 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Claritenor
Date: 2013-01-02 04:33
Hello fellow clarinet players. I'm looking to step up to a professional mouthpiece/ligature combination and searching for suggestions (perhaps what you all out there use). I'm currently on a Vandoren B45 (Vandoren blue box 3.5 reeds) and a Rovner Dark ligature. Thanks in advance! ![[rotate]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley25.gif)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-01-02 06:37
There are professional players around who use both of those. What problem are you trying to fix?
Karl
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Author: ruben
Date: 2013-01-02 10:38
ear friend,
I had prettty much the same set-up as you and I switched to a Michael Lomax -Andrew Marriner model-mouthpiece and a Lomax leather ligature designed to reproduce the acoustic properties of the old German shoe-lace without the inconvenience of having to wrap it around each time. This mouthpiece was designed with the help of Mr. Marriner who previously used a Vandoren B45. I am delighted with it and find it far superior to the Vandoren. I have recommended it to other players that also switched from Vandoren B45 and their reaction was identical to mine. All the best!
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-01-02 11:51
Mouthpieces are such a personal item that it is hard to see how anybody could give you any meaningful advice. Many professional players are perfectly happy with the mouthpiece/ ligature setup you're using. Why do you feel the need to upgrade. What is wrong with what you have and what do you hope to gain?
Tony F.
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2013-01-02 13:15
I used a set-up similar to yours for years and just wanted to try something new. Perhaps you feel the same way....
So, I played around with several different mouthpieces, ligatures, and reed combinations and ended up preferring the Vandoren Optimum ligature (although, frankly, I didn't find that the ligature made all that much difference overall and find the Optimum to be a pretty expensive option), chose slightly softer reeds (Vandoren V-12, 3.5+), and found several really good mouthpiece choices...my favorites include: Fobes San Francisco, Walter Grabner, and Vandoren M13 Lyre.
In the end, I found that my idea of the sound that I wanted to achieve, my embouchure and breath support, and commitment to practicing to achieve the results were at least as important as the equipment I was using. But, by having the ability to switch around the set-up and experiment with it as part of practice, I learned quite a bit and it made me understand what I needed to do to improve.
So, enjoy exploring different equipment and see where it takes you.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2013-01-02 13:31
Use the search function on this page for "new mouthpiece ligaure" without the quotes. You will get over 1,000 hits. Many will address your question.
jnk
Post Edited (2013-01-03 21:55)
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Author: Claritenor
Date: 2013-01-02 15:48
I posted this because I had other clarinet players saying that the B45 is no good, even for students. But after reading this I'll more than likely keep it
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2013-01-02 16:35
I would comment that the B45 has a rather large tip opening. This, for me, leads one to a less controlled sound (less compact and focused because you are using more energy to control pitch and tone from note to note).
My criticism has NOTHING to do with the professional quality of Vandoren whatsoever.
But if you are looking for a sound suited purely for orchestral auditions, I might suggest trying a less open set up, such as a Vandoren 5RV Lyre, or M13. In this I merely suggest the feel you get from the size and in no way would limit your search to Vandoren.
Keep in mind that switching DOWN in required 'energy' (embouchure support, jaw pressure - whatever you want to call it) is much harder than switching UP, ...............but I think it's worth the effort !!!
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2013-01-03 23:31
For Vandoren Mouthpieces, try the 5RV lyre, M13, M13 lyre, M15, and M30. The last two take a little more control. You will have to move up to a stronger reed than you use on the B45.
Steve Ocone
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