legere Quebec cut reed. It does start off feeling a bit more resistant but with about a week or so of working at it you can make it sound somewhat reed like.
The other way around I think the Legere Quebec 3.75 may be the best strength and cut for the medium and I pared it fairly successfully with a Vandoren B40, but alas the sound is still lacking in all the rich colors and flexibility of cane.
...............Paul Aviles
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