 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: davyd
Date: 2011-12-28 21:59
My Bb clarinet mouthpiece is a VanDoren B45, which I'm informed is too bright for orchestral playing. Having heard a recent recording of myself in orchestra, I'm inclined to agree. So perhaps I'll make a switch.
Money being what it is, I'm limited to what I have on the shelf: a Marcellus M13, a Selmer HS*, and a David Hite (no model number visible). Would any of these be an improvement?
If it is any help: available ligatures are a Rovner, a J&D Hite, a Gigliotti, and a no-name metal one. Current box of reeds is VanDoren 4s.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-12-28 22:07
I am not inclined to say that a 45 is a bright sounding mouthpiece. A true resonant tone is a function of a swift moving column of air, moving as efficiently as possible through the oral cavity (FOCUS, FOCUS, FOCUS !!!!). You achieve this by keeping your tongue in a fairly natural, relaxed posture (very much as if you were saying the sound "EEEEE" - as opposed to 'AHHHH'). Or think of the best stream of air as what you would produce to blow upon a hot cup of cocoa to make it COOLER.
For what it's worth though, the Hite (if it's a standard pro model) may be the best of that bunch (in my mind's eye of course).
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2011-12-28 22:20
If by "on the shelf" you mean you already have them, why don't you just try all of them and record yourself then play it back?
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2011-12-28 22:24
In my experience, to reduce brightness in sound, you want your equipment to have:
1. Longest facing possible
2. Made of rubber, not metal
3. A larger bore (does not apply to this situation as far as I can tell)
4. Harder reeds (does not apply as well)
There's probably many other factors, but let's focus on what you have at your disposal.
It seems that your Marcellus M13 has a long facing, while the Vandoren and Selmer have a Medium-Long facing. I did not try to assume anything about the Hite. That being said, I'd go with the Marcellus to darken the tone.
Then for ligature, I'd use the Rovner. I use the Rovner Dark on all my horn (I play saxes as well), and they significantly cut out some of the highs (as I use short facing mouthpieces because I'm a theater musician and I need the instruments to cut through singers). Alternatively, the Gigliotti seems to be rubber, and may suit the same purpose, but since the Rovner is Fabric it should reduce vibrations most. You basically want to reduce as many vibrations as possible.
I've never tried this, but just thought of it. Maybe tape a piece of fabric/cloth/old sock to the inside wall of your bell. You probably don't want this to be there forever, but if you're on a budget, that might dampen some of the highs while not costing anything and you could wait till you could get a more suitable solution. Let me reiterate this, I've never tried this, and have no clue if it works.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2011-12-28 22:24
I agree that recording would be a good option.
Do you have a private teacher?
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Author: chris moffatt
Date: 2011-12-29 03:10
"...I'm limited to what I have on the shelf: a Marcellus M13, a Selmer HS*, and a David Hite (no model number visible). Would any of these be an improvement?"
Personal opinion: Yes - over a B45. Try the Hite first. Then the Selmer.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2011-12-29 13:04
I'm willing to bet you could get at least one response for EACH mouthpiece that is "better" than the others...including the one you apparantly don't like. I'd just record them if you can and try them out. And also, try them out in rehearsals to see how they work.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2011-12-29 16:04
I would suggest to try a B45Lyre if you haven't tried it already. It has a darker sound than the regular one, because the facing is a bit longer, the tip opening is just a bit larger, and the tip rail is thicker, but the articulation is still clean. You can use it with lightish reeds. I don't really understand why people say that certain mouthpieces are not good for certain kind of music styles. If it's good for you then it's good. This has been said on this forum countless times.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-12-30 17:20
Although there are some mouthpieces that tend to play on the bright side the B45 is not one of them in my opinion. As with any mouthpiece, it's more the player in concert with the MP that produces the type of sound you want. My experience is that unless a player works very, very hard to change their natural sound buy finding a MP and reed combination that makes a change and then works hard at keeping the sound they get with proper voicing and insistence the sound will slowly migrate back to how they sounded before they changed. We all have our voice, to change it takes lots of work, listening and stubbornness. Sometimes it means adjusting to and getting used to a harder, or softer, reed or a different brand. It may feel uncomfortable at first and may take a lot of time to get comfortable but most players slowly go back to the tone they originally had without even noticing no matter what MP they changed to in order to get the comfort level they had before. It takes commitment and time to reach a new comfort level. ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: davyd
Date: 2011-12-31 02:03
Thanks all for the responses. Here's my plan.
I don't have a teacher, nor do I have the technology to record myself. The recording I spoke of was an orchestra concert in mid-November; I was on 1st clarinet in the Dvorak 8th symphony, so I had lots of opportunities to be heard. (I use a Vandoren 5RV and Vandoren ligature on my A clarinet, which seems effective. Maybe I should simply get another one, once finances permit.) The next concert is in mid-January, and I don't have anything as prominent as in the Dvorak 8th.
The Marcellus mouthpiece needs recorking, and I don't know when I'll next see my technician. (He usually has a few secondhand mouthpieces; perhaps one will fit my budget.) No one seems to favor the HS*. So I'll use the Hite & Rovner combination at the upcoming rehearsals and concert. It may indeed not make any difference, but at least I can say I tried. Change is supposedly good.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2011-12-31 02:11
If the Marcellus needs recorking, you can try teflon plumbers tape, available at any hardware store. You can wrap the tenon to whatever thickness you need.
If you do need a teacher, I know someone in your area. You can contact me off the BB if you are interested.
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Author: glin
Date: 2011-12-31 13:18
Why not just one mpc, (5RV), for both Bb and A? I would think that would be the most economical solution. assuming you are happy with the sound from the Bb using the 5RV.
Get a second professional opinion when testing/evaluating your sound from a colleague; that may help in your mpc search, if you are headed in that direction.
Finally, a barrel replacement may help as well.
I don't think the ligatures have that much influence on your sound, imho.
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Author: davyd
Date: 2012-01-01 01:51
Saw my technician today; he recorked the Marcellus mouthpiece. He had a used Vandoren 5RV Lyre on hand. I've heard (mostly) good things about this type, so I bought it for $25 (currently $90 new at WWBW) which I maybe shouldn't have done, but hopefully it will work out. I'll try it at orchestra next week & see if anyone notices a difference.
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Author: OboeLover4Life
Date: 2012-01-02 00:40
Are you using traditional reeds? If so, why not just switch to V12 reeds? They're supposed to be made for pieces like the B45 anyways.
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