 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2014-06-12 06:20
Greetings!
I've been playing on a 5RV Lyre for the past 5 years and have an excellent clarinet tone from what I've been told by my Private Teacher and colleagues, but I feel like another mouthpiece could possibly help to possibly smoothen out or darken my sound.
I've tried a CL4, the CL6, a B45, and an M13, however I always came back to my 5RV Lyre. Recently I ordered an M30 Lyre because I have heard it plays and sounds like a better 5RV Lyre, but I'm wondering what reeds I should pair with it. I have used 3 1/2 V12's and currently 3 1/2 Blue Box reeds on my 5RV Lyre, but was wondering if I should stick to 3 1/2 or if a strength 4 Blue Box reed would rid of some harshness in tone.
Thank you!
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-06-12 06:42
I think a 3.5+ would be a good match in the M30 Lyre range. . I would think a size 4 would be a bit too hard.
If you are experiencing weird harshness in your tone, other than technique issues it could be simple reed adjustment, or may even indicate a facing imbalance. . Or just could be bad reeds.
I think the V12s would be a good match as far as cut because of the length of the facing, but I definitely think a 4 is too hard. But then again, everyone is different, so. . .
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Author: tylerleecutts
Date: 2014-06-12 07:39
I'm not sure- I would think either a traditional or a V12 would work best. Due to the length of the facing, a 56 Rue Lepic reed wouldn't work as well, I would think.
Try a Trad. and a V12 in similar strength and see what happens.
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2014-06-12 08:22
Awesome I'll try that! But does anyone else have personal experience with the M30 Lyre to pass on?
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2014-06-12 10:36
Attachment: Untitled (43).mp3 (847k)
If I can this is what I mean by harshness of tone. Definitely not my best work and I could do a lot better, but I was getting very frustrated at the harshness. And as a result some notes were very uncontrolled and not cared for
Post Edited (2014-06-12 10:42)
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Author: Maestro_6
Date: 2014-06-12 11:19
I have played on the M30 Lyre but not the 5RV Lyre. With that said, my experience says to stick with the 3.5 in either V12 or Blue Box if it feels comfortable. Upper strengths can cause biting where you would be applying more pressure than you need to. I don't feel comfortable with 3.5+ on it, although I don't play it regularly. 3.5 Blue Box on the M30 Lyre is extremely comfortable for me without applying too much pressure.
Nevertheless, try both and determine the best option for yourself. As for the recording, I don't find much harshness in the tone. See what works for you!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-06-12 15:00
Gosh, my Apple was refusing to play the excerpt (I don't have much luck with computers).
I would say (without hearing you) since those are all decent mouthpieces and you use decent reeds (good strength match too), you must be playing more with your face than your air. What I mean is that you are trying to create, sustain, and control the sound with your lips, teeth and jaw. I would submit that this is not a good approach at all. You need to PUSH AIR with your core, keep your airway open (think the "EEEE" sound position of tongue) and only then do you keep things under control with your embouchure (the musculature around the lips.......above, on the sides and below).
The bottom line is that it is HOW you BLOW that produces the quality of the sound. Better mouthpieces make it a little easier, bad mouthpieces make it a little worse, but it's YOU that creates the sound with your AIR !!!!!
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-06-12 15:38
http://www.vandoren.fr/en/mentonniere.html
Vandoren list 3-4 traditionals and 3.5-4 V12 and Rue 56, same range as for 5RV
just make sure that you start with fresh reed on M30; don't use one you've previously used on 5RV good luck
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2014-06-12 16:25
Paul if you can Id like you to listen to it when you get to a device that allows so. I might just be mistaking bad mic quality for bad tone quality.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2014-06-12 18:00
Paul Aviles's comments and advise are very good ...
I settled on and have played a M30-lyre for many months. It has a nice compact quality, good note-note uniformity, and a warm-roundness with a nice core. Easy to control, for me and articulates great. If you could fault the MP, I think it is the performance in the extreme high register and it seems to have a loudness limit ... can't part the conductor's eyebrows with this MP.
Believe it or not, I use Legere regular cut #3 or Quebec #3.5. Works very well for me. Lately, new Legere regular cuts seem a little "harsh" until they are broken in. Usually soak mine in warm water before playing them, to speed up the warm up time. During a 2 hour rehearsal, I often have to swap reeds, because they soften too much, even if you keep moving them up higher on the MP. Just started with the Quebec and time will tell how those do ... so far, so good ...
Playing the Legere reeds, up to a point, does seem to improve their quality. They definitely seem to have a "break in" period. I rotate about 5-6 reeds and you can use those for many months.
Nice to hear that others like the M30-lyre as well ... there are probably better choices for me, but at my age, I haven't the energy or money to explore other possibilities ...
Tom
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2014-06-13 05:27
Well if the harshness is caused by my current mouthpiece then well... Ok then. I'll admit I didn't really take care of this 5RV Lyre as it was dropped and got a small chip right next to but not on the tip rail, rails, or facing, it wasn't cleaned for half a year straight, I've tightened my Rovner ligature all the down not knowing, and I switch reeds VERY consistently... You think any of that could lead to a lower performing mouthpiece? :P
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Author: Exiawolf
Date: 2014-06-15 02:26
Would you think a Rico Reserve Classic would match well with the M30 Lyre?
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