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Re: Vandoren MP Q

Author: Bartmann
Date: 2009-10-08 14:44

Chorus Girl,

I've been doing a comparison of the Vandoren M13, M13 Lyre, and M15 Series 13, profile 88 of these mouthpieces for the past month. I prefer the M15.

The M13 and M15 produce the same resonant sound and are both equally responsive. On taped recordings and through blind playing, my teacher could not tell the difference. The only difference the M15 is easier blowing; the M13 has more resistance. This matters for several reasons:

First the M13 tip opening is so narrow that water accumulates between the rails (sides) of the mouthpiece and the reed and can give you a gurgling sound until you suck it out.

Second the M13 once a reed gets a little old and soft it can close up on the mouthpiece so that you can get no sound. But if you take that same old reed and put it on the M15 you can still play it with good results. So you actually go through fewer reeds with the M15 because you can play them longer.

Third because the M13 has more resistance there is a great difference between the resistance of throat notes A and clarion B: crossing the break. The throat tones are very easy blowing while notes with a lot of fingers down, Chalumeau E,F, and Clarion B, C are highly resistant. The M15 has less resistance so that the transition over the break is easier because the differences between notes with few fingers down and notes with many fingers down is not as significant.

Like I said the sound quality of the M13 and M15 are identical, at least to my and my colleagues' ears. But it's nice to use reeds for a longer time because the M13 is not as forgiving of reed softness. Also not having to worry about water building up on the rails of the mouthpiece is one less hassle to worry about. And the resistance of the M13 makes it more challenging to play.

So if you have two mouthpieces that have the same sound, I would choose the one that's easier, and for me it's the M15.

As a side note I also have the M13 Lyre and didn't like it as much. The facing is shorter, so there is less resonance to the sound that this mouthpiece produces. Although perhaps if I had a smaller mouth, and could take less mouthpiece in my mouth, I might prefer this mouthpiece. Because for the M13, and the M15 to be fully resonant, you have to take a lot of mouthpiece into the mouth.

Of course try both mouthpieces and see which one you like.

Bartmann

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