 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Clariphant in Bb
Date: 2006-10-19 01:01
Sorry about yet another mouthpiece topic, but I'm in a predicament. I'm currently using, as I've posted previously, a John Pierce jazz clarinet moutpiece. It has a very large tip opening, and I realize that it is not the ideal piece to use for classical stuff, auditions, etc. I also have a Morgan Protone, Morgan RM-10 and Vandoren B45 Lyre, but I can't say I really enjoy playing any of them. They just seem to cause a lot of pressure in the back of my mouth. I like the John Pierce, because I feel that it can take all of the air I blow into it instead of letting it build up in the back of my throat. I know that one solution would be to simply back off the amount of air I'm using, but I'm wondering if there is a mouthpiece that is similar to the JP in its feel but is more suitable for classical music. I've already seen mentioned that the Pomarico jazz* piece might be suitable for classical despite its large tip opening, but if at all possible, I'd like to avoid using a fragile crystal piece. Are there any suggestions as to a mouthpiece that would fit my description?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2006-10-19 02:00
This might seem like a strange recommendation (given the 1.08 mm tip size of this mouthpiece) but I HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Walter Grabner K14.
Walter designed the K14 to be easier blowing and especially good for doublers and jazz players. It's also superb for classical work.
I had been using a more open mouthpiece for the past few years. Perhaps for that reason, when I first tried the K14 I wasn't sure about it. However, it very quickly grew on me and now I feel completely comfortable with it.
I'd describe the K14's sound as dark, creamy, BIG (!), resonant, and consistant through the range of the instrument. It also has a truly amazing amount of projection. It projects in a big band effortlessly....even in the clarion range. No more struggling to be heard! And, articulation on the K14 is like a dream. I'm extremely impressed with this mouthpiece!
Several days ago I spoke with Walter and we discussed some of his design features. He specifically recommends not thinking about the size of the tip opening. Rather, he says its about the feeling of the mouthpiece and how it plays. Thus, the K14 might seem like a strange recommendation as you've been playing a JP. But, I have a hunch that the K14 might really surprise you....and you might become hooked on its incredible sound and performance.
Roger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bufclar
Date: 2006-10-19 03:11
I would check out Clark Fobes mouthpieces. They are all very well made as are the Grabners. They can help you get a beautiful classical sound and they are in my opinion some of the most free blowing mouthpieces on the market. I have played many Grabner mouthpieces and they are very good but the Fobes are much more free blowing and provide clear articulation. I feel Grabner mouthpieces take a lot of work to get a good clear articulation on where as Fobes and Greg Smith articulate with complete ease and clarity. This is not to knock Grabners mouthpieces but for me they took to much work. I would also say that in my somewhat limited experience with mouthpieces, that the Grabners have the thickest rails that I have seen and while maybe the thick rails help to create a very reed friendly facing, they also can get in the way (for me anyways) in the articulation department. Good luck in your search and give Clark a call...he is a true gentlemen.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: joannew
Date: 2006-10-19 07:23
Why do you feel that your favourite mouthpiece is not suitable for classical music? Just because the marketing dept likes to call one 'jazz' and another 'classical' to sell more mouthpieces, doesn't mean you can't create the music you want on the setup you like. If you feel you have more 'useable' air on the jazz setup, then it should be easier for you to create the subtle nuances of clasical music than on a high pressure mouthpiece, no?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2006-10-19 18:27
Bufclar,
Do you happen to know if Fobes mouthpieces are as reed-friendly for Legere reeds as Grabner's. One of the reasons why I started using Grabner mouthpieces is how beautifully they perform with Legere.
Thanks, Roger
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Don Berger
Date: 2006-10-19 18:52
The easiest [lowest] B P mp I've found is an old Woodwind Co. G8 facing which a "pro" said was his "most responsive" he had found. Mine surprised me on an old Selmer A as "brightening" the "dark" almost to a Bb sound. The G8 facing is prob. available on modern mps, but there are other factors, I'm sure. FWIW, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Clariphant in Bb
Date: 2006-10-20 02:18
Don Berger wrote:
> The easiest [lowest] B P mp I've found is an old Woodwind Co.
> G8 facing which a "pro" said was his "most responsive" he had
> found. Mine surprised me on an old Selmer A as "brightening"
> the "dark" almost to a Bb sound. The G8 facing is prob.
> available on modern mps, but there are other factors, I'm sure.
> FWIW, Don
>
After reading your post, I've decided to stick with the JP for awhile. In all truth, I've never had someone (who's actually heard me) criticize my tone as bright or harsh. I suppose I may have been believing unquestionably in the marketing description associated with the mouthpiece and in the means by which other have used it. In my limited experience with auditions, the reccomendations I've gotten were usually technical issues, not tonal issues, so I suppose that for me, it might be suitable for non-jazz. I do use hard reeds on it, so that's probably already atypical. The long facing probably is what makes me able to do so. I've noticed that I can play much longer and breath much less with the JP than with the B45 or (to a lesser extent) the RM10. I suppose endurance, phrasing, and dynamic contrast are just as important as tone, and the JP allows me greater control of all of these. Thank you very much for helping me reach this realization. I won't be switching to another mouthpiece unless I find a concrete reason to do so.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
