 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Ken Rasmussen
Date: 2001-01-06 05:15
Can you suggest Eb mouthpieces that play well? I've got an Eb horn that I just got, and something stinks. I hope it is the mouthpiece. The intonation is very variable, but more flat than sharp. The horn sounds all the notes easily enough, but the tone is not good, and as I say, it is tough to play in tune. I've tried three mouthpieces, one broken one that came with the horn, one inexpensive one that I borrowed, and a Selmer that I borrowed. The Selmer is the best of the bunch in all respects, but still leaves a lot to be desired. I'm sure at least part of the problem is me--I haven't played Eb clarinet before. I tried several reeds, and I have a #3 Van Doren that is responding well. While you're suggesting mouthpieces you might also mention what ligature and reed you recommend with your mouthpiece suggestion. And finally, I'm not inclined to spend outrageous amounts of money on this particular horn, so give me your best inexpensive to medium price suggestions. (The horn in question is a Kolhert.) I may decide to send the horn to someone for tweaking the tone holes if I can't cure the problems with the mouthpiece. Do you know of people who modify tone holes?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2001-01-06 14:25
I was using a Charles Bay mp but was having trouble with the extreme high register. Since I switched back to my old Selmer HS* the high notes "pop right out." Eb clarinets have real problems with flat notes, particularly in the upper register. My solution was to shorten the barrel and then lip all of the sharp notes down. Easier to do that than lipping flat notes sharp. My lig is a BG Bb and because the HS* is a "thicker" mp, it works just fine. Have fun--Eb playing can be a real adventure. Good clarineting.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-06 14:32
Eb clarinets must be played in tune. My guess is that the bore diameter to length ratio is less favorable for "designing in" the tuning.
Also due to its smaller size it is *very* sensitive to everything. That includes mouthpiece, reed, embouchure, breath control, finger height above the tone holes, tone hole cleanliness and who knows what else. Slight variations in embouchure and breath control that have no noticeable affect on a Bb are significant on the Eb. These two items have to be highly disciplined and controlled by the player.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Doug Perrenoud
Date: 2001-01-07 12:47
This may not fit into your "budget," but I just bought a J.D. Hite mouthpiece for my Eb and I love it! About $70 at the Woodwind and Brasswind. I picked up a used Normandy from there just before Christmas - I'm afraid to find out how old it is - but it came without a mouthpiece. With the Hite mpc it plays incredibly well, in tune all the way up to high C without any special fingerings (tone hole shading, etc.) Plus, it is very easy to blow (I use VD 3.5 reeds).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Daniel
Date: 2001-01-08 03:33
As far as current mouthpieces are concerned. My favorites are Greg Smith's and Clarke Fobes'. They both play well. I played one of Greg's mouthpieces for about 3 years until i found an untouched Kaspar for $400 (wow.. that was a steal!)... The only complaint i had was that it was hard to find reeds that played on it. But once i found a good reed, it was one of the mellowest Eb mouthpieces i've ever played... blended perfectly with a clarinet section. The intonation is pretty good too.
But, i found i liked the Kaspar better. Was from about the same period as my Eb, so it just sounds better.. very clear projection and articulates wonderfully...
Clark's work is great too. It's been a while since i played one of his Eb mouthpieces, but it seems i remember it being mcuh like my Kaspar. But in the set that Clark sent, i didn't like any one as much as i liked the one of Greg's pieces.
Both are sponsors of Sneezy so you can find both of their sites easily... :-)
Best of luck.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mw
Date: 2001-01-08 12:59
I bought the Hite when I was getting started on a Bundy Eb. I have found that it works well, The top of the line Hite was about $60 a year ago, mail order. It is a very nice mouthpiece.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-08 22:13
On my Selmer Bundy Eb clarinet, the Vandoren 5RV works well for me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
