 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: andrewcsq
Date: 2013-08-04 07:49
Hey everyone, I'm just starting to get into Eb clarinet for my school's band (an example of what we hope to play is Hanover Festival http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9rNbAV2k5E), and I was thinking of trying (and possibly getting) my own mouthpiece to use on the school's instrument.
Ideally this mouthpiece shouldn't break the bank, so I was thinking of looking at the Vandoren models (readily available locally, and most of the teacher's in the area prefer it)
Naturally, I'm going to have to head down to the music stores locally and spend an afternoon or two trying out mouthpieces, but I was hoping to tap into some of the excellent insights found on the board regarding the general playing characteristics of the Vandoren pieces (or any recommendations that can be had for <~150 USD)
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2013-08-04 08:40
I sometimes play a Vandoren B44 for eefer and it works fine. I prefer a Fobes San Fran most of the time, and I also have a Hite that I think works well.
Vandoren makes a good, reasonably priced mouthpiece, but I find with eefer that keeping my options open to whatever works best to tame the little beast has been the best answer for me.
Good luck!
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2013-08-04 17:22
I currently own and perform on a B40 by Vandoren for Eb. What I like about it over the B44, which is probably the most popular Vandoren Eb mouthpiece, is that there is slightly more resistance due to the wider rails. The result of this is, in my opinion, a better speaking upper register, which is extremely important in Eb clarinet playing. The upper register just comes out with pretty darn good control. You have to use slightly softer reeds (I use Vandoren blue box 3 strength) but it doesn't matter since the mouthpiece responds well. Like any other mouthpiece, do try a few before you buy one. Try some of the B44s and try some of the B40s. Test every range but especially the upper clarion and altissimo register primarily, since that is usually the main area you play on Eb. Tuning is number one or Eb, then check for resistance, feel, response, etc. It is 1000 times more crucial to be in tune on Eb than even Bb/A because of how exposed you usually are, being so high up with flutes and piccolo. It also helps blend with the Bb's/A's and oboes when unison. I hope this helps!
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Author: Alphie
Date: 2013-08-04 19:57
I second Clarimeister about B40! It's a very good, easy to play MP for Eb-clar. Compared to the B44 you have to work less in the altissimo on the B40. With a good air flow and the right reed you will be less tempted to pinch as you ascend up in the altissimo register. To be sure to get reeds with enough cane, experiment with Bb reeds, preferably White Master (German cut Bb-flat reeds) that are narrower than the other Vandorens.
Alphie
Clarinet/Eb-clarinet RSPO
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Author: andrewcsq
Date: 2013-08-04 21:59
Thanks for the responses everyone (:
Seems like the consensus is that Vandoren is pretty standard. I've heard good things about Lomax mouthpieces as well but I'm quite wary of asymmetrical facings (especially since reed adjustment is still very tricky for me).
I've heard that the standard practice is to use Bb reeds (thin ones, like the white master) on Eb, but they don't exactly fit lengthwise.... does one simply take a big, big set of clippers or a saw and cut off the excess bits? What strength would you recommend? (I've got one each of a 3, 3.5 and 4 traditional Eb clarinet reed that I got from school so that's what I'll be trialing mouthpieces with I think...)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-08-04 22:14
The best inexpensive Eb mouthpiece I have played was the Hite. I tried a Vandoren for a time and did not care for it. The Hite was more flexible and responsive. Fobes makes a great Eb mouthpiece, but that is likely out of your budget range.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2013-08-05 01:36
Just remove about a centimetre from the heel. I use a small panel saw, does a neat job.
Tony F.
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2013-08-05 03:43
Vandoren just came out with an M30 Eb model... I just bought one a couple of weeks ago, and I absolutely love it.
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: BobW
Date: 2013-08-05 14:41
To trim a Bb reed
I went to the hobby store and purchased a small exacto miter box and saw
very inexpensive and it does a good job
Good Luck
Bob
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Author: William
Date: 2013-08-05 14:57
I prefer my vintage Selmer HS** Eb mouthpiece over my (expensive) Charles Bay custom. Easier, more in tune high range, and a big sound on my Yamaha 681 effer. I am lucky to have an original Winslow ligature which adds a lot of resonance and a Fobes extention which makes the transition between registers more smooth. I wish there was a similar extention for my C, Bb and A clarinets......
For adjusting Bb reeds for my Eb mouthpiece, I use an electrical wire crimper to pinch a small porting of the butt off. Works well for either cane or synthetic material, much better than the coping saw I used to use. Fast and clean cuts.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-08-05 15:15
I shorten reeds with a coping saw with a super-fine-tooth blade. The secret is to cut a groove on the bottom before you start cutting from the bark side. This results in a clean butt end, which can be easily trimmed with an Exacto knife if you're really fussy.
