 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Eric Bromberg
Date: 2020-12-28 00:35
Brad Behn’s exceptional craftsmanship is able to capture the traditional American clarinet sound. I recently purchased a Behn HERO mouthpiece (close facing) and one of his incredible adjustable barrels (metal ring). My mouthpiece has a unique “S-curve” baffle which is available in the new Vintage line of mouthpieces. I believe this element is what makes the mouthpiece appeal to audiences with an older clarinet sound in mind. The unique “S-curve” baffle adds resonance, purity, and depth in the sound with minimal effort.
My mouthpiece also has an incredible response that is even across every register. Articulated sections and large dynamic changes are much easier with my Behn mouthpiece. I can also comfortably play at every dynamic level without having to worry about the sound spreading. My Behn mouthpiece was crafted to allow me to perform at my greatest potential.
The adjustable barrel is equally as impressive. Making precise adjustments to the length of my barrel are seamless and easy. I always know the length of the barrel since there are notches for every 0.5mm. Apart from the fact that the barrel is adjustable, it also projects an extremely pleasing sound. There is a definite core within the sound that is very easy to control and it is accompanied with a very deep, projecting sound. Behn mouthpieces and barrels are made so I can sound my best while playing comfortably.
Personally, I found that a silver Ishimori ligature with a size 3.5-4 Behn Brio reed to be the perfect combination for this set up.
It was very easy to purchase my Behn products although I am a very difficult customer. I was allowed to try everything and make sure I enjoyed it before I made a final purchase. The “customer service department” of this business does a very good job at tailoring to everyone’s needs.
Behn Adjustable Barrel:
https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/product-page/evo-bb-a-adjustable-barrel-special-pre-sale?fbclid=IwAR1IdoObMRYk8488cGXob1QwIuGK2oEXl93CoxN5tJOM8O7r-sE-FyHFuak
Post Edited (2020-12-30 19:26)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-12-28 01:26
Ok, I do not see the "Hero" listed amongst Brad Behn's offerings.
Is this new?
Is it based on the rod rubber I, or rod rubber II?
What is the tip opening in mm (.95, 1.05...or something else)?
Is the curve of the baffle new for the Behn line or is it more exaggerated than others?
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2020-12-28 17:25
The Hero mouthpiec and a few others has been referred to several times on the board. People seem to have bought them at conventions etc. However, I could never find them on the Behn website, same with that adjustable barrel of his. Can someone point me (us) in the right direction?
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2020-12-28 20:51
JTJC wrote:
> However, I could never find them on the Behn
> website, same with that adjustable barrel of his. Can someone
> point me (us) in the right direction?
Email me!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2020-12-29 00:00
I believe that they are not in full production yet. You can probably contact Brad or check his social media for more info
Post Edited (2021-03-10 20:30)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-12-29 01:42
Yes, I have just had a conversation with Mr. Behn and he normally has a number of prototype mouthpieces that represent directions of production that don't happen. The Hero was one of those. I can't speak to the adjustable barrel, but that may be a similar situation.
I have decided to give the Sono (currently IN PRODUCTION) a try thanks to the initial posting.
Thanks!
I needed something else to keep me busy during Covid.
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: Doug Leach
Date: 2020-12-29 05:44
>>Can someone point me (us) in the right direction?<<
Brad doesn't seem to have updated the web site recently. However, the adjustable barrel is described on posts on his Facebook site. Click on the Facebook logo towards the bottom of one of the pages. There's also a fair amount about the new Brio line of reeds. These can be ordered off a page on the existing site, but the menus aren't updated to help you get there. There is a link in the Facebook post.
One of the new mouthpieces, the Prescott can be found here, on the new site for his manufacturing process.
https://www.epic-cnc.com/product-page/prescott-bb-clarinet-mouthpiece
Doug
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-12-29 06:13
Gotta admire a craftsman that lets technology get away from him a little.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2020-12-30 01:42
I have both versions of his new adjustable barrels. I was only planning on keeping one at the most but they are such a positive in my set-up that I will likely keep both - the rubber ring for chamber music and the metal one for large ensembles and solo performances. I just wish there was an opportunity to try them out in those conditions right now!
