 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Frank
Date: 2000-11-02 17:44
I started playing about a month ago and used a friend's "no name" Chinese made clarinet with a Vandoren B-45 mouthpiece and a Vandoren 2.5 reed. My clarinet teacher uses a chromatic tuner and I always played just a little sharp. Well yesterday I bought a brand new Buffet Crampon B-12 clarinet and when using the same B-45 mouthpiece, I played terribly flat. I did not bring the stock mouthpiece that came with the clarinet because I thought my B-45 would be a better mouthpiece. When I use the same mouthpiece on my teacher's clarient, I play much more in tune. My teacher therefore believes my B-45 mouthpiece may not be suited well to the Buffet Crampon B-12.
I noticed the bore of the clarinet was a little smaller than others on the market (.575 on the Buffet B-12 compared to .584 on the Vito 7212), does this make a difference as to the mouthpiece I should use? Does anyone have an opinion as to a better mouthpiece to use with the Buffet Crampon B-12?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Aaron
Date: 2000-11-02 22:05
I play a B-12 for marching band in college. I also play R-13's for my A and Bb.
I have found that some mouthpieces play flat on the horn. I use a Hite Premier, mainly because it's cheap($ approx $25), plastic, and it was nearer the Hite 121-d that I was playing at the time. The B45 is a good student mouthpiece. When I have played my B45 on the B-12 I found it to be a little flatter than my hite. However I find the B-12 to play sharp anyway, expically when it's hot outside. The flatness may come more for breath support and embouchure. Aalso the Vito has less resistance than the B-12. With the B-12 you have a considerable more amout of resistance then Vitos. I had to play a Vito a few weeks agao while m B012 was getting pads. If this is the case, I'm shure that breath support is most likely the reason behind the drop in pitch. Work with your teacher on those aspects. It takes some getting used to.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Allen Cole
Date: 2000-11-03 19:15
The B45 is fairly open, but I wouldn't want to use less than a #3 reed on one. Their pitch tends to be a bit more flexible (which I like) but a softer reed and lack of support may keep it flat.
A lot of band directors have had good experiences with the Vandoren 5RV & 5RV Lyre, as well as the Hite Premiere with younger students who use softer reeds. I haven't tried the Hite, but have been told be some that it outperforms the 5RV. (the low price is because it's made of plastic...but then so's your clarinet!)
Vandoren's site is http://www.vandoren.com, and I think that Hite's site is http://www.janddhite.com.
Good luck, and I hope you enjoy playing the horn.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2000-11-04 11:21
The Chinese horn may have been built sharp to start with. Student grade instruments sometimes are as students often play flat due to undeveloped embouchure and breath support. Some one who switches from a horn built sharp to one that is built more in tune will play flat for a while until they get used to it. Since you have been playing for only a month, it may take a little extra time to get up to pitch on the B12, a much better instrument by the way than the Chinese imports.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Rene
Date: 2000-11-05 07:25
I am playing the B12 with a Vandoren VD3 (a german mouthpiece!). It is now just a bit sharp, easy to correct .
Rene
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
