 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarienet
Date: 2010-04-22 18:13
I can play my intermediate better with any size reed. But I can rarely get a clear tone from my Vandoren mouthpiece. It says the best results in reed sizes for the mouthpiece are 3, 3 1/2, and 4, I play on a vandoren 3, but its extreamly airy. My intermediate mouthpiece has a dark rich tone that I like, but has some issues with higher registers, thats why I replaced it... Now I'm having trouble with my current mouthpiece... Is that expected with Vandoren mouthpieces?
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-04-22 18:27
Because evidently the plastic mouthpiece has a facing more suitable to your embouchure and playing style.
Vandorens, like any mass-produced mouthpiece, are highly variable.
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Author: mrn
Date: 2010-04-22 18:33
A few things to keep in mind:
1.) Even within good mouthpiece brands/models, the quality varies. You will find some good Vandorens and some not-so-good Vandorens (or good Vandoren M13s and not-so-good Vandoren M13s, for instance). So you should really try a few before you make a final decision. You may just have found a dud. Most stores will let you return mouthpieces as long as you've followed their rules for mouthpiece tryout (like putting tape on the beak, for instance).
2.) Everybody's anatomy and technique is a little different, so a mouthpiece model that works well for me may not work well for you and vice versa. Remember that it's the results you get that count, not the brand/model name.
3.) Different mouthpieces require different kinds of reeds. Some need harder reeds, some need softer reeds. Some need reeds with shorter vamps, while others take reeds with longer vamps. For instance, Rico Reserve Classics work great for Mark Nuccio and whatever mouthpiece he uses in the NY Philharmonic, but they're absolutely terrible on my mouthpiece. (The regular Reserves, on the other hand, are quite good on my mouthpiece, I've discovered--a different cut yields different results.)
4.) The recommended reed strengths Vandoren provides may or may not fully apply to you. I know I tend to play on a slightly softer reed than Eddie Daniels does, even though I play on an Eddie Daniels mouthpiece. (and he's a jazz player and I'm pretty much strictly classical.)
5.) You should make sure the reed you're playing on is a good one and well-balanced before using it to make a judgment about a mouthpiece. If you don't know how to balance reeds, you should learn.
6.) A teacher's aid in this regard (equipment selection) can be invaluable!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-04-22 19:12
There are SOOOOO many options for the facings of Vandoren mouthpieces (and other brands for that matter) that the best thing is to limit yourself to mouthpieces that have a similar facing to what you are using (you never want to completely abandon your comfort level).
Sounds like the Vandoren you have is SIGNIFICANTLY larger in tip openning or longer in lay (or both).........may I guess B45 or B40?
I would strongly recommend finding a mouthpiece in their line closer to what you have first. I've always had a harder time changing reed strengths myself.
........................Paul Aviles
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2010-04-22 21:13
How did you choose the Vandoren mouthpiece, and which one did you get?
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Author: clarienet
Date: 2010-04-23 00:37
I have the B45 Vandoren, i've tried all kinds of different strenghths and brands of reeds with it, and none seem to sound right... I might have gotten a bad mouthpiece, but the place I went to doesn't let you try them...
I've used, Rico Reserve, Rico Royals, Vandoren V12, Plain Vandorens, and Regular Ricos... I may get 1 of every other brand of reed in size 3 and try them out with each mouthpiece... I've noticed it gets a little better when i tighten my embosure, but its still not as clear as I'd like...
Thank you all for the help! I'll get back to this after i experiment with some other reeds...
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-04-23 00:56
As already indicated, it's just not the mouthpiece that fits you. Everyone is built differently and has different needs. One of my biggest mistakes I've ever made was when I tried a Vito mouthpiece just for the fun of it and thought it was fantastic but didn't buy it because, how good could a plastic student Vito mouthpiece be? It actually sounded great but I couldn't let myself buy it so I never gave it a chance. Could have been a major mistake, I'll never know. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: clarienet
Date: 2010-04-23 01:00
I have actually been learning to balance reeds... I've fixed a few, and ruined a few ha ha... I'll probably experiment with some other brands and figure out what's best for my embosure and the mouthpiece... It does produce a nice tone, but tends to be airy, and it may also be caused by me trying to quit the habbit of biting and not using my embosure mustles as firmly as I should...
