 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: beejay
Date: 2001-01-27 21:37
I've been trying a Vandoren RV5, after years playing on a B45. I like the sound a lot, but it squeaks like crazy.Does this mean I need a harder or softer reed or is it just a question of adjusting embouchure?
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-01-27 21:54
The RV5 has a much smaller tip opening, and shorter overall length.
To try a cheap approach, find one of your decent playing (on the B45) reeds and trim it a little. A slightly firmer reed might do the trick.
You may also need to take in a bit less mouthpiece until you find your way around the flex or fulcrum point.
I play the M13, which is even less open.
anji
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-27 22:48
I play both the Vandoren B45 and 5RV.
For the B45, Vandoren recommends the equivalent of a Vandoren 2.5 to 3.5 reed while for the 5RV, they recommend the equivalent of a Vandoren 3 to 4 reed. And I find that it does work better for me to use a 1/2 strength stiffer reed on the 5RV even though you can see that there is some overlap on the recommended reed strengths.
In addition, I have found that you just cannot blow as hard on the 5RV as on the B45. If you do, you will get squeaks. So if I know if advance that I will need to play especially loud, then I will use the B45. For more general concert work, I'll use the 5RV.
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Author: Chris Ondaatje
Date: 2001-01-27 23:18
Dee,
I tried a 5RV after playing B45's for years. I liked the sound but, like you, found the tone smaller.The clarity of my articulation also suffered. Did you find this?
Chris.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-01-27 23:25
Chris Ondaatje wrote:
>
> Dee,
> I tried a 5RV after playing B45's for years. I liked the sound
> but, like you, found the tone smaller.The clarity of my
> articulation also suffered. Did you find this?
> Chris.
I really can't remember if I noticed an articulation difference or not. The thing that I did notice immediately was that I needed a stronger reed as what I normally used seemed soft and sluggish. They both seem to articulate the same for me when I use an appropriate reed.
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Author: Daniel Bouwmeester
Date: 2001-01-28 09:45
Beejay,
5RV is one of the oldest vandoren mouthpiece, a whole generation of french performers have used these. And today, people like Paul Meyer.
These mouthpieces have a very small tip opening, and need very hard reeds to produce a good sound. Last time I saw Paul in Geneva, I asked him what he played and he said : Buffet RC with 5RV & 5RVlyre mouthpieces and vandoren 4.5 reeds standard and V12.
I guess he knows what he's talking about, and therefore I would recommend this configuration.
I personally don't like playing small tip opening mouthpiece, I usually play B45lyre which is a totally different mouthpiece. But yes, we're luckily not all victims of Jacques Lancelot.
regards
Daniel
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-01-29 20:12
Beejay -
The closer the mouthpiece tip opening, the pickier it is about reeds. You get a better sound out of a relatively close tip, but in return, you have to learn to balance your reeds. The basic maneuver is to twist the mouthpiece as far left, and then right, as possible in your mouth and see which side of the reed is harder. Then use a knife, sandpaper or rush to take down the harder side until the reed is balanced.
There's much, much more, but start with this. It helps to work with a teacher.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: beejay
Date: 2001-01-29 20:31
Many thanks for all your good advice, folks. I'd ask my teacher, Ken, but he seems to be RV5-phobic. The sound is definitely smaller, but I find it easier to articulate and I should imagine it is a good mouthpiece for chamber work. I shall persevere. Is there any reason why I shouldn't use different types of mouthpiece for different types of music, or is it better to stick with one and adjust embouchure and all reeds to it?
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