 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Alex M.
Date: 2006-04-18 14:14
Greetings, All!
Well, after all of your helpful advice and encouragement, I feel I owe it to you to let you know how I'm getting on.
My teacher called on Saturday morning to tell me he had my rental instrument and would like to come by for my first lesson. Here's my set up:
Buffet B12 (used)
Vandoren B45 mouthpiece
#2 reeds (RICO?)
He thinks I ought to switch to a #2.5 reed soon. The book I am using to get started is the "A Tune A Day" series for Clarinet by C. Paul Herfurth. I was pleased to find that I could still read music after a fashion; I haven't looked at it in nearly 25 years.
The first lesson went as might be expected: humiliation at my ability coupled with excitement. I was gratified to be able to generate a decent sound out of the instrument, which excitement was tempered by SQUEEKS and SQUAWKS. Practice, practice, practice, I guess. I also need to overcome a habit I developed on trumpet in grade school--you don't need to blow like hell on the clarinet!
All in all, I am delighted to be started along this adventure. As I get a little better, I will check in. I am sure to need your advice when it comes time to purchase a permanent replacement for my used rental horn. That should come in about 3-6 months, depending on my progress.
Thank you again for your support.
Alex
Alex M.
Massachusetts
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-04-18 14:30
>I haven't looked at it in nearly 25 years.
it comes back fairly quickly.
have fun....
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-04-18 14:34
Alex M. wrote:
> Buffet B12 (used)
> Vandoren B45 mouthpiece
> #2 reeds (RICO?)
>
> He thinks I ought to switch to a #2.5 reed soon. The book I am
> I also need to overcome a habit I
> developed on trumpet in grade school--you don't need to blow
> like hell on the clarinet!
Alex - As a clarinet teacher who has taught MANY students, both young and old, new and restarters, I would not recommend the B45 as your first mouthpiece.
As we have written numerous times on this bulletin board, the B45 is too resistant for someone just beginning clarinet. Thus, the reason you feel that you need to blow "like hell."
My recommendation would be to try a less resistant mouthpiece such as the Fobes Debut, Hite Premiere, Yamaha 4C or Gennusa GE*S. All will probably feel more comfortable and take less air to blow. The cost of these mouthpieces are all in the $35 range.
Perhaps this is something you can discuss with your teacher.
Best wishes ...GBK
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-04-18 19:37
Alex,
I also started with the B45 MP and had terrible problems with it. At the time I knew nothing about tip openings, reed strengths etc. I almost gave up, but then tried the 5RV and suddenly everything sounded great.
The Herfurth book is okay, but I find it a bit old fashioned and dry. I recommend the 'Learn as you play clarinet' by Peter Wastall which has much nicer pieces of music and, like the Herfurth book, can usually be found second hand on Ebay.
Also the old Klose book (is it still in print?) which I always loved because even the exercises sound like concert pieces.
Steve
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Author: mtague
Date: 2006-04-19 00:34
The Klose-Lazarus method? It goes through different keys, has mechanism exercises and some longer pieces in the back? I got that new at House of Woodwinds. Well, at least it was new looking. I'll check the publishing copyright later to see how new it actually is.
Well, it doesn't have a publishing date, but Rubank publishes it and it says it was $8.95 on the back.
Post Edited (2006-04-19 07:43)
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Author: Alex M.
Date: 2006-04-20 13:00
GBK,
Thanks for the advice on mouthpieces. I had read posts advising against the B45 for young players because it is too resistent (I'm not sure if that is the right word). I did not think it would be a problem for an older player. Of course, I'm not sure that it is a problem for me. Nonetheless, I will speak to my teacher about it at our second lesson, which is scheduled for next week.
Meanwhile, I expect I should pick up another mouth piece just to try out and satisfy myself and my teacher that the B45 is okay (or not). I have heard a lot of good about the Hite Premiere. For the cost, it seems worth the investment. Any further advice on it or others you recommend above it? Also (and here I demonstrate how new I am to this), what do you recommend for a ligature in combination with the Hite Premiere? Or with the B45, for that matter?
As I said, I am currently renting a Buffet B12. I like it well enough, and am growing familiar with the fingering. Given that, I expect I will buy a B12 as my beginning instrument. Does that change your recommendation on the mouthpiece?
Thanks again for your help.
Alex
Alex M.
Massachusetts
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-04-20 13:31
Alex - During the first stages of learning, or relearning the clarinet, the choice of the correct mouthpiece can either make the experience pleasurable or frustrating. Thus, you need to have your teacher help in findind the mouthpiece that fits your embouchure, teeth/jaw configuration, oral cavity, bite, etc...
