 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2010-05-22 19:20
Hi I'm new to the forum - just joined today.
I've had a haitus from the clarinet for 3 years and picked up the instrument again last week, and am experiencing a wonderful resurgence of enthusiasm! I have practised every day for the last 10 days and am working on rebuilding my stamina. My clarinet has not enjoyed being neglected these last 3 years though, and is not responding as it used to - some sticky keys etc.
I've set myself a target of taking the dip ABRSM in about 3 years time. (I was grade 8+ in 1991 & have a degree in music).
I am wondering what I can do right now to improve my playing (aside from practice!) My mouthpiece has teeth marks on the top (what's the technical word for that bit?) and I'm not sure if that's a bad thing? I currently play on a Vandoren B45 (Yamaha YCL34 you go about choosing one? After a quick search on John Packer I am bewildered. I live abroad and can't buy from a shop (there aren't any), so I need to pick one online - bad move?
Any advice gratefully received!
Post Edited (2010-05-23 06:56)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-05-22 19:54
First - congratulations to overcome your hiatus and pick up the clarinet again!
Then...tooth marks are only bad if they go through the mouthpiece into the bore, else, well, it's just a mouthpiece with tooth marks. Consider using mouthpiece patches next time, they de-couple the mouthpiece vibrations from your skull (and vice versa) and are easily to change when worn.
I don't think the B45 is a bad choice, but after a pause like this you might want to experiment with different reeds a bit, until you are where you have been 10 years ago. This is cheaper than a new mouthpiece and will give you some variation nonetheless. I'd invest the saved money into a technician to go over your instrument - nothing as bad as a leaky or a sticky pad. And even the best mouthpiece in the world will not be able to compete with an out-of-regulation instrument!
Good luck!
--
Ben
Post Edited (2010-05-23 13:48)
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Author: Lelia Loban ★2017
Date: 2010-05-22 19:56
Fair warning: Nearly all the people who regularly post here have severely advanced, untreatable cases of Equipment-itis. Has anyone on this bulletin board ever advised anybody *not* to buy a new mouthpiece? Some people here have accumulated drawers full of mouthpieces.
You're bewildered for the good reason that the subject is bewildering. Unfortunately, there's no clear answer. Some excellent mouthpieces sound bad on some excellent clarinets. Some excellent combinations of clarinet and mouthpiece don't work out well for some musicians. Sometimes a notoriously bad brand of mouthpiece plays like a champ. Oh, and then we move right along to the subject of which reeds to use with which mouthpieces. And then we dissect the shapes of our mouths and the state of our teeth.
Vandoren B45s are popular mouthpieces. They're somewhat variable. Some are better than others. There are so many variables around this whole subject that the one answer I feel fairly competent about giving (but please beware of my advice, because I'm an amateur) is that if there's any way at all for you to try mouthpieces out before you buy, you'll probably end up with a better result than if you buy blind online.
Good luck.
Lelia
http://www.scoreexchange.com/profiles/Lelia_Loban
To hear the audio, click on the "Scorch Plug-In" box above the score.
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Author: Plonk
Date: 2010-05-22 20:14
Thanks for the response!
Hmm I might have a mild case of equipment-itis myself - part of the over-excitedness I'm feeling! It makes sense that it would be better to try one out - I might do next time I'm back in the UK. Generally speaking, a music shop will let you blow germs down several models then?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-05-22 21:06
Lelia Loban wrote:
> Has anyone on this bulletin board ever advised anybody *not* to buy a
> new mouthpiece?
Ahem. *taps fingers on table*
I successfully resisted that temptation and now that. Hrmph.
--
Ben
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Author: djphay
Date: 2010-05-22 22:02
My amateur tuppence.
You could send your existing mouthpiece to Peter Eaton, he can measure it and send you some of his equivalent models. His mouthpieces are on the pricey side, though. I switched from a B45 when I got my new instruments and play an Eaton 1.23 21 A. It's a bit mellower and less edgy, and is apparently one of his most popoular models.
David
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-05-23 01:14
I would say, don't buy a new mouthpiece.............right away.
A long hiatus calls for getting used to the horn all over again. About two to three months (or more) may be needed just to get some semblance of normalcy to such an odd thing as clarinet playing.
Once you have some constancy built up, you can if you wish start the search for the Holy Grail, but always try them out first, comparing to what you currently play as a starting point.
...................Pau Aviles
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Author: Carol Dutcher
Date: 2010-05-23 02:53
I use a Vandoren B45 and it is my favorite. I covered the teeth marks over with a pad. The reeds I use are 2.5 Gonzalez, my favorite brand, or even a 2, I prefer softer reeds for jazz. Good luck with your endeavor.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-05-23 13:36
Using a thin pad on the top of the mouthpiece is a good idea, trying some softer reeds for the time being is also a good idea but remember, if the clarinet is leaking it will not only add resistance to everything but will make some notes almost impossible to play. Get the clarinet fixed first so it seals well, then get yourself into good shape and then determine if a new mouthpiece is even necessary. If it is of course wait until you go someplace so you can try several, but only after everything else is in good working condition. You may decide your B45 is just the right one for you. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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