The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: lycfmtkl
Date: 2003-07-19 09:14
I bought a Leblanc 1020 Sonata clarinet recently. It has a woodwind K10 mouthpiece. However I find that mouth piece is not satisafactory so I replace it with a Vandoren 5RVL. The result is better. Can anyone suggest what is the best mouthpiece for this clarinet ?
Regards
Richard
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-07-19 12:18
Here's the long and short of mouthpiece selection...
Ya gots ta play 'em all...
-OR-
Get a shoebox full of mouthpieces, and take your clarinet out into a deep lake by boat.
Play them all with the same reed.
Find the one that plays most freely, with the best sound.
Throw the rest overboard, and don't look back.
******
If the 5RVL plays well for you, get some nice reeds and go practice.
It's like buying a good set of trainers, the fancy ones won't make you run any faster, but they'll allow you to take more laps...
*****
PS - THIS THREAD ENDLESSLY REPEATS... Search "Mouthpiece" and see!
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Author: BobD
Date: 2003-07-19 12:37
The above says it like it is. I do find,however, that the Fobes Debut "works" well with all my LeBlanc horns.
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Author: jez
Date: 2003-07-19 12:59
Syn. B.
I think the point of the story was to take the boxful of mouthpieces out in the boat, blindfold yourself, pick one out, throw the rest overboard and then go home and learn to play on that one!!
(Was it D. Bonade?)
Lycfmtl
I don't think there's much relevance in a particular mp. suiting a particular instrument. Assuming it's not an unusual bore size it should work on any clarinet.
If you're happy with Vandoren mouthpieces then you're lucky. They're readily available and inexpensive. Some of us prefer the hand-made alternative. All mine are by either Mike Meyerowitz or Alan Andrews.
jez
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2003-07-19 14:20
Even among several Leblanc K10s there is a wide range of qualities that add/detract from whether or not it's suited to the way you play!
If the piece you have works and tunes well, then it sounds like a good fit!
David Dow
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Author: laclarinet
Date: 2003-07-19 20:59
Vandoren M15. I used Charles Bay Mouthpieces for 18 years but recently tried new mouthpieces out of curiosity. the vandoren is amazing. i am studio player and composers that i worked with immediately noticed the difference. it works well for both orchestral and jazz playing and it is reasonably priced.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2003-07-20 13:53
*** ONE SIZE DOES NOT FIT ALL ***
There is no substitute for play testing (with or without a rowboat).
Do not presume that the M15/Kaspar Cicero/Gee-Whiz ya betcha mouthpiece flavor of the month will work for you...
You MUST try these out, with YOUR horn, in a familiar environment.
One of the local stores has a reverberant room with a "sweet spot" that they set aside for play testing. EVERYthing I play in there sounds good.
Not quite the same, at home.
I don't recommend trying things out in a dull space, either.
******
Play your regular rig for a few warmup scales, try the new mpiece on.
If it doesn't make your life easier, why bother?
Want something really good? Get ahold of the Mouthpiece makers listed in the reference section of Woodwind.org and start a conversation.
Polling the users of this (or any other BBS) will get you sent in several directions at once... an expensive way to end up right back where you started, carrying a drawer full of expensive doorstops.
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Author: William
Date: 2003-07-20 16:11
"One of the local stores has a reverberant room with a "sweet spot" that they set aside for play testing. EVERYthing I play in there sounds good."
I agree 110%--the best place to try a new "anything" is "on the job", in the ensemble that you intend for it to be used. Before I purchased my new bass clarinet, I took several to a live rehearsals for the "final approval" of my fellow players and conductor. In the music store's "room", they all sounded good--but in the group, one sounded "just right" (and I bought it)
"What's the best mpc?? The one that plays good for you. Look for eveness of response in all registers and tonal focus from loud to soft. The rest is really a result of your own mental "inner" concept of what a good tone is--and your brain will dictate that. Remember, that the farthest the equipement is from your brain, the less important it is. For your sound, as well as you musical performance, your brain is your most influential instru"mental" component. Along with your practice to develop technical skills, don't forget to excercise it as well via listening (and viewing) both the live and recorded performance's of other great musicians. Chance (and musicianship) always favors the prepared mind. Good luck!!!!
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