 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: leicht45
Date: 2014-05-16 02:07
Hi there,
I have a Buffet-Crampon Vintage clarinet and have been playing the instrument for the last decade in a music school. Now I work and sadly I cannot attend classes anymore. Vandoren mouthpieces I used as a student are B40 and M30. M30 is the one I use now with 3.5 strenght Vandoren reeds.
I am now starting to realize how to get a purer, more centered and brighter sound (muscle thing mainly) and Id like to go for a directly professional mouthpiece, together with harder reeds. 4 up to 5.
I have been taught following the german system and aim to play works of Brahms, Weber, Mozart's concerto, Saint-Säens... mostly classical eruopean stuff. Jazz is for the moment not so important.
Vandoren mouthpieces I have in mind are M15 and 5RV. According to them (Vandoren), M15 can be played with reeds in the 3 to 5 range, which I find positive, when somebody masters the technique to produce a professional sound, and 5RV is the "standard for professional musicians".
Have you tried these 2 models and can help me out? Im now in Europe and cannot afford a wood personal made mouthpiece. Price up to 160€ is payable.
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Author: Classical Saxophonist
Date: 2014-05-16 02:20
The M30 and M40 are professional mouthpieces. So what do you mean by saying that you want a decent professional mouthpiece?
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-05-16 03:10
Classical Saxophonist:
The "M40" model does not exist, perhaps you mean the B40?
Here's my take on the 5RV:
So, the 5RV was made in France for French musicians. At the time, Mr. Vandoren preferred a relatively close facing with a shorter length of lay. Due to his work on manufacturing and accuracy, many players gravitated towards this first model and it became a "standard".
However, in these days it is far less popular. I would say that if you want a pure and centered sound, there are very good options available for you for harder reeds.
For your approach, I would recommend:
M13
M13 Lyre
M15
M30 Lyre
M30
M30D
The B40 Lyre is what I personally play on, which could also be excellent for you. However, for most people it works best with a size 3 reed, and some choose to try a 3.5. For most people, harder reeds on this mouthpiece requires far too much pressure for comfort.
Try out the M30 D and the M15 first. You aren't far away from that centered and pure sound with the M30- the M30 is said by many who play it to have a very chocolatey sound, a distinction that I agree with. I played on an M30 for years.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-05-16 03:14
Don't get hung up by Vandoren marketing hype.
Also why the desire for harder reeds? Harder isn't better its just harder.
The mouthpiece that works best for you is the only objective you should have and for every mouthpiece there is an optimum strength of reed that helps you produce "your" best sound.
There is a quite recent post here that shows list of professional players using VD mouthpieces and the model they chose, have a look at that. ( see post titled B40 Lyre).
Post Edited (2014-05-16 03:18)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-05-16 05:52
There are quite a few symphonic players using the M30 with 3.5 reeds (mainly Vandoren V12).
The M30 is not that much more open than a 5RV Lyre. And even with that I wouldn't really go much more than a nr.4 strength on that.
What you have is great. Hone the use of your air to achieve more focus and better sound.
...........Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2014-05-16 05:55)
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-05-16 06:03
The Vandoren "M" series are played by many professionals. So are the Selmers, Behns, Ridenours, Fobes, Hites, Goldentones, ... on and on. Hardly anything that is not used "professionally".
A "professional MP" only means that someone making money playing clarinet uses it.
Vandoren "M" series is a good place to start, and for many fine players, a great place to end. I like the M30-lyre ... but that's just me.
Just remember, almost anything that you try that is fairly good, new and different will usually, for a while, seem like: "wow! where have you been all my life?". Once the honeymoon is over, you will want to try something else. Resist.
Time is better spent practicing and studying with a good teacher, than wasting energy and money in the never ending quest for the perfect MP. Find something and stick with it. Maybe not forever, because you will eventually change and have an impulse to experiment.
I think Daniel Bonade made similar suggestions about MP mania.
Tom
Post Edited (2014-05-16 07:47)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-05-16 14:27
Well, there wasn't THAT MUCH to chose from when Daniel Bonade was around but his point was that there is a pretty standard, average facing that most symphonic players use. I'm pretty sure the M30 is within that standard range.
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2014-05-17 19:47
With only a expressed desire to change various aspects of timbre and no issues noted with response or tuning, the LAST thing I'd change is the mouthpiece.
I'd be inclined to keep using the M30 and search for reeds that accommodate one's tonal concepts better than the Vandoren Traditional.
The M30 is a fine professional mouthpiece. Unless and until you've investigated the timbral possibilities offered by different reeds and found nothing satisfactory, I see no reason to move away from it.
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-05-22 07:41
Try the old red box Rico Reserve reeds (3.5 or 3) or the new Rico Reserve Classics (when they launch this summer, same size).
I LOVE Vandoren reeds. But eventually, you have to realize that with reeds, there are so many choices.
The M30's facing has the American and a bit of French tradition in the curve, so I would bet that the V12s and Rue Lepics would work the best with it in Vandoren land (this is speaking from experience). I use a B40 Lyre, but the V12s and Traditionals work best with it because of the type of curve.
In choosing reeds (for the most part), the tip opening determines the overall strength, while your air and embouchure pressure seals the deal. The curve is crucial in determining the cut of reed (unfiled vs. filed, length of the vamp, thickness of the reed).
Visit this informative page for more info:
dawkes.co.uk/clarinets/clarinet-reeds.ph
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2014-05-23 06:16
I played the 5RV lyre as a kid with success, but wouldn't touch it now for my students if I had to.
The M30, 15, 13 are who I like from the Vandoren line, 13 being my favorite. No lyre, as that just isn't for me.
Someone mentioned there weren't a lot of choices back in Bonade's time. There may not have been a ton of manufacturers, but back in the Strad days, possibly there weren't a ton of choices back then either.
Chedeville, Casper weren't bad concessions..... There are some great manufacturers out there these days.
If I played Vandoren Reeds, it would either be the V-12, or the Rue 56, not the regular ones. We never hear about their Hand Select Reeds - do they still exist?
I remember them being a big splash when they came out.
~~~^D¥~~~~
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-05-23 22:21
I bought a box of "hand selected" reed direct from VD at Rue Lepic must be at least 25-30 years ago. I can't remember being overwhelmed by the contents when I got home and tried them, no worse than or better than the regular boxes as I recall.
Mind you I had chance to hand pick and test play reeds at their HQ back then but when I got back to UK and tried them I don't think my selection was significantly better than the average box either. The test room was highly resonant and full of young conservatoire students blowing their hearts out so testing conditions far from ideal.
I hear they now give first study students 3 free boxes a month instead.
Have never heard of the hand selected range since then either.
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