Author: Musikat
Date: 2017-04-28 07:23
For as long as I have been an adult (if not before, in high school or at Interlochen music camp), I have played on a Vandoren V12 4 reed. I've tried many others but always come back to that. I am not a professional by any means, but always end up in the top section of community and college/community bands I play in. I frequently get compliments on my tone. However, I do feel I work very hard at playing and I long for that ease of playing where it just feels effortless. I also haven't been satisfied with my altissimo, which always feels forced and and a little strained and shrill. I have been working on not biting, which I probably do, but I don't think it is extreme; opening the throat, using more air, etc. and nothing worked.
So I am trying out some new mouthpieces, and have received my first two trials from Gregory Smith, who says he optimizes his mouthpieces for 3.5 strength reeds. At his suggestion I bought a box of 3.5's as well as a new box of 4's, both V12. (Next I will be trying Walter Grabner's in person in Illinois).
I definitely notice an improvement in my altissimo (and tuning, which is a plus) with the Smith mouthpieces (my preference is the 1+ over the 1++ and he is sending me one more model to try). A family member who frequently complains about my shrill high notes commented unsolicited on the nicer sound as well, so it isn't just me. But the 3.5's sound horrible. They are like playing a kazoo, tonguing is thuddy and high notes are flat and not centered. I have tried loosening my embouchure, but can't find that nice tone I get with the 4's on this mouthpiece, as well as my old one. I only got the mouthpieces yesterday, so I haven't had a chance to try them in band yet to check how hard or easy they feel in that setting with my 4's, but my question is, is there a way (and is it even worth it) to try to somehow learn to make a good tone on 3.5's to work less hard, or is my particularly mouth/setup just "set" to 4's? I do like the easy response of 3.5's but that is about all!
By the way I do fix many of my 4's. Typically I get 2-3 out of a box that need little if no adjustment and the rest are hit or miss. If I am lucky I can get 4-5 really good ones with maybe 2 ideal for concerts out of box, and all but 2-3 of the rest are playable with help and for practicing.
The rest of my setup is an R13, Wesley Rice barrel and Rovner dark ligature.
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The Clarinet BBoard
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