 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Ron Jr.
Date: 2004-07-28 14:19
After getting my braces off I am relishing in the joy of having much improved tonal control and articulation. This increased embouchure control has given me greater awareness of the difference many mouthpieces that I have used throughout the years.
Two mouthpieces that I've use are the Vandoren M13 Lyre and the M15. Both profile 88. Vandoren characterizes them as follows:
M13 Lyre - Facing: Medium Long - Tip Opening: 102mm
M15 - Facing: Long - Tip Opening: 103.5mm
I chose to compare these two mouthpieces because they are very similar except in facing length. I wanted to get a sense of how facing affects tonal quality.
On my R13 with V12 #4 reeds here are the differences I've noted are as follows:
M13 Lyre: Altissimo register speaks more easily. I love the confidence with the altissimo register.
M15: Lower range of Chalumeau and the Clarion registers: E,F and B,C sound especially full and rich. Altissimo register requires more precise high tongue position. Also more of the mouthpiece must be taken into the mouth so that the teeth can rest on the sweet spot of the reed. While I love the richer sound of the lower chalumeau and clarion registers, the jaw is open too wide for long term comfort. I recall reading on one of the great classic method books, Baermann? Lazarus?, that each note essentially requires a slightly different mouth position. And the altissimo register certainly requires much greater concentration, careful tongue position, and more moutpiece to get out the high notes.
Take care,
Ron Jr.
Post Edited (2006-03-06 18:05)
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2004-07-28 15:57
"So for beginners or people with small mouths, the M15 Lyre could be a more appropriate mouthpiece. For more advanced players or big mouthed players, the M13 could be more appropriate."
I understand you meant beginner M13 Lyre, advanced M15.
I agree with your descriptions, but I am not sure I agree with your conclusion. A player chooses a mouthpiece based on a combination of tonal characteristics. flexibility and comfort (or in most cases marketing hype!). And I believe the M13 and M15 are pretty muc equal in quality they simpl offer a different type of comfort. I play an M15 and my teacher uses an M13 Lyre, should I tell him I am the most advanced player?
-S
--
Sylvain Bouix <sbouix@gmail.com>
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Author: John Scorgie
Date: 2004-07-28 17:43
ron --
The short answer to your post is just play the M13L and set aside the M15. Both are fine mpcs.
I however sense that you are searching for a way to make the M15 work for you, so here are a few suggestions.
While the tip openings on both mpcs are essentially the same, the M15 has a longer lay than the M13L, and so will require a stiffer reed. You state that a #4 V12 works well for you on your M13 Lyre. Have your tried stiffer reeds on your M15? Many players get their best results with #5 reeds on a long close lay such as the M15.
Placement of the lower lip at the point where the reed meets the mpc rails is a good starting point but is not graven in stone. Try taking slightly less M15 in your mouth. Some players prefer to place the lower lip closer to the mpc tip than is usually recommended. The important point is that whatever length works for you, avoid biting or pinching. Other things being equal, a shorter length of mpc insertion coupled with moderate lip pressure is preferable to a longer length of mpc insertion coupled with a lot of jaw pressure.
Vandoren makes several of their mpcs in both the traditional and what they call the 88 series which has the same chamber and lay dimensions but a lower exterior included angle than their traditional mpcs. The 88 is halfway between a traditional mpc and a "duckbill". The 88 might be more comfortable for you as it requires somewhat less jaw opening for a given length of mpc insertion.
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