 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Keil
Date: 2000-02-20 17:52
Okay if you aren't currently playing on a Buffet R13 please go to another link. Right now i am going crazy because i'm getting little to no progress with my clarinet, at least it seems that way, i'm at a stand still.
Okay here we go i want to know everyone's setup: Mouthpiece, ligature, reed (strength and brand), and barrel (if different from stock barrel). I know we've been through this time and again but if i can compile a list of people and there setup i will know where to begin. Does anyone have reccomendations for setups that work for them that give a certain tone characteristic? If so feel free to share.
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Author: Nicole Y.
Date: 2000-02-20 18:21
Ummm...just because one doesn't play a Buffet R13 doesn't mean you can't use "their" setup. What about if they were playing a Rossi or Patricola, Leblanc or Yamaha, Selmer??? Diversity of makers means more innovation so don't think that because they don't play a Buffet R13 that they can't relate. For instance, I play a Noblet *and VERY proud of it...I had a Buffet Evette...but I hated it...what works for me might not work for you and vice versa* and I play on a 3.5 Marca Traditional and a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece with a Rovner Dark ligature and I am happy with the sound I can produce. Note: tone rated superior before the braces. Also, even R13s made by Buffet vary. And then there are people who have them "tweaked". So don't be biased just because I'm not playing a Buffet...you may think that people who play them can give you help, but they're not you and they don't get the sound you produce, you have to make allowances. Why not just ask everyone?
The Freshman,
Nicole Y.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-02-20 18:22
Keil wrote:
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Okay if you aren't currently playing on a Buffet R13 please go to another link. Right now i am going crazy because i'm getting little to no progress with my clarinet, at least it seems that way, i'm at a stand still.
Okay here we go i want to know everyone's setup:
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Please do this privately, not here.
Equipment isn't going to help you progress unless something you have is completely out of whack, and your teacher should be guiding you in this. There are so many possibilities of equipment that I don't think it'll help you, but, as I said, you're welcome to do it on your own.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-20 18:48
Keil,
You say you are at a standstill but you have not given any indication what you are having difficulty with. Depending on the problem, the solutions vary. So long as your equipment is maintained in working order and is halfway decent to start with, then equipment is seldom the problem.
How long have you been playing? Do you have a private teacher? What specific things do you or the teacher not like about your playing? What specific techniques are giving you difficulty?
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Author: Keil
Date: 2000-02-20 20:03
My teacher and i both agree that my reeds are the root of all evil, i'm not trying to exclude anyone i'm only trying to get the most case specific info, i'm sure your setup on your noblet is great, however, i do not play on a noblet and i sure that the differences between a noblet and R13 are far more drastic than those between two R13's. I play on a vandoran M13, Rovner ligature- i have no idea the specific kind it has 2 tiny holes in the center where the reed lies. I've been playing for a year soon to be 2, i'm not having problems with technique, my problem lies in the inconsistency of reeds, mouthpiece, ligature? i have no idea are there other people having the same trouble?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-02-20 20:10
Keil,
You're just starting out on the instrument as you mentioned on another post (less than 2 years). It's way too early for you to be looking at equipment for any major changes - what you have is a normal, fine setup. Don't fiddle with the mechanics looking for a solution at this point - you've got a long way to go. This is practice, practice, practice time - in 2 or 3 years you'll have a different set of ideas on what to look for.
There's no "magic bullet", and at this stage the different answers aree more likely to confuse than to help.
If you're not having problems with technique at this stage either you're a prodigy or you're not really being challenged by your teacher!
Your mouthpiece and ligature can't be inconsistent - they're fixed. The reeds are somewhat inconsistent of course, but with practice and breath control work you'll learn how to make the best of what you've got. You've just started down the long road of learning, and nothing except time & practice is going to help at this point.
