The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarienet
Date: 2011-02-01 21:21
Which Vandoren Mouthpiece is the best for a 6 year player? I currently have the B45 but I have a hard time playing on it at times. Could it be the reed size I'm using? I've been vandoren traditional 3 and some times vandoren v12 also in 3.
Post Edited (2011-02-01 21:22)
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2011-02-01 21:25
Did you mean B45? It would be a nice and standard 'combo' with Vd Trad 3 reeds, but maybe not for you. One of the most tolerant mouthpiece is 5RV and 5RV Lyre, which you could use much easier with a strength 3 reed.
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Author: clarienet
Date: 2011-02-01 21:34
Yes. sorry about that. It seems to be pretty airy, but once I get adjusted after about 5 minutes of playing, its okay, but my embosure gets too tired too quick with it and I can no longer hit notes above D above the staff. I'll have to check the 5RV
Thank you.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-02-01 21:41
Airy means that you are having to work too hard with the combination.
5RV Lyre, M13 or M15 (more closed than first two but longer lay so it kinda evens out).
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-02-01 21:56
clarienet wrote:
> Which Vandoren Mouthpiece is the best for a 6 year player?
The answer, really, is both "all of them" and "none of them." From your description of the problem, your B45 will probably play much better with a lighter reed. But anything in the Vandoren line will play well with the right reed - it depends entirely on what you're looking and listening for. On the other hand, there are so many other mouthpieces around that many individual players and teachers prefer to any Vandoren, that you could go broke trying them all.
And none of this is any more or less the case for an inexperienced student or a more experienced, established player.
Karl
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2011-02-01 23:49
How long do you practice? A V12 reed is a pretty heavy thick reed that takes time to adjust your muscles. If you practice about 30 minutes a day maybe switch to the regular Vandoren. If you are playing about 2 hours a day several things could be happening, such as the facing on your mouthpiece is off, the reeds need to be adjusted, and maybe check out some of the other Vandoren line of mouthpieces. They all play a bit different.
Even playing the same model, for example a B45, the mouthpieces can be slightly different. If you play 5 of them you may find one of them to play better than the others.
If you can write again and let us know how long you practice a day maybe the folks on this forum can help guide you and solve your problems. I have to say one thing though, clarinet playing should be fun so finding the right setup will help you enjoy playing.
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Author: Evans
Date: 2011-02-02 04:08
I use an old Vandoran V360 mouthpiece which is very similar to the B45's, you might try one of them, the one I have is from the 70's if I'm not mistaken. I use size three reeds on it and it plays really well.
Hope this helped, Evan
Evan B. Stanfill
1971 Noblet 45
Vandoran V360 Mouthpiece
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-02-02 19:31
For about a grand, you can get a clarinet that will never crack, and will stay in tune much better than the E-11 (based on my limited experiences with some E11s that friends have).
Here's the link:
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/2010christmas.html
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2011-02-03 19:51
I have a Vandoren M30 that I really like. Good tone and easy to blow.
Leonard
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Author: Alex Eich
Date: 2011-02-04 09:16
I second Leonard.
I've been playing for a little bit longer than you (9yrs now?) and started using non-stock mouthpieces about 2 years ago, so did my first upgrade around a similar time.
My thoughts: an M30 is perfect for this level. It's very free blowing, allows you (with the right reeds) to attain a very pure, focused sound that still has a lot of depth of tone and colour to it. I am no expert on m'pieces by any means, but I sat in a good shop for a couple of hours trying out all the ones they had with a variety of reeds and, in terms of bang for buck, the M50 was the best by far in every aspect.
Also, if high-high notes are an issue it can help somewhat too, as it allows you to play a slightly harder reed, often making them easier.
Give one a try if you can, but whatever you decide on, be careful not to just buy the one that is easiest to play; they can have bland/thin sounds. Do comparisons, and, if there isn't a noticeable difference, save your cash towards a Ridenour and don't bother "upgrading" it.
Best of luck,
Alex
P.S. I play Yamaha CSG horns just for reference. They, too, sure as hell don't play nice with B45's (for me anyway). I still can't believe they are recommended to students.. Anyway, that's my thoughts on the matter.
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Author: digiacwf
Date: 2011-02-05 00:18
http://www.saxplus.com/vandoren-clarinet-mpc-info.html#anchor2tones
^ may be helpful!
Willow
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