They are not inexpensive and are apparently going to be more costly after this introductory period. If you are interested I would seek them out now. As noted above the link can be found through his Facebook account. His Facebook is well worth being acquainted with due to his exceptionally informative short videos on reed and mouthpiece work. That seems to be the only place he posts them. It's been a great series that he's put up during this year.
I believe this method of introducing products is not to "keep secrets", and is not due to things "getting away" from him. It's a way to test demand and reception to help determine production schedules.
Anders
Post Edited (2020-12-30 01:43)
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2020-12-30 04:57
Links can be found on his Instagram. I have already ordered Brio reeds and will order a barrel.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2020-12-30 05:02
What I am hearing about the barrel is that the bore and the material achieve an amazing acoustical end result. And that is even before you throw in the adjustability on the fly. It should be worth tracking down the link while still available at a discounted introductory price.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2021-01-01 20:12
I see positive feedback on Behn's products in this thread. However, my experience wasn't that good. I purchased $160 Svelte Barrel and worked hard to try to stick with this new barrel but with this barrel, intonations are off on most notes and I gave up. Since then, this S shaped barrel became a (sort of eye catching) decoration on my music stand. Subsequently, I purchased a Backun Traditional barrel (grandilla) and found the intonations are all back to the way I expected including improved tone quality (on the Svelte, I got neither).
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-01-01 21:25
So...... intonation issues amongst the notes, some sharper, some flatter and all irreconcilable, OR just all flatter OR all sharper?
And how would you describe the difference in timbre?
I am actually interested in the timbre question. I had a synthetic barrel from a prominent maker that I thought just made the sound dull and uninteresting. Then I got a synthetic barrel from another maker (ok, I'll say which.......Jonathan Copeland) which is unusually vibrant and dynamic. So not all synthetic barrels are the same.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2021-01-02 00:52
@Paul - To give a better answer, I took the Svelte barrel out and tested with 1) B12 plastic student and 2) E13 wood (the one I use most of the time).
1) Mostly in tunes, but I didn't see any improvement of tone quality (timbre?) comparing to the stock barrel.
2) Definitely flat tunes (even after warm up the wood equipment). And no noticeable improvement of tone quality either.
The Backun traditional barrel works for both equipment in tune and better tone quality.
Svelte barrel goes back to the decoration mode on the stand.
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Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2021-01-02 01:06
Hello Everyone! Happy New Year!!!
In reference to kj2008's comments about his Svelte barrel (not to be confused with the adjustable barrel that is being discussed on this thread), he did not mention that he purchased a 65mm barrel for his B-flat clarinet. About two months after his purchase, he contacted me to inform me that he's playing sharp while using the barrel and was hoping that he'd get used to it. I told him that I'd be willing to allow him to exchange it for a 66mm version since that's the standard length for B-flat and that it should improve his tuning issues. However, he declined the exchange and said that he will keep the barrel. I care a great deal about customer satisfaction and take it personally when someone is not happy. I believe I did everything in my power to address kj2008's dissatisfaction.
But this thread isn't about Svelte barrels, it is about Behn HERO mouthpieces and Behn Adjustable Haptic Barrels. So for kj2008 to comment about a completely different product is confusing and irrelevent to this thread. Furthermore, I think it unfortunate that we know nothing of kj2008--tonal concept, reed, mouthpiece, instrument preferences AND level of player.
We must all consider the source when reading reviews. Is kj2008 a professional or a student? Is he a well trained player or an amateur who knows little pedagogy? I'm a professional clarinetist and can assure you that I can indeed play in tune on Behn barrels of all designs, using instruments by all major makers. And I'll add that Principal Clarinetists of the Chicago and Milwaukee symphony orchestras both play on Behn barrels and find their intonation prowess worthy of their purchases. So to suggest that Behn Svelte barrels are out of tune is an opinion by one person who offers little qualification for actionable intel. I assure you he's wrong. Behn barrels play in tune. And yes, if you choose a 65mm barrel for B-flat clarinet, you might play sharp!
