 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bill
Date: 2004-12-31 16:55
I started playing clarinet around 1992-93. After trial and error (yard sale clarinet for $65 - "Emil Jardin" - huge UJ crack), I found myself playing a reputable wooden instrument with a Ralph Morgan RM-10 mouthpiece. At that time, I couldn't believe the ease with which I could begin a tone on pp, with which I could slur wide intervals, and the relatively accessible altissimo. I felt lucky that I had found the "RM" (it just happened to be the classiest and most expensive mouthpiece available at my local music store - there was no knowledgable evaluation in my choice). As a bonus, a contributor on the Klarinet list whose writing I very much admired (Everett Austin) played one.
After a year or so, just messing around, I did a side-by-side test and found I could get a more focused and "prettier" tone with a 5RV. Also, I got a stronger and more filled-out low register (B-flat clarinet). I began to explore the concept of mouthpiece sidewalls. After that, I made a firm move away from my RM to more of what I viewed as French-style mouthpieces, and I became a Chedeville junkie. Even today, the two words "Qualite Superieure" still fill me with avarice.
For fun, lately I've been playing on my old RM-10 (and RM-06). They fit into the narrow barrel opening of my 21000 series Buffet. And now I find they tune better with this old, wide-bore, cylindrical clarinet. I'm not getting the resistance I've grown accustomed to (why is it I feel the need for more and more resistance?), but, instead, I find a tremendous clarity and volume (without shrillness). And the wonderful ability to initiate a tone from ppp is back - the notes just slip out, and artistic control is so much easier, like having a finer sable brush when painting.
Well ... pardon the ramble. I'm keeping my "RM" mouthpieces. Maybe I've come full circle!
Bill.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2004-12-31 17:43
I hasten to add, since I'm "praising," that my regular mouthpiece these days is a Vytas Krass "Everett Matsen" facing. I have this same facing on two mouthpieces, and it is very consistent.
Bill.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-01-01 18:29
Resistance or "hold" may be the sensation of having something in reserve...
being able to slowly build a dynamic may be easier to control with this.
That being said, I don't care to work so hard in order to get through my community band charts.
Ralph has often said that modern mouthpieces based on French designs have too small a chamber for proper tuning.
If you have something that plays well, and with a minimum of fuss - KEEP IT!
PS - What sort of reed do you find the RM to like best? I found his facings to be a little short for my comfort...
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Author: Bill
Date: 2005-01-02 00:18
The Gonzalez FOF reeds fit ... just! The mouthpieces are tremendously short! I have heard one complaint is that they can play sharp.
Bill.
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2005-01-03 01:44
I had a similar experience.
With a larger chamber (Ralph says most pieces are 30% too small by volume), you've got to make the tuning work out by other means.
My sense was that the facing curves were short, and required constant reed adjustments.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2005-01-03 13:42
I'm a huge fan of Ralph Morgan's mouthpieces. I've tried a lot of mouthpieces over the years and for whatever reason Morgan mouthpieces are a perfect fit for my tonal conception. I've tried the RM06, RM10, RM15, RM28, J5 and J6 models. Each one is excellent in it's own right. I sometimes go back and forth between the RM10, RM15, and RM28. They are my favorites. I'm currently using the RM28 most often for big band and jazz playing and the RM10 for classical work.
Interestingly, my favorite Morgan saxophone mouthpiece is the 3C. I've tried all of Ralph's saxophone mouthpiece models and found that I get a bigger, more vibrant and robust sound with the 3C than with his jazz mouthpieces (such as the L and EL). It works beautifully on my 1934 Buescher New Aristocrat tenor in big band, small group jazz, and saxophone quartet settings. I have several 3C mouthpieces. Each one has subtle differences from the others. The one that I received most recently from Ralph is absolutely incredible. I only wish that I had this mouthpiece YEARS ago!
My reed of choice on both clarinet and saxophone is Alexander Classique.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-01-03 13:49
SB,
If I remember correctly, the LaVoz reeds have a VERY short cut (so much that to me they look 'ridiculous'). Maybe they would suit a mouthpiece with a shorter curve. The "U" of the cut is MUCH higher than on Gonzalez or Vandies.
Also, thanks for the comment, "If you have something that plays well, and with a minimum of fuss - KEEP IT!" What a great piece of advice.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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