 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Henry boy
Date: 2001-06-25 06:29
I've recently bought myself a closer facing mouthpiece. I bought myself one mouthpiece - took a Vandoren M13(Lyre) and an M14 and have to return one at the end of the week once I've chosen which one I prefer. I used to play a b45.
I love them both!
So my question: What should I keep in mind when playing on a close facing? What will the difference (if any) in the way I need to position my embouchure?
Thankyou.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-06-25 14:54
HB: The adjustment you will need to make is more reed-related than the position of your embouchure. Closer facings require stonger reeds (higher numbers) and I think that your embouchure will naturally adjust if you keep the "sound concept" in your mind focused and project it through your clarinet. Your new set-up should not necessarily "blow" harder, and may be slightly less "flexable" than with the more open facing of your old B-45. If you feel that you are straining too much to produce the sound, then your need reed stregth is probably TOO hard. For the M-13 Lyre, start with a box of VD-12s, 4.0, and, if necessary, go up or down from there. Good luck and Good Clarineting!!!!!!!!
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Author: Stefano
Date: 2001-06-25 14:57
Maybe you have already done so, but as a first thing tyou should consider that with a closer facing mouthpiece -Vandoren M13(Lyre) and an M14- you should use stronger reeds than the one you have been using with the B45 (which is a more open mouthpiece).
Otherwise, although easier to play, your sound may be too "thin" and "reedier".
Personally, I like to play a more open mouthpiece, which gives me much more flexibility in sound, and a darker tone (even if it took me a year to build the necessary muscles in the embouchure!!).
You should search for your own set-up, but I would suggest to follow the manufacturer's guidance first, and start trying the M13Lyre and M14 with reeds strenght around #4.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-06-25 18:29
Henry -
Close facings are pickier about reeds than more open ones. You need to balance your reeds quite a bit more carefully, and the graduation of the vamp from heel to tip has to be more precise. In return, I think you get more color and energy in the sound with a close facing than you do with an open one, though less volume. It's always a trade-off between the two. Personally, I've found that very close mouthpieces have more resistance than I like, so I go with a facing that's medium or slightly more open than medium. In Vandoren terms, a B45 is more open than I like and an M13 or M14 is more closed. The mouthpiece I play is probably closest to a 5RV or 5RV Lyre.
Best regards.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2001-06-25 19:01
William -
Have you tried the Vandoren M15?
It is a fairly closed mouthpiece with a long facing but feels quite open. It is really colourful, resonant and surprisingly "loud" for a close opening.
I have tried quite a few and really liked them so I bought one which became my primary mouthpiece.
I used to play a B45 and had to adapt to this much closer opening and longer facing.
The overall embouchure adaptation period was fast. However I always found close opening less forgiving with articulation problems and I had to be more precise with positioning my tongue on the reed to obtain a good staccato.
You will also most likely face a few intonation problems as the 13 series mouthpieces usually are tuned lower than the old B45, nothing to really worry about though.
Best of luck and if you have a chance, do try the M15, you might like it!
-S
PS to Ken: Did you try the M15 and did you find it resistant? I'm just curious...
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