Ken Shaw
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2013-08-05 16:05
You're working too hard with those saws. Just use some scissors. Hell, I've even bitten off the bottom when I was in a hurry.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-08-05 18:57
I have used a pair of gardening pruners that very quickly and smoothly takes that extra portion of the reed off.
Post Edited (2013-08-05 18:57)
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2013-08-05 19:29
Or, instead of messing with the reeds at all, use a barrel that has been altered to give it clearance (sanded or sawed). You can do this yourself if needed (but I'd only suggest it on ringless versions). Works great, and eliminates the need to cut down the Bb reeds....the barrel just becomes an extendion of your mpc table!
I had this done on a custom barrel and it has been great!
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Author: andrewcsq
Date: 2013-08-06 00:27
Hmm I definitely don't have enough cash for a new barrel and a new mouthpiece, so it seems I'll be finding some oversized scissors in the near future...
Turns out that mouthpieces are so overpriced locally that ordering a Hite from WWBW over in the US would be the same price as a new B40 (M30s are unavailable - and probably will be for some time). Has anyone else compared the Hite to the B40/B44?
@Ed, what strength / cut of reeds do you use with the Hite? Is the rough consensus that narrower reeds like the German Cut vandorens would work best with the narrower Eb mouthpiece?
Eb is a tricky little beast compared to Bb, and seems the mouthpiece search is trickier as well!
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2013-08-06 01:48
^I contacted Vandoren on Twitter, of all places, and they sent the new M30 to the music store that I shop at. I'm sure they would do the same for anyone else who is interested!
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: BbClari.net
Date: 2013-08-09 01:26
I use a Vandoren B44 for my Eb, but that was the only one my store carried and I was in need of a mouthpiece pretty quickly due to impatience.
If you can, try out mouthpieces at the store. As many as you can to see what feels best for you, especially with such a finicky instrument. Try out all the different registers, the tuning, etc.
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2013-08-09 19:09
The M30 Eb mouthpiece is on sale at Weiner Music online....I just bought one! I'll let you know how it works once I get it.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-08-09 21:01
Quote:
@Ed, what strength / cut of reeds do you use with the Hite? Is the rough consensus that narrower reeds like the German Cut vandorens would work best with the narrower Eb mouthpiece?
I believe I used 3.5 or 4, depending on the reed or cut. I have used the german cut reeds, regular Eb and regular Bb reeds. All worked well, but with slight differences in feel, tonal color and response. I go back and forth depending on what I need for a particular performance.
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2013-08-19 11:20
Just a quick update....
I received that new Vandoren M30 mouthpiece for eefer, and have now played on it several times. I have to say that I like it a lot.
It plays easily and openly (not surprising given that it has a larger tip opening and a longer facing length than many similar mouthpieces) with a nice round tone. Altissimo notes were easy and in tune (which is saying something) even with a 3.5 reed. In the marketing materials Vandoren describes it as "the perfect balance of flexibility and roundness of sound" and I think I might agree.
So, it's a keeper, especially for less than a hundred bucks. I'm considering if it will replace my Hite mouthpiece (which has been my second favorite for a while), but it certainly is an improvement over the 2RV (at least for my horn and embouchure).
I have no affiliation, but wanted to share the information since this is a new model in Eb clarinet mouthpieces for Vandoren.
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Author: Puffing Mummy
Date: 2013-10-13 18:55
Hi, I'm in the UK, and bought a Buffet E11 Eb a couple of months ago. It played easily, but was sharp. It is tuned to 442, so needs to be pulled out, very useful!
I was not happy with the tone, or reeds,and have tried almost every brand in a variety of strengths to achieve Altissimo cleanly.
I also purchased the new Vandoren E30 mouthpiece. The sound is clear and strong, a real surprise on playing with it! I love it!
I got a Rovner Dark Ligature at the same time.
I also bought a Legere Reed, trying a 2. Altissimo was stuffy. That went back for a 2.5, still stuffy and somewhat limited.
I then contacted Legere, who have been really helpful. I now have a 2.75. Altissimo is almost there beyond E, but I may have to try a harder one again. The tone is much better overall, with the combination of Mouthpiece, Ligature and the Legere Reed.
The Legere Reed chart is only a guide.
Tuning is still an issue in this register. I have tried all sorts of alternative fingerings, however, one solution seems to work for me.
The notes that play flat from a piece of music, I raise by a semi-tone if the tuner shows the note is out by that, and play down a semi-tone if it is sharp. (Playing sharp happens less often if I have pulled out enough).
Of course I have to mark my music in advance, but that is a small price to pay to be reasonably in tune on this unpredictable little instrument!
I have a Buffet RC Prestige with a Yamaha B6 mouthpiece, Rovner Ligature, and Vandoren V12 3 reeds. It works for me.
It is as ever, a long search for Clarinet perfection.!
Any tips out there for reaching Altissimo on Legere above E?
Thanks, Puffing Mummy
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