Thanks.
~Melissa~
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Author: jasperbay
Date: 2010-04-23 01:33
Maybe its just me, but I like a 2 or 2 1/2 strength reed on my B-45's, and a little more mouthpiece in my mouth, due to the longer facing and more open tip. This is also a little easier on the embroucher muscles.
Clark G. Sherwood
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-04-23 10:16
Yes, the mouthpiece test!
Play open G with enough mouthpiece and keep taking in mouthpiece until you SQUAWK. Just back off a bit from this point, and that is the ideal place to set your embouchure.
You definitely have a mouthpiece more open than best suited for you. It leaves me dumbfounded that there are so many of those little music stores scattered about that sell only B45s because they hear that's what sells.
Not a bad mouthpiece mind you, just a big adjustment for you. Perhaps some 2s or 2 and a half reeds for a while may be the more cost effective solution if you're stuck with this one.
Deal with Woodwind and Brasswind from now on. They will send as many as you want and will take back the ones you don't want.
......................Paul Aviles
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2010-04-23 12:56
B45 has something of a reputation...
I don't know your level of skill with the instrument but I'd only recommend that mouthpiece design to quite an advanced student. They need a certain something from the player to get the most out of them, and (of course) they're not for everyone.
I'd probably try a 2.5 Vandoren reed on it, or even a 2.0.
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Author: clarienet
Date: 2010-04-23 17:18
I've been playing for 5 1/2 years now... I'm only 15 though... I havn't tried 2.5 yet but I'll be sure to get one when I experiment, but It'll have to be in a few weeks when I get paid.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2010-04-24 04:28
I have found Vandoren mouthpieces to be remarkably consistent, not highly variable.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Rusty
Date: 2010-04-25 09:14
I got rid of my B45 as soon as I could at 1/2 what I paid for it.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-04-25 12:43
The B45, as has already been mentioned, is fairly open at the tip, although Vandoren on its own website (http://www.vandoren.fr/en/clarinetbb.html) describes it as having an "intermediate" tip opening and recommends reeds anywhere from #2-1/2 to #3-1/2 (not #4) depending on which model Vandoren reed you use. You might find it more comfortable using the lowest recommended strength (or even lower if necessary) for the time being. My experience is that a softer reed on a more open mouthpiece doesn't necessarily end up feeling comparable to a closer tip with a harder reed. The various combinations of facings and reeds have unique blowing characteristics and trying to make an unfamiliar mouthpiece that's very different from what you're used to play comfortably by simply changing your reed choice may or may not work. Ultimately, you may be happier, as others have already suggested, with a facing more like what you're used to on your intermediate mouthpiece. Do you know what its measurements are (particularly the tip opening and curve length)?
Karl
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2010-05-01 15:52
I play a Vandoren B45. It wasn't recommended, I just tried one and liked it. What I get from it varies according to what reed I'm using, but it's consistent enough that it always sounds pretty good. Cheap plastic mouthpieces can sound great if you find one that suits you. Other than the B45, I find the standard Yamaha C4 works very well for me, and the last one I bought cost me $A11.50 for 2 on that auction site. Price is not necessarily an indicator of suitability.
Tony F.
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Author: marjiepoo
Date: 2010-05-10 20:40
LOL I always had this problem too ..... I however got my clarinet out without playing it for about five years and the better mouthpiece sounded way better which makes me think it was the way my embouchure was back when I played regularly.
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2010-05-11 12:23
As all the above comments indicate there are many, many variables - so I'll add one more. Don't underestimate how much a crappy ligature can hold you back....
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