 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jan
Date: 2001-02-26 18:20
ive been playing on a 5RV lyre mouthpiece for a very long time and decided to try some new ones because im not real happy with the one i have. i tried a vand. B45, Morgan RM10, and Jewel 45. i didnt like the morgan at all and the other 2 played just fine but not better than the one i have. i was disappointed as i anticipated that a new mouthpiece was going to make all the difference in the world. maybe what i have is the best set up for me but i think id like to try 3 more different ones. im looking for a mouthpiece that will work with a soft reed vandy v12 2.5 and help with projecting the sound. any suggestions?
thanks
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Author: Bill
Date: 2001-02-26 18:30
I have a 5RV Lyre, and have and have tried several other mouthpieces. The one that made a noticable difference for me is the Pomarico crystal. I use 2.5 cane reeds and a Legere 2.5 reed with it. Pomarico is a Sneezy sponsor, so check out the Pomarico web site. Of course, you need to give it the try test.
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Author: Pam
Date: 2001-02-26 20:00
You might also check out the Vandoren 5JB. It's really open facing helps create a bigger sound. Soft reeds are just the ticket on it too.
Good luck!
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-02-26 22:20
I would actually recommend you try the M13 "Lyre", which should have an opening between the 5RV and the standard M13.
I think the M13 stuff is a little more resistant, so a test session is in order.
You should be able to score one under $65.00.
It sounds like you might be after a little more feedback in the rig, to give you some more dynamic range and control.
On the expensive end, the Fobes stuff is really good.
One of our regular posters, Dave Spiegelthal, makes some good mouthpieces for about $40/ea. You might drop him a line for sorting out your needs and arranging a trial.
Has your teacher had an ear on this?
anji
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-02-27 02:03
It depends on what your looking for, my new mouthpiece actually did do a world of difference. Just don't be too close mindied about choosing one, its one of the most important parts, even more than the clarinet. I mean my concert mouthpiece on my marching clarinet sounds just as great as it does on my concert clarinet!
Sara
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Author: Chrissie
Date: 2001-02-27 03:26
In my experience (though not everyones I'm sure) most Vandoren Mouthpieces have played pretty sharp, regardless of how open or closed. I've tried quite a few and played on an M13 for a couple years. My opinion is to compare with a tuner and go for what's comfortable... and gives the sound *you* want. I play on the sharp side all the time...( I'm working on my throat and embouchure, but there's not much you can do about perpetually warm hands. =) ) so my opinion may be a little biased.
Good luck
Chrissie
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2001-02-27 03:47
If you're going to purchase a commercially made mouthpiece, I agree that a Vandoren M13 lyre would be worth trying, or you could try a Gigliotti #2 or #3. These would probably work best with a slightly harder reed. The 5JB is an excellent jazz mouthpiece, so if you're going to be playing strictly jazz, you may want to look into them.
There are also sneezy sponsors who hand make excellent mouthpieces.
BTW, is there any particular reason that you want to stay with a certain number reed? After a certain point, softer reeds make it more difficult to play. (At least that's been my experience.)
Chris
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Author: Jan
Date: 2001-02-27 13:19
to chris hill:
1) if i try the gigliotti what is the difference between the #2 & #3 and what size reed would you reccommend?
2) i was considering trying the vand 5JB but after reading your post about it being good for jazz...im in a concert band and cl.choir, would this be a bad choice then?
3) the reason i stay with a soft reed is because i find anything over a 3 to be too hard for me. i spent nearly a year trying different brands and strengths and ive come full circle and im back to what i started with-vandy v12 2.5 or 3. something tells me i should be able to use stronger reeds?? ive been playing for several years now after a 12 yr break. i even thot a different mouthpiece would help me use stronger reeds but the 3 i tried did not and according to the chart i should be using 3.5-4 with my 5rvl m.p
to anji:
1) if price does not matter (i will spend what i have to get the right combination- i just have to figure out what it is) what type of fobes would you reccommend?
2) when i told my teacher i wanted to try new mouthpieces he said to try the vand B45 that it is the closest thing to what he uses. i tried it and i like it but it didnt wow me like i thot after hearing so many other people like it so much.
to everyone:
do any of you know about bobeck m.p?
thanks again, J
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-03-01 04:35
I found almost all new off-the-shelf mouthpieces have deformed tables.
I make it a rule to flatten them using oil stone(sanding is too much).
There is a resurfacer to do this:http://eanello.virtualave.net/
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-03-01 14:02
I keep a "Japanese waterstone" for this purpose.
I like to have a baseline from which to progress, in any endeavor. A flat table is one such standard for my rig.
I have three M13s, all are slightly different but play close enough in character.
None were delivered with a flat table. (I wonder if that is deliberate?)
I start my mouthpiece fiddling with getting the table flat and then do so little as possible for the mpc to play without squeaking through the notes I can reach (Second G above the staff). No doubt all of my playable stuff follows nearly the same curve (don't ask me what's going on between the baffle and walls).
Tuning seems to be largely a matter of matching barrels and bores, so I wouldn't rule any mouthpiece out...there's some way to get them in tune.
I would like to commend Chris Hill and Greg Smith in their willingness to help out, particularly in that they are positive about their competition!
Buying one of their products would likely be a shorter path to getting a good rig.
anji
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2001-03-02 01:40
Hi Jan,
If you're looking into playing with a softer reed and getting a bigger sound you have to start looking at open mouthpieces. You did not seem happy about the B45 give a try to the B45 dot or the B40. Both have a very sound and project well.
You can also try the "5RV Lyre 13" which is very similar in facing to your mouthpiece but is a bit more focused.
Finally the very close mouthpieces such as the M13, M13 Lyre and the brand new M15, are great provided that you use hard reeds. I would not use anything softer than a "4" V12 with those mouthpieces.
That's for the Vandoren mouthpieces.
I like the Selmer C85 series, ("115" or "120") too.
The bottom line is that you have try a bunch of combination mouthpiece/reed before finding something which sounds good to you and that you feel comfortable with.
Hope this helps,
-S
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2001-03-02 03:58
The Gigliotti #2 is a closer facing than the #3, which means that a reed will feel softer on it. I've found that a closer facing allows me to have more focus and more projection in the sound. I would try a Vandoren V12 #3 1/2 on a #2, and a #3 on a #3, depending of course on altitude and weather. (At higher elevations, you'll need a softer reed.)
One other thing to try, and this is a long shot: Try a Gigliotti P facing or an M13 with a #4. The long, close facing with a hard reed may feel comfortable to you. This may sound like a strange suggestion, considering the fact that you don't generally like hard reeds, but it may work. This helped one of my students who was in the same situation as you, having stopped, then restarted.
My gut reaction, though, is that a Gigliotti #3 or a Vandoren V13 is probably what will work for you, at least as far as commercial mouthpieces are concerned.
I couldn't control a 5JB in a concert band or clarinet choir setting, and I play about five hours per day.
As for handmades, I'm familiar with the Borbeck, Smith, Garrett, and Fobes, and they all play well. There are others, of course that play well.
Chris
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2001-03-02 04:04
When flattening the table on a mouthpiece, please be aware that you will be shortening the curve of the facing. This will probably have a negative affect on the playability of the mouthpiece. If you do decide to lengthen the curve, please only do so if you have the proper measuring devices.
I think that the table dip is deliberate in the M13. Frequently, deep baffle mouthpieces play better with such a dip. I honestly don't know the scientific reasons as to why, but my philosophy is that if it works, I'll use it.
Chris
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