 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Joel McAllister
Date: 2017-01-23 02:59
I don't know whether I should go for the 5JB or the 7JB... will the 7JB be too open for me to control? I'm currently using a Vandoren B45•. My plan is to use the [5/7]JB as my jazz mouthpiece and continue using the B45• for classical - would I be better going with traditional or profile 88 (my B45• is not profile 88)? In the future I would like to play both clarinet and sax... Finally, I wouldn't say I have a particularly strong jaw (I'm 15, male, been playing (predominantly classical) clarinet for ~ 5 years intermittently) - is it likely I'll be able to produce significant volume (enough to be able play over many others (inc. loud trumpets :P) in a jazz band) on a 2½ reed with the 5JB/7JB?
Many thanks!
Post Edited (2017-01-23 03:04)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2017-01-23 03:06
Quote:
inally, I wouldn't say I have a particularly strong jaw (I'm 15, male, been playing (predominantly classical) clarinet for ~ 5 years intermittently) - is it likely I'll be able to produce significant volume (enough to be able play over many others (inc. loud trumpets :P) in a jazz band) on a 2½ reed?
First, don't worry about the strong jaw. You shouldn't ever need a "strong jaw" to clamp down on a reed.
I think the 5JB will be the better choice for a 2.5 reed. Control won't be hard. Instead of thinking about a 'strong jaw', think about just keeping a good 'stable' jaw and that'll help keep the pitch from fluctuating much. It'll feel different, certainly, but just focus on being stable with your embouchure and it'll play fine.
On ANOTHER side note, just cause a mouthpiece says it's the 'jazz' one, doesn't mean you can't play jazz on any other mouthpiece. I would say that the B45 you have would be excellent for the flexibility often used in jazz. Don't know if you were focusing on the 5JB because you saw it was a "jazz" mouthpiece, but if you just want to try something more open to see what it's like, go for it.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Joel McAllister
Date: 2017-01-23 03:14
Thanks Alexi! The reason I spoke about potentially requiring a strong jaw is because many people have said you need "iron chops" to play the 5JB, and that it is harder work than say a B45. The main reason I would like to buy this mouthpiece is because of the greater flexibility and amplitude - both obviously crucial things for improvisation etc.
Many people have also commented on how loud the 5JB can *potentially* play - if you have a "strong enough" jaw. I'm just wondering if the strength (or lack thereof) of my jaw is likely to prevent me from playing with volume...
Post Edited (2017-01-23 03:19)
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2017-01-23 20:04
The players using "iron chops" probably use reeds that are too stiff for the larger tip opening and bite down with their embouchure to close off the tip some to get the note started. Some players can do this very well. But it is not a great approach for endurance.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Matt74
Date: 2017-01-23 21:29
Would these advocates of the "iron jaw" happen to be saxophonists? Some sax players make tip openings a measure of manhood. You know, like, "That Meyer 8 just didn't have the projection and flexibility I needed. I really couldn't express myself until I moved up to a Dukoff Ultra Super Power Chamber 27." Whether they were or not, bigger isn't always better. The things that really matter are:
Does it play in tune?
Do you like it?
Do you have reeds that you like that work with it?
and...
Does it cause you do bite?
You really want to avoid the habit of biting. It's bad for your tone, but the worst part is the pain and agony when you start practicing a lot.
Some people like profile 88, but guys doubled on saxophone and clarinet for 100 years before they came out, so it's a matter of preference.
A B45 should be fine, it's actually a very open piece. If you want something different, maybe less resistant, by all means try some out. There are a lot of options. A Brilhart Ebolin 3 or 4 is loud, and inexpensive. You don't really need a "jazz" mouthpiece, just one that works for you. It's very personal. The important thing is that it meets your needs, and you sound good and in tune without bursting a blood vessel. If you sound good people will ask YOU what you are playing.
- Matthew Simington
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Author: Brad Behn
Date: 2017-01-23 22:22
regarding open versus close facings:
If you feel like your mouthpiece requires too much "bite" to properly center the sound, a more comfortable solution would be to bring the mouthpiece closer to the reed. In other words, play a closer facing.
Another solution is to play a softer reed.
So which solution is better? It is a matter of personal preference. To help you decide, typically a closer facing adds stability, whereas a softer reed adds flexibility.
Brad Behn
http://www.clarinetmouthpiece.com
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Author: Joel McAllister
Date: 2017-01-29 23:13
Thank you all for your replies. I have now decided that a Claude Lakey would likely be a wiser investment, however I cannot decide which tip opening to choose... any suggestions?
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Author: Chris_C ★2017
Date: 2017-01-29 23:27
I knew a semi-pro player who used a 5JB in his dance band trio before the invention of amplifiers... He used a 1.5 reed and his volume was HUGE.... as was needed for 3000 people in a dance hall.
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Author: lursias
Date: 2017-11-26 01:31
Related to the topic, I got a question about this mouthpieces. Could I use them with a Legere Signature European Cut. I'm thinking on buying some of this synthtic reeds to use with my B45 but I don't know if I could use them with these "jazzy" mouthpieces. Apart from that, do you recommend a traditional or profile 88 beak on a 5JB/7JB?
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Author: Wes
Date: 2017-11-26 08:22
Some of us never change mouthpieces on the clarinet as both classical and jazz engagements need both loud and soft playing. A good mouthpiece should allow both. We don't concern ourselves very much about jaw strength.
In regard to open mouthpieces, I played with a tenor saxophonist named Joshua Jackson a long time ago. He played on an Otto Link mouthpiece with a 0.180 inch opening, on which he could play very very loud and very soft. He sold me a double ring Link mouthpiece because it was too closed for him.
Good luck!
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Author: Arydigital
Date: 2017-11-28 14:35
The reason I spoke about potentially requiring a strong jaw is because many people have said you need "iron chops" to play the 5JB, and that it is harder work than say a B45. The main Badnaam reason I would like to buy this mouthpiece is because of the greater flexibility and amplitude - both obviously crucial things for improvisation etc.
Arydigital
Post Edited (2017-11-29 09:51)
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Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2017-12-06 05:42
If it's 'hard work' then you need to get a softer reed, but then you run into the issue of intonation stability. A soft reed on a large tip opening does give you a great deal of pitch flexibility...that's the good news. The bad news is that the same setup has a lot of pitch instability unless you have great embouchre control. I agree with others that the 'loudness' vector is overplayed with respect to tip opening...it is more a function of chamber design and player experience.
Jazz and rock players have a tendency towards larger tips because the music lends itself to scoops, glisses, and other effects that are enabled with this type of setup. More of my experience with this is on saxophone, but have found a similar effect on clarinet.
Then there is the mythology of this or that player that uses a 4.5 reed on a 1.6mm tipped clarinet mouthpiece. I wonder how long the facing is?...that is never included in the discussion, but I'll bet they are well over 20mm.
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