 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kontra
Date: 2010-08-04 19:44
Sorry for starting so many topics lately, I'm kinda getting back into playing more often...
I have an awkward situation with my bass clarinet reeds:
I had a pretty fast solo last concert season and was having trouble no matter how much I practiced. I was playing on an old Bundy mouthpiece and a Vandoren 3 reed. Well, I switched to 2 1/2 just for the solo because it was easier to play and had planned on going back to 3 afterwards. Stupid mistake on my part, very stupid. Now I cant seem to get back into 3's. Any tips on that? It's kind of frustrating because the 2 1/2 sounds like its too soft but I still cant play on 3's anymore. Ive been playing on 3s on Bb Clarinet and just recently switched to Legere 3 1/4.
My second question, I'm looking to stray away from Vandoren reeds. I plan on buying either the Grabner/Bloom model mouthpiece or Grabner's Jazz mouthpiece, and thought I might as well get new reeds too. Ive been leaning towards Grand Concert reeds. I do like the idea of having a synthetic bass reed a lot, but I dont really care for the bright sound Legere gives me on bass. I want a darker sound on bass. Can anyone give me some advice on both my situations?
Thanks.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-08-04 20:07
My advice is free, and worth every penny:
1) Do try other mouthpieces -- along with Grabner's, try some from Clark Fobes and from Roger Garrett. Or refaced mouthpieces from various competent refacers (many players like refaced mouthpieces made from French Selmer blanks). It is not always easy or quick to find a good selection of mouthpieces to test, but it's worth the effort.
2) One characteristic of a really good mouthpiece is that you'll find many brands/models of reed will work with it, with a higher percentage of "good" reeds.
3) Don't give up on Vandoren reeds. In my 35 years of woodwind playing (specializing on bass clarinet) I keep finding that, come concert day, the majority of my 'best' reeds are usually Vandorens.
4) Legeres are not necessarily 'bright' or 'dark', but once you've settled on a mouthpiece, you should plan on trying a number of Legeres until you find one you're comfortable with. I still don't use them for concerts, but they are great backup/doubler/outdoor reeds. Some folks use them for everything, but honestly, I can hear the difference!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-08-04 20:44
I had a GREAT experience with the newer JAZZ 1 Crystal mouthpiece from Pomarico........just a suggestion.
And I don't know about the dark/bright comparison so much (my personal experience was that Legere just came off sounding "thuddy") with Legere vs. cane BUT, I do recommend trying a similar strength in a FibraCell reed. These, for me have a 'woodier' (here we go again with adjectives) sound and maybe a bit less strong than its equivalent strength in Vandoren.
..............good luck,
.............................Paul Aviles
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Author: William
Date: 2010-08-04 22:07
Forestone has a bass clarinet reed in development that I anticipate being as amazing as their new alto and tenor sax reeds.
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Author: JEG ★2017
Date: 2010-08-05 00:11
For what it's worth, I wouldn't characterize your situation as "awkward." You discovered that a 2 1/2 reed worked better on your mouthpiece for a fast passage than a 3. And now you have trouble playing a 3 on that Bundy mouthpiece. How do you sound with the 2 1/2 otherwise? If it's comfortable than I would advise sticking with it for the time being. And then if you want to switch, start with either the mouthpiece or the reed; I wouldn't try to do both at once. I always feel that it's good to have something familiar as a basis for comparison. My gut instinct since you're playing a Bundy mouthpiece would be to try a different mouthpiece first but it's up to you and your teacher if you have one.
We all make discoveries about mouthpieces and reeds, sometimes by accident.
A harder reed isn't always better, and if you're still in the development stages of your playing you will most likely get stonger as time goes by and naturally gravitate to harder reeds and more open mouthpieces.
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Author: Kontra
Date: 2010-08-05 02:05
This November Ill have been playing bass for 2 years, Clarinet for 4, so yeah I'm still somewhat a beginner by some peoples standards. But Ive been meaning to get a new mouthpiece for awhile now. I bought a Pomarico Jazz Crystal ** and I sounded the same on it, plus I looked at it closely and the table was messed up. I sent it back and never really bought another mouthpiece.
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