 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: James S
Date: 2014-08-14 05:29
Hey guys!
So I need a new mouthpiece... I've been playing on a Reserve X0 and I absolutely love it. However, the Reserve tunes high (441) and I voice high. This would not normally be a problem, but I need to play-test my business' inventory with their stock barrels at 440. In short, I need a mouthpiece very similar to the X0 that tunes at 440 and does not push up. I'm leaning to something hand-made. Any ideas? I'm all about clarity, flexibility and a massive dynamic range
James
Owner, James' Clarinet Shop
www.t.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-08-14 07:02
For the ultimate in even response and clarity the answer is a Greg Smith. His mouthpieces also tune lower.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: as9934
Date: 2014-08-14 20:34
Any of the Vandoren 13 series mouthpieces tune to 440. You could also get a longer barrel to compensate for your minisculy sharp mouthpiece. Knonestly I don't really think you have to do anything. Being one cent sharp really doesn't matter.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wind Ensemble
Buffet E11 clarinet , Vandoren Masters CL6 13 series mouthpiece w/ Pewter M/O Ligature, Vandoren V12 3.5
Yamaha 200ad clarinet, Vandoren B45 mouthpiece, Rovner ligature
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Author: JuanMorales
Date: 2014-08-14 20:54
Okay so a great mouthpiece that has been in the market for not the long and i strongly suggest any of the vandoren master mouthpieces. Any of the 3 mouthpieces such as the cl4, cl5, or cl6 are great. i greatly love the cl4 it is great and is just perfectly in tune and it also has a warm soothing tone.
Post Edited (2014-08-14 21:04)
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Author: Carmelo
Date: 2014-08-15 21:19
You are asking for a handmade piece, then yes as Mr. Aviles stated above the Greg Smith mothpieces are really made amazingly well. Very even in scale, comfortable to play on and tuned to A440. In addition he is really nice to work with.
Regards,
Carmelo
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Author: Christopher Bush
Date: 2014-08-15 22:13
Hello as994,
I want to encourage you to study the difference between cents and frequency. Although 1 cent may not be noticeable in most cases, that's because it is 1/100 of the difference between the frequencies of two pitches a half step apart. A cent in a low register A to A# would be equal to fewer Hz than a cent between A and A# even an octave above. A440 and A441 are 1 Hz apart, but several cents apart (nearly 4 cents, I think).
That being said, the difference between tuning A440 and A441 is significant and can definitely be heard by other musicians and audiences. In fact, many clarinetists who play in different areas of the world bring different equipment (often different barrels or mouthpieces) depending on the tuning tendencies of the country. Playing in tune can be difficult and sometimes subjective, but it's hardly ever something that we shouldn't be working to improve (even 1 cent!).
Hi James_S,
I would encourage you to be in contact with Ramon Wodkowski, who is both an excellent mouthpiece maker and refacer. He also tends to have a large number of vintage mouthpieces on hand. Perhaps he could make one very similar to your current mouthpiece with the tuning tendencies you request. He's always been very able and flexible with my requests (not to mention exceedingly patient!).
Christopher Bush
Prof. of Clarinet - NYU
Princ. Clarinet - Glens Falls Symphony, Metro Chamber Orchestra
Director - NYU Composers Ensemble
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Author: as9934
Date: 2014-08-16 07:46
Christopher Bush wrote:
> Hello as994,
>
> I want to encourage you to study the difference between cents
> and frequency. Although 1 cent may not be noticeable in most
> cases, that's because it is 1/100 of the difference between the
> frequencies of two pitches a half step apart. A cent in a low
> register A to A# would be equal to fewer Hz than a cent between
> A and A# even an octave above. A440 and A441 are 1 Hz apart,
> but several cents apart (nearly 4 cents, I think).
>
> That being said, the difference between tuning A440 and A441 is
> significant and can definitely be heard by other musicians and
> audiences. In fact, many clarinetists who play in different
> areas of the world bring different equipment (often different
> barrels or mouthpieces) depending on the tuning tendencies of
> the country. Playing in tune can be difficult and sometimes
> subjective, but it's hardly ever something that we shouldn't be
> working to improve (even 1 cent!).
Did not know this. Learn something new every day! Thanks for educating me! If you dont want to go the custom route (greg smith etc.) then I would recommend a Vandoren Masters CL4 13 series. Should match your current facing fairly well.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill Wind Ensemble
Buffet E11 clarinet , Vandoren Masters CL6 13 series mouthpiece w/ Pewter M/O Ligature, Vandoren V12 3.5
Yamaha 200ad clarinet, Vandoren B45 mouthpiece, Rovner ligature
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-08-16 14:45
Yes the CL4 13 Series is a good choice here as well. I am not familiar with how the lower version of this mouthpiece tunes, but the 13 Series are indeed lower pitch.
..........Paul Aviles
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Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2014-08-16 17:34
I suggest three options:
1. Get a longer barrel. This will create the flexibility to go up or down depending on ensemble tuning tendencies, temperature, and reed strength
2. Voicing. There are two general types of voicing - the vowel one blows (EE, AA, Oh, Oo, etc.) or how tight one grips with the mouth. EE vowel is considered high voicing and this is in part what creates a good air stream for a centered and consistent sound throughout. The other type of voicing is how the reed's strength is managed by embouchure pressure. Harder reeds require more embouchure pressure, and this in turn creates higher pitch.
3. Alter the mouthpiece. By increasing the bore's volume one can lower pitch without changing the basic response of the mouthpiece. However by reaming, some playing experiences do change - sonority broadens, (pitch lowers), air resistance is reduced, and tonal concentration or hold is reduced.
I would suggest options 1 and 2 prior to the more drastic measure of altering a mouthpiece. And please also know that it is summer now and room temperatures tend to be higher this season, so please check your temperature and evaluate pitch with ambient temperature carefully considered.
If you decide to ream the bore to lower pitch it is important that it be done by a mouthpiece craftsman, as a proper custom reamer is very important in maintaining tuning ratios. The wrong bore shape will kill the mouthpiece. I personally use a custom made set of three reamers, each with a separate schedule of polycylindrics - meaning they offer carefully plotted series of cone, and cylindrical portions to properly "voice" the playing experience. These reamers are necessary in my craft as a mouthpiece maker and I use them on a daily basis. I had them made special for my mouthpieces by my tool maker. There is no reamer off the shelf I would recommend.
Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com
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