 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: antaresclar
Date: 2009-09-13 22:07
Greetings!
Last weekend I took a group of four of my students from the Shenandoah Conservatory, where I currently serve as the Anna Lee Van Buren Assistant Professor of Clarinet, up to NYC to work with my good friend the clarinet MP maker Ramon Wodkowski.
Ramon spent the afternoon (over three hours) working in detail with each student on their current MP's (Greg Smith, Grabner, and Vandoren M13). In each case the adjustments he made were dead on and greatly improved each of the MP's response and depth of sound. He was extremely detailed in his approach and treated each student with a great deal of professionalism and respect. It is clear to me that Ramon has studied the art of mouthpiece making/refacing extensively and has become a MP maker of superior skill.
He has been mentioned positively a few times on this board and I am writing this post to encourage other clarinetists/students/professors to take advantage of his work. I have used one of his mouthpieces since 2001 and have never found anything better.
Ramon lives in London so his appearances in the U.S. are few. I understand that he will be at the Michigan State Clarinet Day in October. I strongly encourage clarinetists in the U.S. to seek out his work. You won't be sorry!!
Best Wishes,
Garrick Zoeter
Clarinetist, Antares
Anna Lee Van Buren Asst. Prof. of Clarinet
The Shenandoah Conservatory
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Author: cigleris
Date: 2009-09-13 22:47
Here here. He is certainly a mouthpiece guru having injected life into three of mine that I thought I'd never play. I can't recommend him enough.
Peter Cigleris
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Author: Christopher Bush
Date: 2009-09-14 14:53
Any idea how long Ramon will be in town this time? I'd be interested in trying one of his mouthpieces while he's in the NY area.
CB
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-09-14 15:43
Ooooooo..........mouthpieces..........Still working on testing a few others but I hope one day to test a Wodkowski.
Alexi
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Author: Jon P
Date: 2009-09-17 11:37
Ramon tells me that his newest mouthpiece line aimed at the American market is ready. He has already sold-out completely of the first prototypes.
I can't emphasize strong enough the difference playing on Ramon's mouthpieces has made to my playing since I switched. All of a sudden it was possible to just get on and play without the constant search for reeds etc. I've had great results playing on several of the facings he has offered me and I have no intention of trying any else.
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Author: spartanclarinet
Date: 2009-09-17 21:14
I have been using Ramon's mouthpieces and have to say that they are terrific. My students are having success with them as well.
Garrick, above, mentioned that he will come to the U.S. soon. That is true; I invited Ramon to present at our annual clarinet day at Michigan State University on October 10. He will make himself available for refacing, touch ups, and to let others try his new mouthpieces.
Justin O'Dell
Michigan State University
http://web.mac.com/clarinetquintet/MSUClarinetStudio/MSU_Clarinet_Extravaganza_2009.html
Justin O'Dell
http://web.mac.com/clarinetquintet/iWeb/MSUClarinetStudio/MSU.html
http://www.music.msu.edu/people/detail.php?id=83
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-09-18 02:53
While his mouthpieces are certainly revered by the posts I've seen here as top-notch, I can't help but wonder if Greg Smith, Walter Grabner, or any of the other top-makers would have the same success if they were afforded the opportunity to make it and adjust it there with the client right in front of them.
I'm not trying to "downplay" Mr. Wodkowski's mouthpieces, just a curiousity that I thought of while reading this post. Certainly those other top-name mouthpices can be improved upon, but maybe because they were made hundreds/thousands of miles away and then SHIPPED with a sorta "one size fits all" facing. A very GOOD universal facing, but a 'universal' facing nonetheless.
Still, I'd rather have a larger number of very good mouthpiece craftsmen to choose from than a smaller one. All the more easier to get a good one. Ideally, I think it would benefit someone to do as the original poster has done, and be there WITH the craftsmen for fine adjustments.
Alexi
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