 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: KL
Date: 2000-06-05 11:16
Can anyone help me in understanding the effect an "open" or "closed" mouthpiece will have on the tone of a clarinet as well as the perceived resistance. Suppose we compare the relatively open Vandoren B45. mpc with a more closed 5RV mpc and we use a V12 of strength 3.5 which mpc will be more resistant and which one would allow greater control over sound?
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-06-05 11:48
KL - do the experiment! You've described it well; go down to the music store and give it a whirl. You'll learn more doing it that way than having us tell you what is <b>supposed</b> to happen :^)
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Author: J. Butler
Date: 2000-06-05 12:12
One chooses reed strength to compliment the mouthpiece. Generally speaking you can play a harder reed on a close tip mouthpiece. On a more open mouthpiece a reed on a slightly softer side is desired. They both have their advantages. I believe that a more consistant tone quality is produced by the close tip mouthpiece. I think that flexibility goes to the more open mouthpiece, but I think one sacrifices an even tone quality through the registers. I am not a mouthpiece expert and perhaps Gregory Smith can add to this post.
J. Butler
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Author: 1
Date: 2000-06-05 13:52
An open mpc can use a softer reed a closed mpc needs a harder reed
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-06-05 22:16
I have both mps, but I'm a mere adult novice. For me (of little air support and weak embouchure) the more open mp with softer reed is an easier combo to play for me. Note that I didn't say or rate anything else.
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Author: Graham Elliott
Date: 2000-06-06 16:56
The final tip opening dimension is not the whole story. The angle of departure from the flat table, and also the length of the lay play very important parts. For instance, I compared a B45 (open) with an M13 (close) with relatively little difference in playing resistance on most reeds (although the harder reeds did not seem to be quite so hard on the M13, but softer reeds were not particularly soft). The reason may be that the M13 has a sharp angle of departure from the flat table and thereafter a flatter set of rails opening towards the tip. The lay is longer than the B45, but that departure angle equalised the resistance. Of course, a short close facing can utilise reeds of the same general strength as a long open facing, but here is where reed cut comes in, since some reeds will be cut as more suitable for a short facing, and others as more suitable for a long facing. As Mark says, try the mouthpieces out.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-06-09 00:53
As Mark has said, you really should try them for yourself as the particular player is a very important part of the "setup."
However here is my experience. I can get the same tone out of both mouthpieces. The difference is that on the B45, I must pay more attention to the tone and make sure that I, the player, stay in control. So why would I choose it over the 5RV? Well for me, I can get more volume out of the B45 and there is also less resistance. So if I am playing outdoors or if there aren't enough clarinets to balance the brass that day or if I am just kind of tired, then I pick the B45. I will use the 5RV when I don't want to have to pay such close attention to controlling the tone. This might be when I know the music will have tricky passages that I need to focus on other aspects of my technique.
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