 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Filettofish
Date: 2014-10-18 23:29
Hello all. After moving up a strength in reed, from a Vandoren 3.5 to 4, I've had increased airiness and slight difficultly playing. My thought is that my reed too hard for my Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, which I've been using for the last couple of years. I've been using the same reed strength with a 5RV Lyre on my soprano clarinets, so if you could suggest something that performs equally well for bass clarinet, I'd be looking into it. Thank you!
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-10-19 00:14
Bass Clarinet reed strength does not correlate with sporano reed strength. Reed strength does not correlate with player karma. And bass embouchure is not quite what soprano embouchure is.
A #3 on your 4C should be adequate. Better yet, get a decent mouthpiece, even (price wise) a Fobes Debut would be a huge improvement.
--
Ben
Post Edited (2014-10-19 00:14)
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Author: ErezK
Date: 2014-10-19 00:23
What made you "move up" from 3 to 3.5?
I don't see a 1-to-1 correlation between Bass and Soprano reed strengths , there are too many variables.
I have the 4C (came with my bcl) and it is rather closed tip. Meaning reeds feel "softer" on it than on any other mouthpiece I ever tried. I don't think it is a very good mouthpiece to be honest but if it works for you then why not.
FWIW, I have the Pomarico (non Jazz) which is very good and I recently picked up a Selmer C** which I like a lot.
Both have a bigger tip opening, so a #3 reed on the Selmer or Pomarico feels, to me, like a #2 reed on the 4C. Meaning if a #4 reed on the 4C is too hard for you, you will need a softer reed on the above mentioned mouthpieces.
There is no alternative to trying mouthpieces yourself, if your local store has anything in stock that would be ideal, if not - you can get a trial from the big online stores like wwbw. When you do try, get also some reeds in different strengths.
Post Edited (2014-10-19 00:26)
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2014-10-19 01:51
Bass clarinet needs a slightly more relaxed and rounded embouchure than soprano and generally works better with a slightly softer set up compared to the soprano.
A VD 4 reed would be rather strong even on a soprano 4C mouthpiece so assuming the relationship of 4C bass is similar to soprano then a 4 reed would be way too strong. I would think a 3 max would be needed.
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Author: Filettofish
Date: 2014-10-19 02:33
As you may tell, I'm not yet an expert in bass clarinet reed strength. I am well aware the embouchure is different, and have noticed that in my experience playing both instruments. Either way, I am still looking for a better mouthpiece, as I am still unhappy with the 4C. I have also been using Med-Hard Rico La Voz reeds for some time, and while they do seem to match the mouthpiece better, I would prefer a higher quality hard rubber mouthpiece.
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Author: alanporter
Date: 2014-10-19 02:48
I use a George Bundy No 3 hard rubber mouthpiece, relatively cheap and much better than the 4C Yamaha. When shopping for mouthpieces take the crook from your Bcl with you to make sure the piece fits the tenon socket. I bought a Fobes Debut and the tenon was a whole millimeter narrower than my socket. causing it to wobble.
tiaroa@shaw.ca
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Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2014-10-19 03:29
Filettofish,
Needing to replace my Pomarico BC mouthpiece when it broke after a fall in the sink, I contacted Dave Spiegelthal who sold me a used mouthpiece he had reworked thoroughly. It works great, better than my old mouthpiece. I play a Yamaha BC 221 in a symphonic band.
Mike Blinn
Post Edited (2014-10-20 18:07)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2014-10-19 11:39
I have a Fobes Debut, a Fobes Nova and an older-than-dirt Bundy Signature, on Rico Grand Concert Selects #3. Either plays fine on my Jupiter and the Uebel Emperior.
(I also have a 4C for every instrument type which I use as a "Reference" piece when testing repaired instruments)
--
Ben
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-10-19 17:15
Mouthpiece and reed strength and brands are so individual based on your physical make up and the tone and comfort level you're looking for. You just have to experiment with some different brands and facing. In my teaching and playing career I've had a lot of success with the Selmer C# bass mouthpieces but, as with all MP, they are inconsistent so one may be great and another not so much. But there are many other good ones on the market too. At least the Selmer is accessible so you can usually get 3-4 of them to try to pick the best from the mail order stores. I've used on myself all my life, the my most recent, only the 2nd in my 51 year career, was "voiced" by Dave McClune.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: William
Date: 2014-10-20 18:54
I also use a Selmer C* bass clar mpc with a #3 Legere and always get great comments regarding my sound. My C* was "voiced" by Walter Grabner, which he calls his CX_BS model (now discontinued and replaced by his Laurie Bloom model fashioned from a Zinner blank).
My bass is a Buffet Prestiege low C, fwiw.
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