On another note, some of you have mentioned on this thread that you cannot find the links to our newer products (adjustable barrel and Brio reeds) on our website. As we are a small business, we wanted to be in full production mode before we offer these to the public at large. However, we've had immense interest in these new products, so we wanted to do a "soft launch" and make them available to our friends on social media and to people that have been on our waiting lists. Our adjustable barrels took 3 years to develop and many aspects of the design are patent-pending. They are also very labor intensive to produce with intricate parts, and all of these details take much time to work out. None of this is "state secret," and the private sale links are more a practical matter than anything. They will soon be available through the main menu of our website.
Since some have inquired, here are the links to our newest products for my woodwind.org friends that may have interest: (My apologies if this is not allowed. Please feel free to remove if this is inappropriate.)
Brio reeds: https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/product-page/behn-brio-bb-clarinet-reeds
EVO Haptic adjustable barrels: https://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/product-page/evo-bb-a-adjustable-barrel-special-pre-sale?fbclid=IwAR1CyWfBmNTMdRVofVF98wInr8r1-zPPddQaJk5QKUsT6FLYvdRrmAB6VyA
Regarding new mouthpiece designs... Yes, there are some BEHN mouthpieces out there that are results of product development. The "HERO" that Eric Bromberg purchased is, in fact, not a true HERO design. It has the outside body of the HERO but the chamber/bore of another experimental mouthpiece design. It ended up being a great mouthpiece, so I made it available to Eric at a discounted price. As a mouthpiece maker, I find it truly exciting (and important) to be able to do these experimentations to fully flesh out the ideas in my head. The Behn S-Curve baffle will be implemented in certain mouthpieces in the future.
Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2021-01-02 01:17
Brad Behn wrote:
> Since some have inquired, here are the links to our newest
> products for my woodwind.org friends that may have interest:
> (My apologies if this is not allowed. Please feel free to
> remove if this is inappropriate.)
Just an administrative note ... we always let manufacturers reply to directed comments about their products. Brad couldn't announce new products on the BBoard, but after there's a discussion his comments are welcome.
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Author: DaphnisetChloe
Date: 2021-01-02 03:28
How does the Behn adjustable barrel compare to other adjustable ones? Zoom seems to be the oldest and most popular one. I bought one of the RS Berkeley adjustable barrels a year ago as it was cheaper than competitors. After only a few rehearsals and practise sessions using it, the top part broke off and spilled grease all over my hand. I was not twisting it forcefully or overturning it, and upon inspection of the internal mechanism, the design appeared flimsy. Sometimes paying the extra for a more reputable product is definitely worth it... since then I have just used stock barrels but may consider Zoom or Behn in the future.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-01-02 05:33
The intonation issue is still one that is addressed at the level of the individual player.
I use a 62mm barrel on a standard Bb and play in tune with that. I've been told Franklin Cohen also uses a 62mm barrel successfully and he has been known to play professionally from time to time.
I hope this doesn't "queer the deal" with my current order for a Sonos mouthpiece!
:-)
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: dkojevnikov
Date: 2021-01-02 06:38
kj2008 wrote:
> @Paul - To give a better answer, I took the Svelte barrel out
> and tested with 1) B12 plastic student and 2) E13 wood (the one
> I use most of the time).
>
> 1) Mostly in tunes, but I didn't see any improvement of tone
> quality (timbre?) comparing to the stock barrel.
> 2) Definitely flat tunes (even after warm up the wood
> equipment). And no noticeable improvement of tone quality
> either.
>
> The Backun traditional barrel works for both equipment in tune
> and better tone quality.
>
> Svelte barrel goes back to the decoration mode on the stand.
I am a beginner, learning on Green Line Buffet R13 (saved money to get what I really wanted).
My barrel collection is Buffet 65mm, 66mm, Clark Fobes plastic 65mm, 66mm, wood 64mm, Polaris adjustable barrel. I also got Brad Behn Svelte 66mm and 67mm which I love. I got used to having an adjustable barrel now so I got Brad Behn adjustable version.
