 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-07-18 04:40
I know this seems like a petty problem that people may not be able to help me with, and I may be merely told to decide on my own, but I'll present my problem nonetheless, lest some person here has a solution!
I am trying out 2 very good mouthpieces (walter grabner if that makes any difference)...the K11 and K13...and I just can not decide between them! My teacher swears by her K13 and says it's easier to find good reeds on. I find that it responds well and gives me a nice sound. It sounds good in all registers, however I feel that it does not respond as well as the K11, which seems to have a fuller sound (and perhaps I am conditioned to like more close tip mouthpieces? who knows...) and also has a good sound. But even if it sounds like I like the K11 better, I have my days where I feel as though I should keep the K13...
I wonder if anyone has ever had this "problem"? What did you do? Is there anything I should be doing to test the mouthpieces for response and etc? My teacher told me to use the same reed when comparing, just so that the variables are cut down and I am not comparing reeds, but mouthpieces. And thus I have been alternating between my good 4s and good 3.5s [vandoren] during my practice sessions. (my excercises: I have been playing an F scale, 3 octaves slurred, then tongued, then 4 groups of 16th notes on a low F scale tongued. I also just play through music and excercises on each one. Sometimes I switch every few minutes, sometimes I play a full practice session on one MP, and sometimes I do half and half to compare. I have also been trying to hide the model number [K11/K13] so I wont feel biased when playing one or the other based on my pre-concieved notions...)
thank you.
Is there anything else I should be doing to test the MP??
-Lindsie
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2005-07-18 05:05
Keep both of them!
One of my colleagues has at least three mpcs for each of his single reed instruments. It is absolutely amazing how differently he can make his soprano sax sound by swapping mouthpieces!
I've a favorite, a close second, some others and a bag of crappy ones. I loan the collection to others, and they often come back liking one of the turkies.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2005-07-18 06:04
Krafty Walter. Sending out two. He got me that way with a pair of eefer mouthpieces. The two were fairly similar and both played far better than anything else I had ever tried. I finally kept them both. (Don't expect much of a discount on the second one, though ![[frown]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie2.gif) .)
I hate to disagree with a teacher but, in this case, I do. I just can't buy the rationale of using the same strength reed to test both mouthpieces "to eliminate a variable." The goal here is to find the best setup for you in the long run -- not to simplify the decision or to run a controlled experiment. I think a more appropriate strategy is to find the reed brand/strength that optimizes each mouthpiece's performance for you and then compare the two combinations.
BTW, if you think you may send one back, don't trust the thin electrician's tape (?) he provides as a mouthpiece patch (unless you play double lip). Put on one of your own. In less than 20 minutes of playing, I had worn a hole clear through his patch and slightly scratched the beak of the mouthpiece (and didn't even realize it).
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-07-18 09:39
play them both at pp dynamic
find out what the mouthpiece can give to you, not just what it can take....
play the cadenza from Cappricio espangol (sp?)
play it softly and slowly- do you have to change your embochure or move your jaw as you go up to the higher notes? does the first upper reg C respond the same as the open G? does the top C stick/jump out if you go up to it without adjusting?
(if you don't know this cadenza, just play Amin arp for 2 octaves then continue up to the high C....)
you should be able to play softly without having to "work" with your mouth.
donald
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Author: redwine
Date: 2005-07-18 12:38
Hello,
Jack Kissinger is right about not using the same reed to test two different mouthpieces (unless those mouthpieces have the same facing and interior resistance). I am not familiar with Walter's designators, but as you said, they were different facings. Different facings require different reeds. A close facing requires a hard reed to work properly, an open facing requires a soft reed to work properly. So, trying a really good close mouthpiece with a soft reed will feel and sound like a really bad mouthpiece, and vice versa. My best advice is to always choose the mouthpiece that feels the best to you, because eventually, you will sound like you, regardless of what you play--you will make slight adjustments to the way you blow, etc. until you sound like your ideal of a clarinet (whether that is good or bad). So, you might as well feel good while making that sound.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: William
Date: 2005-07-18 16:51
During a clinic presentation, Charles Neidich seemed unhappy with his reed. However, instead of switching to a different reed, he rather chose to switch to another mouthpiece. He explained that he always carries two mpcs that play "almost" the same for that very reason--and, nalthough to us, the sound stilled seemed the same, he said, "Ah, that's better".
When I was in college, I had the same problem choosing between two Chicago Kaspar mpc that my teacher gave me to try. Long story short, I bought them both--for a grand total of $24.00. A couple of years ago, I sold the one that I had never played for some "big bucks"--but now wish that I had not. My "bottom line" advice, if you like them, buy both of them and enjoy.
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Author: archer1960
Date: 2005-07-18 17:00
William wrote:
> During a clinic presentation, Charles Neidich seemed unhappy
> with his reed. However, instead of switching to a different
> reed, he rather chose to switch to another mouthpiece. He
> explained that he always carries two mpcs that play "almost"
> the same for that very reason--and, nalthough to us, the sound
> stilled seemed the same, he said, "Ah, that's better".
Maybe the difference was that he didn't have to work as hard to get the same sound?
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2005-07-18 17:11
I don't know why, but the title of this thread made an awful old Top-40 song pop into my head (and now it won't leave, dammit!): "Torn between two lovers; feeling like a fool......."
Please make it stop.
Next thing you know I'll be humming songs by Air Supply and Eric Carmen....GACKKKKKK!!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2005-07-19 16:19
Tom Ridenour says that a closer mouthpiece is pickier about reeds but produces a more concentrated tone. I can hear what he's talking abot, but still prefer a more open design.
No one can help you decide without hearing you play. Get in a large room with someone whose ears you trust and have them listen close up and far away.
After that, it's entirely about personal preference.
Ken Shaw
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Author: 3dogmom
Date: 2005-07-19 18:19
Thanks a lot, David. Now I've got it too.
What about switching ligatures as well? That is a factor which can make each mouthpiece play differently. If you have a couple, line things up and try them systematically.
Sue Tansey
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