 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-08-22 06:20
Just a little story and I'm wondering if others maybe had similar results. For the following, all reed sizes mentioned are of the Vandoren V12 variety and I'm using a Greg Smith 1* mouthpiece.
My embouchure is a little weak right now after taking the summer off from playing, so I need to build it back up again. Last year, I used mainly a shoelace ligature and size 4.5 reed.
I can't play with that setup right now. I can get the sound out, however it wears me out MUCH more quickly than it used it and takes a whole lot of effort for my facial muscles to make that sound that I used to know and love. So I went out and bought two 3.5's to build back up.
The 3.5's with the shoelace ligature seemed a little edgy and uncontrollable and a little too light. However my local music store was out of size 4 vandorens so I couldn't try the "inbetween" size that I suspected might have been 'perfect' for right now.
So I played the 'setup game' and tried out a few different ligatures. Francois Louis ligature, as I expected, still seemed uncontrollable and edgy. Then I tried my Rovner MKIII (which previously on this mouthpiece with a 4.5 reed seemed to muffle the sound and hamper my tonguing) with the size 3.5 reed and was pleasantly surprised. I had to work a little bit to control my volume (I think maybe to the reed being slightly thinner than it should be for this mouthpiece) but I think I might be able to make it work with some size four reeds. And then I would not have to worry about readjusting the reed every time I take my mouthpiece off due to ligature slippage.
Anyone else try something of the same? Taking a seemingly "stuffy" or "less responsive" ligature and pairing it with a thinner, more responsive reed?
Just a quick story as I sit at home at 2:30 AM waiting for work to start 1.5 hours. (The joys of loading trucks in the shipping business!!!)
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-08-22 13:31
Anyone who sends posts to the BB at 2:30 in the morning deserves a response! I've never used anything "harder" than a 2 3/4 Gonz but then I'm not a top notch player.
Bob Draznik
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-08-22 17:39
Considering V12 is about .5 'harder' than the classic VD a 4.5 still seems quite heavy to handle !!
Never felt any need to got that 'strong', but since they market it, there must be some people out there that prefer them.
I feel much more comfortable on 3.0/3.5 V12 (or 2.5/3 on classic), rich tone no problem and all the flexibility I need.
Post Edited (2005-08-22 17:41)
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-08-22 18:10
Indeed, you need a higher number to have the same effect. A 3 V12 equals (more or less) a 2.5 traditional
Peter
Post Edited (2005-08-22 18:12)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-08-22 18:11
bflatclarinetist wrote:
> I thought the v12s were "thinner" than the traditionals.
Nope...
V12 clarinet reeds are built on a 3.15mm template (.124" - hence the name V12). The V12 tip is 0.10mm (.004")
The traditional clarinet reeds are built on a 2.8mm template (.11"). The traditional tip is 0.085mm (0.0035")
The traditional reeds have a scrape which starts higher towards the tip.
The V12 reeds have a different (flatter) U-shaped scrape zone which starts lower - thus a longer vibrational area.
All three types of Vandoren clarinet reeds (V12, traditional, 56) are made from the same cane - either grown by Vandoren or purchased from other suppliers and sources ...GBK
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-08-22 18:14
Don't know the physical details (www.vandoren.com will tell), but in general the same number is less "hard", the same site gives you the details.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2005-08-22 18:53
In your present situation I would stick with the 3 1/2 and the covered sounding ligature. It sounds like you're working way to hard with the 4 1/2. even when you are in shape. Take it easy.....record yourself with the new setup and compare it to the old one....even if you just do short snippets. Your sound probably won't be that much different with the two setups. It might feel very different. John
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-08-22 20:38
Fully agree. V12 3 1/2 should do a nice job. Full sound is not the same as hard reeds.
Post Edited (2005-08-22 20:38)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-08-22 22:02
Arnoldstang,
Sounds like good advice. I need to find a good quality medium somewhere around the house that would allow a decent recording of a few snippets. Looks like the only thing I can use right now would be my computer so I'll do some searching for good mics for it. And I agree that it definitely was much harder on the 4.5s that I used to have. I just have yet to figure out if the 3.5 is TOO responsive (it's dificult for me to start a note at pp with this setup, maybe a slightly harder reed, such as a V12 4 might be needed). Anyways, it's not like I have any upcoming engagements to worry about. So I'll take my time and figure out what's good for the goose (but all you folk out there, don't assume it's good for the gander!)
Alexi
PS - Sorry about the crummy jokes. Been up for 26 hours, and just came home from my 12 hour workday of loading and unloading trucks. And I wouldn't trade it for any deskjob in the world!!!
US Army Japan Band
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2005-08-23 04:05
Alexi,
If u are still using the gigliotti mouthpiece, the 4.5 should be fine, just make sure the tip is balanced.
Love
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