 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: joseph o'kelly
Date: 2001-04-23 23:56
Speaking of Eb clarinets I was wondering what set-ups other clarinetists use on their Eb clarinet. I have been trying out different setups to get the darkest sound out of mine to try to match my Bb sound, (quite frankly I am not a big fan of the Eb clarinet sound) The reason I double on it in my school band is I don't want to leave such a high pitched instrument in the hands of the clarinet players that go to my school.
I currently use a Buffet C crown mouthpiece (didn't care much for the Vandorean) and use a ligature of my own design that darkens the sound. (It cuts down on vibrance but considering its the Eb clarinet I don't care much.) I use a Bb clarinet reed. I came up with this combination myself. I play in tune and am pretty much pleased with the results. I heard that many pro players use Bb reeds on their Eb instruments. Many people (my band director included) say that I should use Eb reeds. I don't care for them as they are too bright.
Any comments on Eb reeds vs. Bb reeds?
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2001-04-24 00:10
I've always used Bb reeds on Eb. I don't own an Eb (I do have an Eb mouthiece). I just play test them. It is easier for me to use a Bb reed. I don't know what the Eefer pro's do, but I think it's okay.
John
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Author: William
Date: 2001-04-24 00:14
Use Bb's, the sound is better. It's best, also, if you have a mouthpeice that is designed for Bb reeds. I'm told that Charles Bay Eb mps are designed for Bb reeds. My mp is an old Selmer HS** which accepts either Eb or Bb. My lig is a Bb BG. Would be interesting to try your "homemade" lig. Good clarineting!!!!!!!!!
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Author: William
Date: 2001-04-24 00:14
Use Bb's, the sound is better. It's best, also, if you have a mouthpeice that is designed for Bb reeds. I'm told that Charles Bay Eb mps are designed for Bb reeds. My mp is an old Selmer HS** which accepts either Eb or Bb. My lig is a Bb BG. Would be interesting to try your "homemade" lig. Good clarineting!!!!!!!!!
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Author: Corey
Date: 2001-04-24 00:47
I have a question- what is the point of playing an eefer if u want it to sound just like a Bb clarinet? that would be kinda useless don't ya think?isn't an eefer supposed to sound bright than the Bb?
Corey
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Author: Ed
Date: 2001-04-24 00:49
You could use the Vandoren White Master German reeds. They are a bit narrower so they fit the mouthpiece just fine if you cut a little off the butt.
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Author: Jodi
Date: 2001-04-24 02:05
I just use the Eb reeds, a little stronger and I sound fine throughout most of the instrument.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-04-24 02:17
I tried Bb reeds and did not like the response. It was tubby and the sound was muddy. So I use Vandoren Eb reeds on a Vandoren 5RV mouthpiece. The sound is very nice. However I agree that one should not try to make an Eb sound like a Bb. Due its greater responsiveness, it is really its own unique instrument. You wouldn't try to make a bass sound like a soprano would you?
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Author: Aaron
Date: 2001-04-24 04:39
I primarily used Eb reeds in the beginning, however just didn't find many in a box and they were usually pieces of junk.Then i went to a Bb reed and I agree with Dee about not liking the response, but the sound was better. However I have switched to using Vandoren Black master reeds....they, just like the White master couterpart) are narrower and fit the Eb mouthpiece perfectly, and give a darker tone(they are a thick blank) and have good response.
I can't speak for the white master reeds myself, but am planning to try them on the Eb as soon as I get time to experiment.
Aaron
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Author: Gavin
Date: 2001-04-24 09:26
I understand it is common practice to use Bb reeds, but cut off to make them shorter. I read somewhere of someone using garden shears to do this. (Sounds somewhat painful to me). Has anyone tried blowing your Bb with an Eb reed? Believe it or not, it works.
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Author: Blake
Date: 2001-04-24 16:40
I use #4 vandoren Eb reeds, and vandoren B44 mouthpiece although i do have one from clark fobes on order to try out since other Effer players I know like them. I have a Buffet R-13 RC about 2 years old. Ive used Bb reeds in a pinch but find they arent as responsive <ie i can tongue much faster on the slightly thinner Eb reed> I dont find the Eb reed from vandoren any more inconsistent than the Bb's Trying to make your Eb sound like your Bb is a hopeless cause and does the instrument a disservice. Ive always worked on intonation in the altissimo, light tonguing and working on support to keep it quiet but supported in the upper register.
Blake
Arlington, VA
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Author: eilidh
Date: 2001-04-24 21:11
Like Dee, i use eflat vandoren reeds with a vandoren 5rv mouthpiece. However my teacher who was for many years a professional orchestral player uses trimmed blfat reeds and says he prefers them to eflat reeds
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Author: bob
Date: 2001-04-24 23:18
wouldn't the vamp on a Bb reed be too long for the Eb mouthpiece?
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Author: Daniel
Date: 2001-04-25 03:44
When i was playing my Greg Smith mouthpiece, i had to use Bb reeds. But with my Kaspar, Bb reeds are too big. So i use Eb reeds or black/white masters. in a box of 10 Eb reeds, i can usually get 8 or 9 to work without doing anything to them. Just have to experiment with placement of the reed.
I also have to agree with Corey. The Eb shouldn't sound like a higher Bb. It should sound like an Eb. If they just wanted it for the notes, they would have written high altissimo notes for the Bb's.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-12-11 03:00
Hi,
I have begun to play eefer quite a bit and am enjoying the challenge. My little beast is a Penzel Mueller Artist that is quite even in pitch throughout the entire register (but your ears have to be on!!!). My MP is a Selmer C** and I use a VD ligature.
While I have had success with VD and Rico Royal eefer reeds, a little experimentation with some of my beefer reeds has proven interesting. The tone is much better and response above C a lot better. I have cut the length down a little but have done nothing more to the vamp. In an earlier post, John Moses talked about possible pitch problems but I am still pretty solid in that department.
I have been looking at the old posts on using Bb reeds on eefers and I wonder if there is any new intelligence that might be helpful to me. The C** does not seem to be too narrow to accomadate the Bb reeds. Does anyone have any new notions to share?
HRL
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Author: graham
Date: 2004-12-13 08:10
I have only been doing anything at all serious on the E flat in the last year or so. I ttried both E flat reeds (Vandoren and Vintage) and cut down B flats (Zonda and Queen), and would now always want to play on the B flat reeds. The sound is fuller, particularly in the extreme upper register.
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Author: si bemol
Date: 2004-12-20 01:17
Years ago I had Bill Brannen turn down my barrel on his lathe so I could use Bb reeds without having to cut them short. It's much easier to find good Bb reeds, and I'm much better at adjusting reeds on the Bb. With the barrel turned down I don't have to sacrifice any reeds for the Eb. This way, if I have a good reed for the Bb I always have one for the Eb as well.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2004-12-20 01:31
Graham and SB,
Thanks for the information. I think I will actively pursue the Bb reed use on the eefer. All your ideas sound pretty solid (except I don't think I want to turn down the two eefer barrels that came with the little beast as they are original and very nice).
HRL
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