I would like to say, that I don’t have intonation issues with any of my barrels. The biggest difference is not actually quality of tone (I am not there yet) but the feeling, resistance and overall response in different registers. I swap barrels from time to time but always return to Brad’s barrels.
They allow me to play with better resonance (that I prefer to “darkness’) and I really have to make less effort when practicing for hours. I prefer them to my other barrels especially when I play Legere European reeds. On my pretty much free blowing R13, Brad’s Barrels give me more comfortable resistance to play with less effort. If I had a more resistant clarinet, I could prefer a different setup.
So I would say, the most important thing is how all components of a clarinet match together staring with reeds.
I also got Brad’s bell with a tone hole and now my clarinet weights (with added alternate Eb key) less than 80 grams (2.8 ounces). I can play longer without being tired and pain in my right palm.
Post Edited (2021-01-02 06:40)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-01-02 08:23
I don't understand why you tested with two student horns when you have a Greenline. The better your other pieces of equipment are in the chain, the easier it is to evaluate the one you are testing.
Also, I play Legere European Signatures myself which is why I use such short barrels. The plastic tends to vibrate with a little less "vigor" than cane and produces a lower pitch (at least for me). I do try to play with a very relaxed embouchure as well which also contributes to the pitch tending lower.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2021-01-02 09:26
Paul,
According to my understanding, because there is no > before "I am a beginner...", it's dkojevnikov that has the Greenline R13 while kj2008 has a B12 and an E13.
Post Edited (2021-01-02 09:47)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2021-01-02 14:15
Ah.......thanks for the correction Dan.
Another instance of only half paying attention.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2021-01-02 18:02
Reading through postings after I wrote about my experience with Behn's Svelte barrel, I feel that I should have not written it after all. As everyone's skill level and experience are unique and different, I merely expressed my big disappointment on the product since it was the very first barrel I ordered and my expectation of improving tone quality with it was way too high (come to think of it now). I am an amateur (mid level?), practicing and playing for own satisfaction (sharing my progress with circle of friends) that I started about 5 years ago as my newly acquired hobby.
For the reference: Buffet E13 & B12, Vandoren M13 Lyre profile 88 mouthpiece, Backun Traditional Barrel 65mm, Vandoren Rue Lepic 56 3.5 reed.
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Author: dkojevnikov
Date: 2021-01-02 20:23
kj2008 wrote:
> Reading through postings after I wrote about my experience with
> Behn's Svelte barrel, I feel that I should have not written it
> after all. As everyone's skill level and experience are unique
> and different, I merely expressed my big disappointment on the
> product since it was the very first barrel I ordered and my
> expectation of improving tone quality with it was way too high
> (come to think of it now). I am an amateur (mid level?),
> practicing and playing for own satisfaction (sharing my
> progress with circle of friends) that I started about 5 years
> ago as my newly acquired hobby.
> For the reference: Buffet E13 & B12, Vandoren M13 Lyre profile
> 88 mouthpiece, Backun Traditional Barrel 65mm, Vandoren Rue
> Lepic 56 3.5 reed.
Yes, you should post your experience. If it does not work for you just return or sell the barrel if you really think that you will never grow to appreciate it.
I went through several phases in my clarinet adventure. But I keep everything I buy and it is really amazing how your opinion changes when you gain more experience.
I got Brad Behn Svelte barrels long ago and at first did not understand them too. They felt more resistant, I had issue in some clarion tones. But now I understand that I played on overly hard and unbalanced reeds, bit a lot especially in upper register so even strength 4 reeds closed on some upper notes.
I am gradually moving into a ‘no-bite-at-all” territory and more closed mouthpieces (B40 lyre -> M15-like) because my lower lop hurt a lot when I started playing altissimo etudes on open mouthpieces and Legere reeds. I switched from 3.5 Legere European to 3, changed my tongue position and position of mouthpiece in my mouth.
Now I can truly appreciate what Brad’s barrel (and mouthpieces) are bringing to this kind of ‘relaxed” technique. Now I need that additional resistance, it is not my enemy anymore.
