 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Player1
Date: 2004-11-03 12:11
Hi everyone!
The age-old quandry..... which mouthpiece to use?
I have a pair of lovely (used) Buffet Elite Clarinets, which I play using my trusty old Vandoren B45 mouthpiece.
I often wonder whether there is a fantastic, brilliant, spectacular, top of the line mouthpiece out there somewhere that would take my sound to the next level.
Yes I know... mouthpieces are a very individual thing etc. etc. but I need suggestions!
I play in a variety of orchestral, chamber, and contemporary-pop situations... and am looking for a mouthpiece that will sing beautifully. Especially in the 3rd register (I'd love to have a bit more dynamic control and sublety).
Anyway... I've put my question to the world, and await an inspired answer from the mouthpiece of my dreams
Failing that, an inspired answer from an owner of the mouthpiece of my dreams would suffice (lol)
Thanks for reading.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2004-11-03 13:59
Since I already like rambling about mouthpieces I'll try to help.
I'll list the ones I've tried and what I thought of them.
Vandoren B45 - I like it a lot cause it's so easy blowing. I am not crazy about the sound from it, feels a little too hollow and not enough meat.
Gigliotti 4 - Great mouthpiece, overall my second best.
Eaton - My best and favorite mouthpiece. For rehersals and concerts I use this one.
Pomarico Crystal - great sound but a little too resistant for me. Very smooth and beautiful sound and would recommend it if you can handle the resistance (unless you find one tat is not resistant, I never had a lot to try).
Pomarico wood - Great sound and slightly less resistant than the crystal. Pretty much the opposite of the crystal. Not a smooth sound at all.
The ones I won't write about which I just didn't like at all are Selmer (for Bb, I actually liked the bass clarinet Selmer mouthpieces a lot), Pyne, Bay.
Here is a story to finish my post with. My teacher went for a tour in the USA with his band. He didn't want to bring his expensive Leblanc clarinet and happened to find a used Bundy clarinet for 50$. He took the Bundy to the tour and used the Bundy mouthpiece too. When he came back he tried his Leblanc with his excellent Selmer mouthpiece (he used Selmer mouthpiece for jazz and Vandoren for classical). He definitely noticed the difference from the Bundy in the comfort but felt sometihng was lacking. He thought of trying the cheap Bundy mouthpiece on the Leblanc and it was so much better! The conclusion is to try everything you can!
OK enough mouthpiece rambling, Good luck.
Post Edited (2004-11-04 04:54)
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Author: William
Date: 2004-11-03 14:11
"and am looking for a mouthpiece that will sing beautifully. Especially in the 3rd register (I'd love to have a bit more dynamic control and sublety)"
Your individual "sound" is more controlled by your brain's tonal concept and the specific configuration of your own oral cavity (that you are born with) than by your equipement. Almost any mouthpiece will do as long as it has good response and flexability. No specific brand, model or maker to recommend--you just need to find "it". My current mpc of choice is an original Chicago Kaspar #14 which I have owned since college. However, it seems that no matter which mpc I chose to spend time learning how to control, I always regress to my own particular sound over time--that is, the concept of "what I want to sound like" (in my brain) and how I voice my sound within my own oral cavity.
But, since you wanted a recommendation, I would suggest trying some Gregory Smith models. I like his "Cicero" Kaspar and Chedeville 1* models in particular. They are a bit "pricey", but due to Greg's quality workmanship and his personal assistance in getting your mouthpiece "just right" for you, they are worth every penny. He is a Sponser of this BB.
I might also recommend the mpc products of Walter Grabner, whose CXBS bass clarinet mouthpiece I play and like very much. He has a line of soprano clarinet mouthpieces made from Zinner blanks as well but made to his own specifications, rather than the older Kaspars and Cheds.
Enjoy your mouthpiece search--it's half the fun of being a clarinetist (the other "fun" is being good enough to make them *sing*)
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