 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: acermak
Date: 2013-10-30 16:49
Is there a resource that has different mouthpiece characteristics, for instance that could tell me what kind of facing different mouthpieces have or tip openings across brands?
The reason I ask I am looking for a mouthpiece for a Bundy eefer, I've just acquired and I don't know how to narrow the field (other than price) to find one I like. I do, however, know what I like and don't like on other clarinet mouthpieces.
So on my bass, I didn't like a Kessler custom mouthpiece (too open), but love my B45 and liked the Fobes Debut on it. On the soprano, I was happy with the Rico graftonite, Fobes Debut and the B45 I currently play on it, but absolutely hated the 5RV I tried. On Contra alto, I'm happy with my Fobes Nova but did not care much for the Bundy #3 it came with. For the alto, I found a Selmer Goldentone #3 to be hard to play, but a Hite Premier is a nice fit for me.
I figure, if there's a chart somewhere where I could look at these mouthpiece characteristics, I should get an idea of that for which I'm looking for the eefer, since I would guess my other mouthpiece choices indicate my preferences. I would guess from looking at my other choices, that I like the mushy middle of facing and tip opening.
I'm not a professional or even a good amateur, just an adult who takes music lessons and plays for my own enjoyment, and through the magic of track layering, I can play and enjoy multipart pieces with my clarinets. Hence the eefer.
Yes, I know I'll be flat and my tuner will be my new best friend for quite a while as I try to wrestle her notes into range, and, given it's a student instrument, I may never get them totally there. On the other hand, my low Eb bass, contra alto and alto are all Bundys and they play well enough for my purposes.
Amy
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2013-10-31 00:09
I don't recall if Fobes makes a debut Eb mouthpiece, but that would be a good option if he does. Inexpensive and they function fine for your purposes.
The number of people who have lower priced Eb mouthpieces is small it seems.
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Author: bradfordlloyd
Date: 2013-10-31 09:32
I agree with the Fobes and Hite recommendations -- I play both mouthpieces on occasion and they work very well on eefer. I must say that I play my Fobes San Francisco most often, however.
Another mouthpiece I use occasionally on eefer is the Vandoren M30. I just bought it recently and have been pleased, although it has a wider tip opening and facing length than some other mouthpieces, so it feels and play a little differently in my estimation. Still, it's worth a shot.
I'm not aware of a good brand-to-brand comparison chart for e flat mouthpieces, but it would certainly be helpful as a starting point. Beyond that, it's more about finding a mouthpiece that works for you.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-11-03 23:03
Johnny -
No. The Bb tenon is too big to fit into the Eb barrel. Also, the Bb mouthpiece is longer than the Eb. Even if it fit, it would be out of tune.
However, there are Eb mouthpieces that use Bb reeds.
Ken Shaw
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Author: acermak
Date: 2013-11-04 18:52
OK, I've ordered a Hite as a starting point. My instrument is currently at the shop awaiting her repad. So hopefully I'll receive the Hite mpc and Rovner light lig & cap before she comes home and I'll be able to try her out. I do use a Hite on my alto, and I like it.
A new barrel (I am taken by the Bakuns with the reed cutout) will wait until I have some idea how the mpc is working for me and I have some chops developed for her. I am tempted to wear hearing protection and use my tuner to tell me how off I am at first. I know...cowardice.
I've not got a good idea of what reed strength to use. I think I'll try trimming down some Bb ones to try to get a feel for that before buying an entire box. I, for whatever reason, use a #3 on everything else (soprano, contra alto, alto, bass), so I suspect I'll wind up there on the sopranino as well.
Unfortunately, it doesn't look like Mr. Fobes makes either the Debut or the Nova for the Eb sopranino. And a San Francisco is a little out of my ability to justify.
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