Traditionally, many teachers tend to steer their students in the direction of a medium to medium closed mouthpiece so they can gain control of their sound. The B45, with a fairly open facing, tends to encourage overblowing.
The B12 clarinet, if in good adjustment, should be fine to learn on. The choice of ligature (and their are MANY choices) comes down to either a fabric or metal variety. Again, discuss this with your teacher, as he may have preference for one type over the other.
Generally, metal ligatures let the reed vibrate freer and permit the upper partials to ring truer. Fabric ligatures, on the other hand, can make the sound a bit more covered, less strident, but seem to dampen some of the upper harmonics...GBK
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-04-20 19:11
-- "The Klose-Lazarus method? It goes through different keys, has mechanism exercises and some longer pieces in the back? " --
More or less, but mine has no mention of 'Lazarus' anywhere.
Cover page:
H. Klose (acute accent over 'e')
Celebrated method for the clarinet.
Revised and enlarged by Simeon Bellison.
Carl Fischer.
It's in 2 parts. Total 293 pages. Copyright 1946 Carl Fischer.
Who on earth is 'Lazarus'?
Steve
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Author: mtague
Date: 2006-04-20 19:25
I don't know who Lazarus is. It is much smaller than your book. I bought it mainly for the mechanism studies while waiting for a different book to arrive, but my private teacher liked this book and now it is my main study book. I found a link to it on the web.
http://www.activemusician.com/store/product.asp?sku=HL.04470740&nav=p-simi&c=
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-04-20 19:27
Alex, I do have a Hite Premiere and a Rovner "dark" ligature. Works fine here, and definitely didn't break the bank.
I wish I hadn't sold my Goldentone...back then I found it great (compared to the 4C) but my teacher considered it too bright, somehow.
--
Ben
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-04-20 19:31
stevensfo wrote:
> Who on earth is 'Lazarus'?
"Give me your tired, your poor, Your huddled masses yearning to breathe free." - Emma Lazarus
...GBK ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
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Author: stevensfo
Date: 2006-04-20 19:59
> "Your huddled masses yearning
> to breathe free." - Emma Lazarus
>
>
> ...GBK
>
>
Ah... he designed mouthpieces for young clarinetists. It all makes sense now. Thanks!
Steve ;-)
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Author: diz
Date: 2006-04-20 21:54
I must be old ... I learned clarinet primarily from "lazarus" and suffered no major drawbacks (at least ones I'll admit to in public).
Without music, the world would be grey, very grey.
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Author: Alex M.
Date: 2006-05-05 19:15
GBK,
I haven't had another lesson yet since my last post, so I have not yet had the opportunity to meet with my teacher on mouthpieces, ligatures and reeds.
I have found that the RICO #2 reeds don't hold up very long or well (for me, anyway, they get soggy quickly). I switched to some other reeds my teacher had provided, Vandoren 2.5s. Naturally, there is a huge difference between them in terms of hardness and wearability. They are more work for me in that I have to be careful of my embouchure (which, of course, is good practice anyway), but I can manage.
That said, I have been reading all I can on the boards about mouthpieces, ligatures, reeds and different combinations. I look forward to discussing these options with my teacher. In the meantime, I have been trying to find where I can try out and buy them. I am in Boston, and am surprised at the lack of resources. The only music store in the city appears to be Rayburn's. So far, they have not had any of the mouthpieces I have inquired about, and when I asked if it was something they carried or could order, I was told "I can't help you with that; I don't even know where we get them." This reflects the experiences I have had with them on each of my several phone calls and visits to the store. I'm sure the more experienced players who have a relationship with the Rayburn's staff get better service, but such an attitude is a discouragement to beginners.
Is anyone aware of resources in and around Boston? A search of the BB did not turn up much promising information. I can always order online, but that does not give me the same opportunity to try out, discuss, etc. with the staff.
Finally, I am very interested in the Hite Premiere, but following Mr. Hite's passing away, I cannot tell if the company still exists. Anyone know if mouthpieces are still being manufactured by J&D Hite? Have they been acquired by another company? If so, have the mouthpieces changed in quality or design?
Thanks in advance.
Alex M.
Alex M.
Massachusetts
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Author: susieray
Date: 2006-05-06 17:02
Alex,
Is the B45 included in the rental? If it is, then you might see if you can get whoever you are renting from to substitute a different Vandoren mouthpiece for the B45. The 5RV might be a better choice, it has a closer facing than the B45....and if you can get it included with the rental it would save you having to go out and buy another mouthpiece right now. Just a thought.
Sue
Post Edited (2006-05-06 17:15)
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