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2000-02-20 23:16
WARNING KEIL!!! In a "Re:" at your previous post I wrote about improving the low E by drilling a vent-hole in the bell. DON'T have such an operation done if you haven't been playing for more than two years yet. Have patience. Like Mark said. It's a long road and since your setup is professional already, only time, practice and the right guidance can help.
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Author: Brandon
Date: 2000-02-21 03:06
When I had been playing for a year or so I always did experiments to try and fix problems. Usually, the problem did not rest in my setup, rather it was me. Not to sound harsh or anything. The setup you have may be a little advanced. Obviously I have no idea how good you are. But, the M13 mp is designed for a reed that is strength 3-4(approx). I played on a 2.5 for about my first three years. Maybe you need a more open mpc. The B45 is an excellent mpc that is more open than the M13. Many users on this board play on one. Do you know how to adjust reeds? I cannot play many reeds right out of the box without tweeking them a bit. From the way you described the problem it sounds like you have a reed/mpc adjustment problem. Mark said it right though. At this stage you just have to practice, practice, and practice. At this point there is no reason to buy an expensive setup.
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Author: James Marioneaux
Date: 2000-02-21 15:05
I personally prefer the 5RV Lyre for my students (I play one also). I agree with previous posts that say you should not worry about a mouthpiece change for a while. If you are dead set on a mouthpiece change and your teacher thinks you should change, you might try the 5RV Lyre.
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Author: caro
Date: 2000-02-21 15:56
Actually, I have my beginners buy the Hite Premiere. It works great, is very consistent, and is cheap enough to buy another when they inevitably break the first one they get. 
Seriously, I had several kids choose that from a blind test (they didn't know what was good/rubber/plastic from anything else) - they chose it over Van Dorens, Gigliottis and Selmers! Once kids are past the stage of braces etc. I get them to move on. Growing kids do not need to be on a pro mouthpiece. (Right now I like the M13s and M14s for the older students.)
As for the Buffet thing - You are too new of a player to say whether one is better than another, or whether one is drastically different from another. When you get to that level, then you can judge.
Caro
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Author: Kim
Date: 2000-02-23 02:28
I am having trouble with reeds-who doesn't? It is a constant battle for all reed players. We all ask ourselves which reed is the best. As one person in my college said, "There is a reed for all seasons."
Anyway, I play on a Buffet R-13, Vandoren M 13, V-12 3 1/2 and 4, Mitchell Lurie 4 1/2, and have a Bonade lig. I also am going to try the Grand Select Thick Blank 3 1/2 and the inverted Bonade.
I am really trying to figure out which combination is best for me. I hate the fact that just a few weeks ago, all of my reeds stopped playing on my old mouthpiece! What I suggest to you is to try out new reeds, maybe even a new mouthpiece to find the best working combination for yourself. It is frustrating, but something will always work out.
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-02-27 00:02
In Oklahoma & many neighboring/nearby states, this isn't the best time of the year to discuss REEDS, due to weather-humidity conditions that are prevalent in winter time. I know of many people who are pulling some hair over reed frustration.
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Author: Joslyn
Date: 2000-02-29 21:01
I currently underwent a long and painful clarinet search. Being in my Junior year and planning on majoring in music, I decided I wanted a GOOD clarinet. I was not impressed with the Noblet's and such- they didn't do what I needed them to. Buffet R13's are nice. Buffet R13 Greenlines are wonderful, with a deep dark tone and they're guarenteed not to crack. They are 95% wood and 5% composite. The Yamaha Professional's are good and if you tend to have a dark tone, this will brighten it up. But my favorite is the new Buffet R13 Vintage Clarinet. I ended up buying this one. I play on Mitchell Lurie reeds, which are far better than Vandorens, and I have a Vandoren Ligature that comes with three interchangable plates for different tone. So look into that stuff and good luck.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-02-29 23:02
Joslyn wrote:
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I play on Mitchell Lurie reeds, which are far better than Vandorens ...
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Just to remind you - you will probably change your mind many, many times in the future. Don't use absolutes - you'll regret it someday.
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