 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: music9631
Date: 2010-12-20 18:44
Just a thought that's been playing on my mind. I played in a concert last night and over the course of the concert I became more and more aware that I was biting. Now I'm not sure if I was just tiring out but it's been something that I've been trying not to do. I do play on a reasonably open mouthpiece according to some but it seems to be standard over here in the uk but lets not start the whole english sound thing because that's not what I sound like! I have tried close mouthpieces and I always feel restricted in dynamics and tone colour too. Anyway is there any particular characteristics that might point to me using a mpc that is too open?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2010-12-20 19:21
For me, it is when I am expending air like gang busters and I am not able to sustain long but not unreasonable phrases. Also if the sound becomes "breathier."
You need to gauge your own parameters. I was able to achieve a good range of dynamics and a substantial sound on a Vandoren M15, but at some point I just needed to be able to blow more air into it than the mouthpiece would allow. I think the best method is to approach from too small and work your way up rather than the other way around.
In the States there are a LOT of music stores that sell the Vandoren B45 as a standard mouthpieces to students but I feel this mouthpiece is at the more open end of the acceptable spectrum. I have settled on mouthpieces in the 5RV Lyre/M13 category.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2010-12-20 19:39
A closed mouth piece with a shorter facing length may be an option. For example, the Gennusa I have is a 17mm (or 34mm) facing length with a .101 tip opening, but doesn't have the resistance of the usual close facing mouthpieces I've tried in the past. I use a 4 Gonazales RC on it...so no need to play on a 2x 4 piece of reed!
ETA - I personally find larger tip openings don't work for my jaw structure...I find the altissimo register impossible to control in pitch. Articulation is also an issue...I find my reeds don't have the same bounce as with a closer faced MPC. In general, I have more control with a closer faced mouthpiece...I prefer resistance in my mouthpiece as opposed to my clarinet. Some people prefer an easier blowing mouthpiece with a more resistant barrel/clarinet.
Post Edited (2010-12-20 19:42)
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Author: salzo
Date: 2010-12-20 22:18
If you can fit a nickel between the reed and the mouthpiece, then it is too open.
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Author: luca1
Date: 2010-12-21 01:18
Not sure how many nickels they have knocking about the Uk ... but I guess a 10 pence coin might do ....
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Author: Liquorice
Date: 2010-12-21 05:26
How do you know if your mouthpiece is too open?
When your tongue gets stuck between the reed and the mouthpiece during staccato sections...
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Author: salzo
Date: 2010-12-21 13:56
Place reed on mouthpiece.
Hold the clarinet like a telescope, and aim it at the sun, bell end at the sun.
Peer through the mouthpiece. If you wind up with a fried retina, your mouthpiece is too open. Go to the hospital, and then go out and buy a closer mouthpiece.
Test new mouthpiece in the same manner, this time using the other eye.
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2010-12-22 08:22
If you can't make a tone last longer than 3 sec and you have to make a 5 min rest before make another try.
Btw if the tip opening is about 1.30 it is extremely open for a classical setup, but can work though.
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Author: Reedirect
Date: 2010-12-22 09:41
aside from the mpc it could be a new reed being just a bit too strong. I play a HS** and changed from the V12s to Rue Lepic because these reeds appear much more consistent right out of the box.
Best
Jo
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