 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: PortBluePickles
Date: 2014-04-29 07:41
Hello there,
My 16th birthday is next month and I'm planning on asking my parents for either a new mouthpiece or a new barrel. I've only been playing clarinet for 5 years so I was wondering if you guys can give me some suggestions.
I have a Leblanc Bliss with a Vandoren 5RV Lyre mouthpiece and the barrel that my Bliss came with. I usually use Rue Lepic 56 reeds size three and a silver Olegature ligature.
I'm hoping you can help me figure out if I should either go with a barrel or a mouthpiece, and give me some recommendations for both. Something nice but under $200. Thank you so much!
--Emily(:
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-04-29 08:08
Hi, Emily:
What Bliss clarinet do you have--the all-wooden one, synthetic body with wooden barrel, or all-synthetic?
And, what are you trying to accomplish with the new mouthpiece or barrel?
Regards,
Greg
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: TomS
Date: 2014-04-29 16:13
I'd stick with the 5RV-lyre (is this a 13 series?) and if the barrel is tuning well for you I'd leave things alone.
Money would be best spent on a Ridenour ATG reed adjusting system, and extra private lessons.
If you still have an impulse to switch barrels, the Backun, Ridenour, Fobes, etc are all great. I'd call and be sure they are compatible with your instrument bore and MP, and if you order some, very carefully check the tuning. If they make your sound better but destroy the tuning, best not purchase.
The Ridenour barrels are hard rubber, have a dark sound, and will not change over time and use. Also less expensive. You could purchase the ATG system, a Ridenour (or other) barrel and a box of favorite reeds for your $200.
But, the barrel supplied with your Bliss should be designed to work well with your clarinet.
A really good, teacher is your best resource for changing your setup ... but the ATG reed adjustment system is a must have, IMHO.
Tom
Post Edited (2014-05-03 18:54)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-04-29 17:58
There is a subtle but pleasant difference in sound going to ringless "fat boy" barrel in African Blackwood (yes I am specific about this since other "non-metal ring" barrels can be somewhat brittle sounding). So if you have your eye on a ringless barrel that is somewhat thicker in the middle, I'd give it a whirl.
Mouthpieces are WORK, and though you could find something you like better (the 5RV Lyre is a really good mouthpiece), it would be best handled in a work like manner and NOT a gift !!!!
.........Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2014-04-29 18:08)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-04-29 23:03
TomS has it right. Why change?
Unless you have a specific problem you need to address with your current setup then your time and money are better spent elsewhere.
If you do have a specific problem then it needs to be identified and articulated.
Ideally on a one to one session with a professional or good teacher.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-04-30 16:55
There is no correct answer to your question because it depends on what you're trying to accomplish. A good mouthpiece goes with you whenever you move up in the clarinet you're using, can't say the same about the barrel. That depends so much of the clarinet you move up to some day. If you're not completely happy with your mouthpiece than you need to try as many as you can to see which one is the best for you. If you're happy with your mouthpiece and have no intentions of changing soon you would still have to try several different barrels because every one, even the same make and model, will play somewhat differently with your clarinet and mouthpiece.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: fskelley
Date: 2014-04-30 17:14
If you are currently not doing any kind of reed adjustments, I agree that the ATG system would be a good investment. Tom's methods are easy to learn and understand. You will throw away fewer reeds, and the ones you play will respond better. Plus his instructions on how to test reeds may well have a good influence on your embouchure etc, unless you're already aok in that regard.
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2014-04-30 18:09
With only 5 years experience, its not likely you would need to change either the barrel or the mouthpiece. A 5RV is an excellent mouthpiece - why change?
Invest in private lessons, and practice time.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: PortBluePickles
Date: 2014-05-02 05:03
Greg- I have the all wood one.
Everyone- Thank you for your thoughts and input. To be honest I'm not sure of exactly what I'm looking for; I guess I just want to have a better, darker sound. I will go to the music store next week and try out some barrels and see if there are any that stand out for me.
I will look into the ATG system and something like private lessons, which I've been begging my parents for for years now.
Thanks again!
--Emily(:
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-05-02 22:27
Emily - if you want to have a "better" sound the most important thing is to have a very clear idea in your aural mind of what you want to achieve. No amount of equipment change by itself will ever achieve that.
Of course the mouthpiece and reed combination are vitally important but only if you auralize internally the sound you want first.
Try listening to players who produce what you feel is your ideal sound and then capture that sound in your ear every time you practise.
Forget about barrels for now, at this stage of your playing I suspect their effect is about 1% of your quest.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Roxann
Date: 2014-05-03 00:29
If what you're looking for is a darker sound, a barrel can help. My Bliss (all wood) came with a Grenadilla MoBa barrel as well as the standard barrel. There's a night and day difference in sound between the two and I've had several people comment on what a nice sound the MoBa barrel makes. I know that there are a variety of MoBa barrels. I hope you find the perfect one for you. HOWEVER, I entirely agree with the recommendations given above. The ATG reed finishing system has saved me countless hours of frustration and countless dollars because almost every reed I buy ends up playing really well after a bit of ATG help. AND...private music lessons are KEY to great improvement.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-05-03 06:57
You may get more versatility and tone color by switching to Vandoren's M-Series of mouthpieces.
Barrels aren't really needed unless you have a distinct intonation problem, in my opinion. Many of the barrels on the market currently are just overpriced in my opinion.
You may consider switching reed blanks- the Rue Lepics are designed for longer facings, and the 5RV Lyre isn't that long. But if it works, it works!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2014-05-04 00:54
I don't have a lot of experience with the Bliss, but if you're getting good results with the Vandoren 5RV-Lyre and Rue Lepics, stay with the combination. I contacted Conn-Selmer a couple years ago in order to help a student select a mouthpiece for her Bliss, and was told that the mouthpiece that comes with it or a Vandoren B-45 would be good choices. There may be other good possibilities like your 5 RV-Lyre, but not every mouthpiece is a good match. I remember trying a Bliss once with the mouthpiece I was using at the time, an M-15, and it didn't work well. The Conn-Selmer clarinet specialist I spoke with confirmed that this isn't a recommended combination.
After a lot of experimentation, my student got great results with her Bliss stock mouthpiece and 2 1/2 Vandoren V-12s, but you have to find the mouthpiece-reed combination that works best for you.
I've never tried other barrels with a Bliss, but Dave Kessler agrees with Roxann about using a MoBa.
http://www.kesslermusic.com/blog/?p=429
If you're located in Las Vegas, you might want to visit Kessler Music. I've never ordered from them, but they have a great reputation.
Post Edited (2014-05-04 00:58)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-05-06 20:27
If I were you, I wouldn't order a Backun barrel. . . Just say no.
They may look pretty, but they really don't play that well. If you want your clarinet to be a fashion accessory, then that's a totally different story. . .
How about just ordering a bunch of reeds? You can never have too many reeds.
I used a M15-style mouthpiece with a Bliss to try one out, and it played very nicely. Conn-Selmer is probably assuming the majority of people playing Bliss clarinets are beginners, and therefore recommending the stereotypical beginner-models from Vandoren (B45 and 5RV). It doesn't make any sense otherwise, because these mouthpieces are totally different in any way.
Post Edited (2014-05-06 20:28)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
