 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dave
Date: 2002-06-18 21:29
Greetings to all,
I am new on here, and request some advice on recommended clarinet mouthpieces for my new (used) Madelon all metal clarinet, made about 1915 I would guess. It is now being rebuilt, all new pads, etc. The old mouthpiece is a no-name, narrow tip opening. Fortunately, the metal mouthpiece short tube, of two diameters seems to be sized to accept modern mouthpieces.
I am age 63, have played five instruments pro and semi-pro over the years. Currently (other than drumset, my best talent) I have been playing in a 16- 20 piece swing band, mainly on bari sax, with a plastic Runyon Custom #7, .090" opening, no spoiler for mild stuff; and a metal Dukoff D6 duckbill .110" with high baffle for the more aggressive stuff. On my tenor, which I play some, is a metal Berg Larsen 100/1/M medium high baffle, which seems about right for that band. Usually I use #2 to #3 cane reeds on everything.
Now, since I am a beginner on this metal Bb clarinet, what would be the best mouthpiece, that is not too expensive to buy? I want the low notes to be full and loudest, highs can be somewhat weaker; as my bari-sax clarinet parts should be mostly in the low and middle ranges.
Since I read music well, and can teach myself to start, what music swing-jazz instruction books or websites would you recommend to start practicing? I like technical ones, and ones that discuss in depth embouchure development and practical exercises.
Thanks for any suggestions !
Brother Dave
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Author: super20dan
Date: 2002-06-18 21:43
i recommend the vandoreen b45.you are going to find learning the clarinet isnt as easy as you would like it to be. consider getting a real clarinet instead of your metal one. most metal clarinets are very poor instments.ebay is flush with bargin priced wood clarinets.
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Author: clarman
Date: 2002-06-19 02:11
Superdan's right...get yourself a good clarinet.
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Author: ron b
Date: 2002-06-19 03:23
Hi, Dave - and WELCOME to the clarinet neighborhood
Most doublers I know (many clarinetists double on saxes would recommend you find a mouthpiece that most nearly resembles your sax mouthpiece - blowing resistance, reed strength/response, and 'feel' - like that. Metal horns take the same mouthpiece(s) as wood or plastic ones so shopping for one is easy. Just try different ones until you find one that works well for you.
I don't mean to be disagreeable to the above responses, just to disagree. I'd advise you to give it a little time before you decide to trade your clarinet for something else. It'll keep. You just spent a bundle to get it reconditioned, may as well get your money's worth. You need to get used to playing it, develop clarinet chops, before you can really decide whether something else plays better for you anyway.
Thinking 12ths instead of octaves takes a little getting used to. Shouldn't be too difficult for you with your playing experience though. Just takes practice.
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Author: Mike Harrelson
Date: 2002-06-19 03:33
I would think that with a metal clarinet of that vintage, there is a possibility that it is not tuned to modern pitch and may never play in tune with your group. That will be ok for learning and playing by yourself. You may want a clarinet player friend to try it for pitch on a tuner.
A bari player learning clarinet might want a clarinet with an Open lay/soft reed mouthpiece. That would probably be helpful in making the switch from bari to clar on a swing chart too.
Sounds like you have no trouble learning new instruments, clarinet will be a nice addition for you. Let us know how it works out.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2002-06-19 06:18
Bari sax is my main axe and I play a pretty open piece (RIA 10*). So I like an open free-blowing clarinet piece. The Ralph Morgan J7 fills the bill. And don't putz around with crappy metal clarinets (though some metal clarinets are pretty nice). Even a good wooden clarinet can be frustating at first.
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Author: Mitch A
Date: 2002-06-19 13:08
I play tenor abd bari. I use a John Pierce mpc. $57.00 at WW&BW. Very open, feels a lot like a sax piece.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-06-19 17:18
I mainly play a few of the clarinet family, still have some facility on alto sax, am relearning bari now for BYEx2 Birdie, lots of mp difference tho!! I tend to advise looking [and trying] among the many [well-described] VanDoren mps such as in a number of music-supply-house brochures. Another source might be your repairer's cl mp "junk box", I've found several "golden oldies" well worth $5-10 each! Playing cl [IMHO] seems a bit more difficult than sax, by the open-hole-covering, 12ths vs octave and embouchure diffs. Good luck, Don
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