 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Brother Joe
Date: 2013-04-24 01:51
Well, the Behn Vintage model A mouthpiece arrived a few day ago and I couldn't be happier. Every angle and corner is absolutely perfect.
It has been a joy to play and given me a new outlook on playing. My fear was that a mouthpiece that was supposed to have a large sound and speak easily would equate to a lack of core and sound thin and reedy. It actually has more core than anything I've ever played. There is not a hint of reediness even on strength 3 reeds. Mr. Behn was kind enough to send several different reeds that all work well with the piece. The best, however seems to be Vandoren 3 or 3 1/2. Another concern was that if the ring was too much, the sound may be offensive. The ring is very, very alive but well balanced with a beautiful warmth. I have an evenness that I've never had as well. My altissimo register is absolutely beautiful, carrying the chalameau sound with it. My low range has a beautiful focus that projects like a lazer beam at pianissimo. My wife, also a clarinetist and painfully honest, says that I've finally got "the sound". I've always had a good sound but now it's great.
Mr Behn has truly gone out of his way in his customer service. We have had lengthy conversations about playing and he seems truly interested in me as a person and a musician. I think I have a very acute sense of people and I think that his business is truly birthed from a love for his art. I'm really not being melodramatic, but we all know what it's like to be talked "at" rather than truly respected. I never detected a hint of not being valued because I'm not famous.
I played it in our church orchestra Sunday morning and we ended one piece on a soft, beautifully orchestrated chord, and a single sunbeam shined through a stained glass windows anointing my brow as I played the mediant of the key up high. A hush fell over the room, and somewhere, off in the distance, a Methodist spoke in tongues.
I play a Buffet Festival from the mid 90's. BA in performance from Oral Roberts University and MA in performance from Indiana State University.
brother joe
brother joe
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2013-04-25 19:03
I didn't get one of these yet, but got an Artist Eb mouthpiece from Brad. The sound gets better every time I play the instrument! Great job, Brad Behn!!!!
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: William
Date: 2013-04-25 19:10
Congradulations--however, I am curious as to what the Methodist was saying about your sound.........(?)
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Author: donald
Date: 2013-04-25 22:20
I'm doing hours of E flat practise at the moment- most of this week it's been 3 or more hours a day at the eefer (Ravel and contemporary music), and I have had the same E flat mouthpiece since Brad made one for me in 1996. I've never been tempted to buy another. Other people who try it have tried this mouthpiece wanted to steal it from me, and I've also had two friends over the years who borrowed it and wouldn't give it back.
Brad does great work and really knows what he is doing!
dn
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Author: Brother Joe
Date: 2013-04-26 01:40
My sound continues to blossom the more I play. I'm learning to allow the mouthpiece to fully speak - something that was somewhat impeded by a faulty embouchure. Too much lower lip on the reed and tongue position too low. The projection and resonance of the mouthpiece continue to be amazing. I never knew I could get such a sound. Playing up to a double high C has never felt more stable. Also, it's very easy to make color changes and large dynamic contrasts.
brother joe
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Author: Bill
Date: 2013-04-27 03:18
Nice post! The closest I ever came to these proprietary Behns was a Chadash-Hill mpc I obtained for a little over $100. It also played with a noticeable evenness and creamy sound. For some reason, I decided to sell it and have regretted that move ever since. Lucky for me, Brad has refaced many of my antiques down through the years and I have so many wonderful examples of his craft.
Bill Fogle
Ellsworth, Maine
(formerly Washington, DC)
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Author: sonicbang
Date: 2013-05-11 21:28
I just got back 3 mouthpiece refaced by Brad Behn, and I couldn't be happier!
I just played Madama Butterfly (2nd clarinet) this evening and my Sumner just sang through the orchestra when needed and blended nicely with the woodwind section. The others are a nice and rare Couesnon Monopole Perier 2 (I didn't want to use this one as 2nd clarinettist now, because it has a huge sound. However, a contemporary music performance is coming soon!) and a Martin Freres which is a good one too.
For those who haven't tried this work I really recommand to try, because he really knows what to do with any kind of blank to get the best results.
Disclaimer: I'm just a satisfied customer.
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