 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Roxann
Date: 2012-12-05 19:28
I am a clarinet player who is currently playing on a Fobes Debut mouthpiece with a Rovner MKIII ligature. I'd like to upgrade both items and am looking at the VanDoren B45 mouthpiece (with 3 different options) and either the Rover Versa ligature or the VanDoren Optimum ligature. With the B45mouthpiece, I must decide among "traditional beak & profile 88," "series 13 American pitch-profile 88," and AT45 profile 88." The explanations Vandoren offers for the differences among them are not helping me make a decision. Can any of you shed more light on the differences as well as which one would be best suited for someone who plays in bands (no solo work) and a clarinet ensemble and who is an advanced intermediate 63 year old student? ALSO...is it worth the money to move from a Rovner MKIII ligature to a Rovner Versa? Would a better choice be to move to the VanDoren Optimum? Any help or feedback you can provide would be GREATLY appreciated. Thank you. I play on a late 1960's Selmer Signet Soloist.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-12-05 19:48
I can offer some advice on the architecture of the mouthpieces. Vandoren (and Charles Bay) offer thinner (duckbilled) mouthpieces so that you don't have to open your mouth quite as much to take in the same amount of mouthpiece. It's ONLY a matter of feel. I prefer "feeling the mouthpiece" so I tend to a traditional beak.
Now for the 13 series. It is marketed as a mouthpiece pitched at A=440 (and specifically for the Buffet R13). In reality it is just a flatter pitched mouthpiece and I would recommend avoiding this like the plague because it will introduce pitch irregularities to the horn (internally bad tuning) that you will wind up fighting with new barrels, headaches, etc. for the rest of your career.
As for what specific mouthpiece or ligature to upgrade to, I find that each individual needs to find that piece out for themselves. I did like the way you can really crank down the Optimum (if you like doing that sort of thing to your reeds). It tends to lend a less ringing sound to the set up since all that metal dampens the vibrations a bit.
If you want to spend some money on a nice vibrant ligature, I'd recommend the very well made Peter Spriggs Floating Rail ligature. You CANNOT crank this one down (and switching fast from A to Bb requires some skill) but it resonates wonderfully. I just can't seem to put mine down.
....................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-12-05 20:07
The beak type on the Vandoren mouthpiece is more of a personal choice and doesn't have any effect on the facing or internal dimensions of the mouthpiece. The "profile 88" type has a shallower angle on the beak of the mouthpiece which may be more comfortable for double lip players or players with smaller mouths. The "13 series" designation denotes that the mouthpiece is designed to play at a slightly lower pitch than the traditional design (due to most American ensembles tuning to A=440Hz rather than A=442Hz).
As for the ligatures, in my experience you probably won't notice much of a difference going from a Rovner Mk.3 to a Versa. The Versa is a nicer ligature but you probably won't notice much if any difference in your sound. I'd recommend sticking with your Mk.3 for now.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2012-12-05 20:19
The Debut is a really nice mouthpiece and is comfortable to play. The facing and the style of the B45 is very different. I would suggest you try a few to see if that style fits you. One of the closer Vandorens would be a closer match.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roxann
Date: 2012-12-05 20:33
Thank you to each of you for your very helpful advice. I certainly appreciate it.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roxann
Date: 2012-12-05 20:38
Which VanDorens would you consider "closer?" I'm assuming you mean "closer" to the Debut but I don't know which ones those would be. Thank you.
Post Edited (2012-12-05 20:38)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-12-05 22:29
I am not familiar with the Debut, however the B45 is a rather open mouthpiece. The Vandorens that behave more "middle of the road" (for me) are the M13 (sorry, only available in 13), the 5RV Lyre, and perhaps the M15 (though it behaves a bit more closed than the dimensions imply).
......................Paul Aviles
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed
Date: 2012-12-06 01:32
I would probably look at the M13lyre, 5RV or 5RV lyre. I find the 13 series to be good, but as mentioned, a little flat especially in the throat register. I slightly shorter barrel can often solve this.
You can look at Clark's chart
http://www.clarkwfobes.com/mp-chart.html
The Debut is based on the CF+ facing. Clark makes comparisons and also links to the Vandoren charts. You'll see that the B45 is much more open. I find them harder to control than the closer style facings.
If you are flexible to trying something outside the Vandoren line, the new Rico Reserve mouthpiece would be a great choice. The X0 would probably be closest to what you are using. They are available from lots of places Kessler Music even sells with a ligature included
http://kesslermusic.com/rico/reserve/mouthpieces.html
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roxann
Date: 2012-12-06 15:13
Thank you Paul. I've found your advice to be extremely helpful. Unfortunately, I don't speak French so can't follow up on a couple of pieces of advice others have given.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Katrina
Date: 2012-12-06 21:53
I'd recommend the 5RV or RV Lyre from Vandoren. Ultimately the best advice you can take for mouthpieces is to try multiples of the same "model" (usually called "facing" here).
As far as ligature, I really like my Vandoren Optimum. A lot. I also recommend for students or those on a budget the Bonade Inverted. I'd get it from Muncy Winds though because unless you have a teacher who knows how to evaluate and adjust the Bonades, they're a crapshoot from places like WW/BW. The quality control has gone way down...
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ron Scholer
Date: 2012-12-07 02:27
My take here is cut and dry.
ALL mouthpiece vibrate, barrels and the actual horns vibrate.
When you use a soft ligature is can stop the vibrations of the mouthpiece or at least dull it. Dulling the vibrations can have you playing warmer. Thats a good thing because almost everyone doesn't have a Wright, Gennusa, Marcellus, a not well known man, Frank Kowalski, can get away with pretty much playing anything.
I use a reverse Bonade and I've cut out some of the supports to allow the MP to vibrate as free as possibly. For me lighter the weight the better.
It's actually that simple. The choices are somewhat simple as well. The cost is low enough so buy several assorted soft and a few metal ones. Sent the rest back keeping the one you like the best. I once played a beautiful Harrison engravings, I wanted it! Well it weighed too much. Priced around $225. It looked so great I was studying it trying to find a way to make it work.
If you watch symphony players, there's no rules. Often you will see players with both types. Gennusa played a Bonade, I think Harald Wright did, and I'm pretty sure our clarinet maker our fine and wonderful man - clarinet maker Tom Ridinour might as well.
For me the less metal the better. Folks there is a difference. I was blind folded one day. Days when we are all bored and have nothing better to do! I played 2 types, the thick Rover type and mine. I also tried the test on Selmers, the 10 series. It was a simple test. No comparison.
So as I said at the beginning it's a cut and dry question. All you have to do is buy some,figure out what sound you like and send the rest back.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
