 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kelly
Date: 2003-01-19 18:26
I am relatively new when it comes to the clarinet. I have been for about four years now.
My problem is that I am not pleased with my sound. I think it sounds really air-y. I play on a PolyCrystal mouth piece and a vandoren size three reed. Is there anyway that i can make my sound not sound so "air-y"? sound i change my mouthpiece or reed brand and/or size?
i have been reading back on these postings and i'm lost! can anybody help me?!
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Author: Kelly
Date: 2003-01-19 18:27
sorry, it should say...
SHOULD i change my mouthpiece and/or reed.
sorry on my part.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-01-19 18:42
First of all, get some lessons with a good teacher. It could be embouchure, air support, small leaks in the horn, mismatch between reed and mouthpiece, or perhaps several other issues. A teacher should be able to help you sort all that out even if you don't intend to take lessons for the long term.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-01-19 18:58
An easier blowing set-up might help. Maybe try dropping down to a Vandoren 2.5 reed. I've found the Vandorens to be a little stiffer than other brands with the same number. So a #3 Vandoren might equal a 3.5 from another make. Maybe try a Mitchel Lurie #3. That should be somewhere between a Vandoren 3 and a 3.5. The Vandoren #3 might just be a little too stiff for you. Also take Dee's advice and look for a good teacher.
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Author: Kelly
Date: 2003-01-19 19:06
Dee-
do you have any suggestions for reed and mouth piece matching? i am currently taking lessons. i will bring that issue up. thank you!
Robert-
thank you for telling me that vandorens tend to be a little stiffer. i had no idea. i was always told to use vandorens because they are better than most others. i think i will try out mitchel lurie! thank you!
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Author: Dee
Date: 2003-01-19 20:29
Well each mouthpiece has a recommended range of reed strengths. For Vandoren mouthpieces using Vandoren reeds, I think you can find recommendations on their web site. For other mouthpieces, you need to contact the maker for a recommendation. Usually they will give this as a range.
Some mouthpieces need soft reeds while others need stiffer ones.
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Author: Robert Small
Date: 2003-01-19 20:53
One correction: I meant to say that a Mitchel 3 reed should be between a Vandoren 2.5 and a 3, not 3 and 3.5. In other words a little softer than a Vandoren 3.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-01-19 21:17
Using a softer reed strength/taking in a little more mouthpiece should give you a little more 'meat' in your sound.
The idea is to let the reed do its thing with the minimum intervention from the player... then you concentrate on expression.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2003-01-19 22:23
I go along with the softer reed.....and maybe a different mouthpiece too.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-01-20 00:00
Dee..You suggest going to the Vandoren web site to get info on suggested mouthpiece/reed strength combinations. I have been unable to find their site. Do you have it by any chance? Thanks!
Henry
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2003-01-20 00:16
I used a poly crystal for a while and found that I didn't need any stronger than a V12 2 1/2 or a Lavoz medium otherwise the sound was airy and it was hard to get a consistent sound. Maybe the facing is very open or the material was more suited to a softer reed. I did try different strengths but settled on the softer set up.
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Author: Kelly
Date: 2003-01-20 00:27
thank you everybody! You guys are great!
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2003-01-20 01:12
Henry wrote:
>
> Dee..You suggest going to the Vandoren web site to get
> info on suggested mouthpiece/reed strength combinations. I
> have been unable to find their site. Do you have it by any
> chance? Thanks!
it's http://www.vandoren.com but it seems to be down at this very minute.
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Author: Henry
Date: 2003-01-20 01:29
Thanks, Mark. I'll keep trying until they are up again.
Henry
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Author: Valarie
Date: 2003-01-20 20:49
If you need a suggestion about a new mouth piece, I swear by the Vandoren model B45. Though.. How good a mouthpiece is depends on the individual player. B45's work very well with Vandoren reeds with the strength of 3-4.
If you are having problems with your embouchure, try this little exercise I learned at a masterclass:
Buy some coffee stirers (the skinny straws).. Put one in your mouth like you would your clarinet mouthpiece. Tighten your embouchure around the straw so that no air escapes (execpt through the straw). Practice taking deep breaths in, and blowing them out through the straw (This will also help with your air support). Do this for a couple minutes every day, and I'm sure that your sound will improve
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