 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: wkleung
Date: 2017-05-01 08:55
Just curious: has anyone used more than one mouthpiece on a recital? After all, Lutolawski should sound rather different from Brahms, and different mouthpieces may bring out the differences more readily. Is that a no-no?
Post Edited (2017-05-01 08:57)
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2017-05-01 20:51
If it serves the music no no-no is forbidden, said by myself who has changed reeds and/or mouthpieces during orchestra performances. I am interested to hear what others have to say, though.
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-05-01 21:23
I'm interested in what others say too. I know I never have...actually have never considered it. Seems like it could be a brilliant move.
Intuitively, if you've been practicing the pieces using different equipment, then why not. Seems strange to not perform like you've been practicing. You'll certain feel more comfortable with the performance.
The question is...will the audience notice the difference?
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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Author: RKing
Date: 2017-05-01 22:22
Julian Bream used to play half his show on the lute and the second half on the guitar. Charley Bird used different guitars for different pieces. I studied under Charley and saw Julian many times during my college days and the audience never had any problems with these tactics.
If you announced it ahead of time in the music program, I don't think it would be a problem. It would simply be like playing one piece on a Bb clarinet and another on an Eb, etc. I suggest you practice making the switch a few times, so it looks smooth.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-05-01 22:30
ClarinetRobt wrote:
> Intuitively, if you've been practicing the pieces using
> different equipment, then why not. Seems strange to not
> perform like you've been practicing.
So the question then is, why are you playing different pieces on different equipment, in practice or in performance? I think, like John, that there are very few "no-nos" in music and none that I can think of involve equipment. But there is inherent inconvenience involved and I would think you wouldn't do it whimsically.
Is there a specific situation you're trying to deal with?
> The question is...will the audience notice the difference?
>
There will definitely be audience members who won't know the difference or care. And others who will be happy to share their opinion of the switch with you after the concert is over. I don't think that makes any difference in whether or not you change mouthpieces. The important thing is whether or not it makes a positive difference in your performance. If there's a reason, go ahead and do it.
Karl
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2017-05-01 23:13
Agree there is no "no-no"
However most players select a setup that provides them with the ability and flexibility to play a wide range of genres.
Changing horses mid-stream can introduce some risks so I would need a very good rationale before I would do it myself.
However if something like Rhapsody in Blue was on the program I could see an argument for using more specialised equipment for that piece.
I can't myself see any particular reason why you would involve the audience in the discussion if you decided to change the mouthpiece or reed.
Just do it as unobtrusively as possible.
I understand that sometimes bassoonists use different reeds for different pieces in a performance but have never seen that lead to a discussion with the audience.
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Author: Ursa
Date: 2017-05-02 00:30
I think you're overthinking this. Nobody bats an eye when a brasswind player switches up mouthpieces/mutes or empties out a water key during a performance...or when a percussionist walks halfway across the back of the stage in the middle of a piece to change equipment.
Just comport yourself as a professional.
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2017-05-02 01:24
Quote:
I don't think that makes any difference in whether or not you change mouthpieces. The important thing is whether or not it makes a positive difference in your performance. If there's a reason, go ahead and do it. I would just add that tre performance DOES have a visual and smoothness component. It's not ALL about the music from an audience perspective. So if you do change mouthpiece between songs or during songs, practice so it won't take long, or be intrusive, or otherwise detract from your performance.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-05-02 02:17
If wkleung was doing a recital showing off different timbers of clarinet sound, for example, then swapping out equipment seems reasonable. (It'd be no big deal to swap mouthpieces between selections.)
If I was playing Spohr vs Poulenc, perhaps changing mouthpieces would help yield a different quality to represent the regional sound. With all that said, we all end up sounding like we sound. At the end of the day, if might not make much of a difference.
Still makes for an interesting discussion.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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Author: Burt
Date: 2017-05-02 07:40
When I was to perform "Immer Kleiner", I could not reach the pitch required with just the mouthpiece. So I took an old mouthpiece and cut off part of the tenon to raise the pitch. There was enough time to switch during the piece.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2017-05-02 22:56
I carry a couple of the same model and facing, say two M13s ... both are a little different. I might use the one at the time that seems to work with my reeds that day and in the acoustical space ... So my reeds may dictate choice of MP ... you get more playable reeds that way, I think ...
Tom
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Author: Wes
Date: 2017-05-04 08:15
Interesting! I always carry a spare mouthpiece in my Bb clarinet case, but only for a potential emergency, such as damage to my main mouthpiece. Good Luck!
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Author: MisterB
Date: 2017-05-04 18:35
I used to do that with an alto and tenor. It sounded just as bad as when Coffin does it. Years ago I went to see Rahsaan Roland Kirk. I had to leave early because I could no longer hold in my laughter. It was more of a carnival show than a musical performance but the others in club were really serious about what he was doing. At least I thought so. A few days later I ran into a friend who was there also. He too left early for the same reason. I say one horn at a time. It's much more entertaining.
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Author: MisterB
Date: 2017-05-04 19:03
Good idea. I do as well. My Portnoy is nearly 40 years old. It looks like hell but still plays well.
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