Instead of fighting the clarinet (bent my keys a lot with my fingers because my overall battle with reed translated into tension in my fingers), I am now starting to really enjoy playing it.
I don’t know what future brings to me. Maybe I will switch to a completely different setup in the future but at this phase of my learning experience I am pretty happy that I did not sell everything I did not appreciate in the past.
Post Edited (2021-01-02 22:20)
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Author: EricBlack
Date: 2021-01-05 04:55
Hey all,
There’s already been a lot of discussion so far concerning this barrel, but in case anyone else still had questions I just finished an in depth video review that can be found here! https://youtu.be/qD99lRM0Mv8
If you have any questions that I didn’t cover in the video, feel free to ask away and I’ll do my best to answer them!
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2021-01-05 05:32
Great video, Eric. Show and tell does better every time than "just sayin." To respond to your questions at the video's end, my ears hear the rubber Behn as very equable and even, round and mellow, and the metal Behn as more complex, a multi-textured sound that flashes out overtones and a protean quality (from the Greek myth of Proteus the sea god of ever changing shapes and appearances) that holds the listener's attention. It is definitely not "just louder." So I would subjectively choose the metal (or both if I could afford both).
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Author: EricBlack
Date: 2021-01-05 05:53
Thanks for the kind words! I was a little worried the Stainless Steel version didn't record accurately, but you have alleviated my concern as I think you described the sound perfectly! I had thought of the barrel as adding a certain "Je ne sais quoi" to the sound, but your use of the word protean better describes it!
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Author: lmliberson
Date: 2021-01-05 22:16
It don’t mean a thing if if ain’t got that certain "Je ne sais quoi"...
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Author: Max S-D
Date: 2021-08-03 01:53
I figured it would be better to revive this thread than to start a new one.
I picked up a Behn adjustable barrel (hard rubber) last month and have been going back and forth with the 65mm Behn Evo Svelte barrel that I've been using for the last year or so. I've been happy with the Svelte, but have occasionally found the need for a slightly wider range of tuning to accommodate sharp ensemble-mates and flat pianos. Plus I like gear. Given half an excuse, I couldn't resist.
In short, if you have like Brad's fixed-length barrels, you will probably like the adjustable barrel.
Overall, the two are very similar in terms of playing feel. For a moment I was thinking that the Svelte might have had a bit more of a "solid" tone, but it's not a difference I really notice once I have been playing either for ten or fifteen minutes, after which point I'll usually forget which one I am playing until I look down. Same as the Svelte, the adjustble barrel has a nice resistance that gives the sensation that there is something to push against, but not so much that it requires excess work to get the sound out. It's a very comfortable feeling of control for me. The difference between the two is much smaller than when I switch to my Fobes barrels or the stock R13 barrel, which I find have slightly more and less resistance, respectively.
I have always felt that barrels influence response and intonation the most, but I also do think that they have a meaningful impact on tone. For me, these have the same tendency towards focus and color that Brad's mouthpieces, reeds and previous barrels have all emphasized. I love Brad's approach to these things and this is very much in line with his past work.
The adjustment range is quite wide and easily covers the range I would normally encounter with sharp flute players and flat upright pianos. It doesn't solve the problem of encountering both at the same time, but that's probably not the job of a barrel.
I am still getting used to turning the center ring and feeling for the clicks. I catch myself often just starting to pull out or push in before I stop and remember. Old habits die hard.
I also have to get used to grabbing the barrel in such a way that it doesn't turn the ring when moving the mouthpiece and barrel between my Bb and A clarinets, especially since I will likely need to click it in a mm or so when I switch, so I'll want to make sure it is right where I left it. Again, old habits die hard, but I think the convenient access to this wide a range is worth building some new habits.
Overall, this plays like Brad's other barrels, but with adjustability built in. The adjustability does not seem to confer a meaningful compromise in tone or response that I can detect. It's also just a very nicely made thing to hold in your hands, look at and disassemble, if you're like me and can't resist taking things apart.
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