 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: clarinettist1104
Date: 2010-04-08 13:54
Hi all! Currently I am playing on the Yamaha 4CM rubber mouthpiece that came with my Yamaha set... I am going to be upgrading clarinets soon, and was wondering if I should buy a new mouthpiece now, or try the new clarinets on my current mouthpiece and then buy the new mouthpiece? Are mouthpieces more fitted to the clarinet, or to the player?
thanks!
-alex
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-04-08 14:00
Mouthpieces are pretty much clarinet-independent, unless you are switching from one bore size to a radically different one (ie, shifting from a French to an English bore clarnet). An exception to this statement might have to do with tuning issues. For example, a 13-series Vandoren clarinet mouthpiece generally produces a somewhat lower pitch than some others, so you may have to take that into consideration when purchasing your clarinet, as you may also need to get a shorter barrel to play at the tuning pitch your ensemble uses as a standard.
Are you studying with a teacher? If so, ask what mouthpieces might be suited to your playing style and stage of development. Then try several examples of each particular mouthpiece your teacher recommends, using suitable reeds (different mouthpieces perform better with diffeent reeds).
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2010-04-08 14:02)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-04-08 16:56
Alex; Jeff is a regular contributor on the BB, and knows of what he speaks. There was a recent thread where all the experts chimed in on what elements of clarinet playing were most important: ie mouthpiece, reed, practice time/ability, barrel, bell, the clarinet itself, etc., etc,.
You can read those comments for yourself, but my conclusion was that money is best spent in the mouthpiece/reed combo, and practice a lot. The clarinet itself came in a distant 3rd. That jives with my own experience with 30+ clarinets, and 30+ mouthpieces.
I suggest (if your teacher doesn't object) three Vandorens; an M13, a 5RV lyre, and a B45. One of these will astonish you, and you'll be well on your way to Mouthpiece Aquisition Disease, a common condition in clarinet-land.
Clark G. Sherwood
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: RoBass
Date: 2010-04-08 19:27
ACK to jasperbay. The MPC has to fit the mouth geometry and the inner (resonance) volume of the player well.
Therefore is the best way to test blindfolded and without any brand in mind.
My recommendation: Go to the seller's office, test some MPCs (the bore should fit exactly to your barrel) with a medium reed (a little bit harder for shorter curve and lighter for longer curve). Then choose the MPC best suited for you! That's it.
The brand makes the price, but the "fitting factor" makes the worth for you ;-)
kindly
Roman
Post Edited (2010-04-12 08:59)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
