 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BCat
Date: 2024-03-27 14:47
Hi everyone,
I have a student with an unusual medical condition that pushes air into a lymph node in his neck when he plays.
I've worked on lighter reed set up and removing all tension in the throat area but am looking for suggestions on low resistance mouthpieces that may help him continue playing.
Thanks
Brian
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2024-03-27 16:36
You will probably need to get a customized facing to get the lowest resistance possible. Small tip opening, long facing, radial curve shape. But it may only play in the lower register with a soft reed.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-03-27 17:40
You can use German mouthpieces on Boehm clarinets. There is very little adjustment for pitch needed. With the "traditional" set up of the LONG facing and SMALL tip opening used with a strength 2 1/2 reed you get a very pure, dynamic sound with little (if any by US standards) resistance.
I have had wonderful results with the Gleichweit D4 paired with Vandoren White Master German Bb clarinet/Traditional cut (available at Frederic Weiner , OR a Gleichweit D4-2 with Legere Bb Classic (also Weiner) if you prefer synthetic. The Gleichweit mouthpieces also come in fun colors.....if you like that sort of thing (I have both the clear green and clear orange versions!).
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2024-03-27 23:13
Paul, about 10 years ago, you gave quite a positive review of the ESM MCK1 Heaven blue clarinet mouthpiece which has specs of 1.03/38. Would you say that this particular ESM mouthpiece is very close to the low resistance characteristics of the German models you mentioned above?
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2024-03-27 23:14
I would second Paul's suggestion, about a German mouthpiece.
Since your pupil is already used to softer reeds, it will probably ease such a transition. Still, coming from a more or less firm Boehm-type embouchure to a looser German-type, may at least initially make the mouthpiece feel quite wobbly and "insecure" in the mouth - until he gets used. Thus you could prepare him for that, and also make sure he doesn't go for any stronger reeds in a strive for a more familiar, Boehm-like "grip" - which would be counterproductive.
Supposing a German mouthpiece on a Boehm clarinet works similarly as on a German clarinet, it will require a lot more air - which you could also prepare him for. So, less air pressure but a bigger "amount" of air. Both of you being aware of this will help your pupil adjust his blowing accordingly.
Post Edited (2024-03-27 23:16)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-03-28 00:20
Dan Shusta,
NO!!!!
There is no comparison that can be drawn between the German and Boehm mouthpieces. Well at least as far as the "traditional" approach using soft reeds is concerned. German players have begun to experiment with Boehm reeds and much harder set ups that may make them closer, but the basic acoustic/architectural configuration of the German mouthpiece is unique.
Micke,
I can't say that I have had the experience of the need for more air. Everything seems much "easier" by comparison. However I admit not having been schooled in the Germanic approach by any player who knows it........so I may be missing something. I would hasten to add that the sound I get is only slightly moderated in volume when on German mouthpieces.
Oh, and I'd add that with Legere's I finally wound up on strength #3.00......still much less physical than anything Boehm.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2024-03-28 01:58
Paul, I myself wasn't really aware of the need for more air on a German mouthpiece v.s. a Boehm one - until in response to another thread earlier this year I tested two German mouthpieces (the Wurlitzer M4 and Viotto N1+2) and one Boehm mouthpiece (the Behn Overture) in a row.
Another poster on that thread, from Germany, had written "let the air do the job" - concerning the typical German approach. That was exactly what hit me when I played those mouthpieces immediately after each other.
Don't know however if a clarinet with a Boehm bore could be somewhat different compared to a German or Reform Boehm bore in this regard (I played all those mouthpieces on the same clarinet, with a RB bore).
Anyway, after this personal experience I would recommend anyone making a transition from Boehm to traditional German mouthpieces to be prepared for two major changes: 1) A very loose embouchure coupled with very soft reeds, and 2) blowing a lot more air than used to.
Edit: Just adding that I didn't perceive any need of more air on the Viotto mouthpiece, only on the more "traditionally German" Wurlitzer one. Also the specs of the Viotto are a lot closer to Boehm pieces (tip opening and facing length), than to the Wurlitzer.
Post Edited (2024-03-28 02:16)
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Author: BCat
Date: 2024-03-28 10:35
Thanks for the suggestions. The German mouthpiece idea is intriguing and I hope I can source some here in Australia without too much difficulty.
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2024-03-28 11:35
BCat, just in case you don't already know, but the tenon sizes are different on German/Boehm mouthpieces. For a German mouthpiece to fit a Boehm barrel socket, you probably need to make a custom order (at least companies as Gleichweit and Maxton are providing such). An exception are the Vandoren German mouthpieces (the D15, 20 and 25 models), where the tenon cork itself should be thick and flexible enough to fit both German and Boehm barrels.
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Author: BCat
Date: 2024-03-28 14:10
Thanks Micke, I wasn't aware of the different tenon sizes.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-03-28 15:59
Actually Micke and BCat, the issue of the mouthpiece tenon being too large for the barrel socket IS NOT an issue for the Gleichweit. Gleichweit makes their tenon smaller and has various sizes available for the o-rings that take the place of cork on their mouthpieces. I use the "white" size (2.0mm thickness). I'd order extra sets of those with some black in there. You can add a "black" (2.1mm) as the bottom o-ring for really firm stability if you need it.
The mouthpiece tenon is still slightly long though. This does not add much to the tuning adjustment at all. But you can very easily file this down if you prefer to have the mouthpiece sit perfectly flush.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2024-03-28 16:56
You may need a shorter barrel too. Playing with a soft reed and (most likely) a loose embouchure from a medical condition will probably sound flat.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-03-28 20:30
I would say that is not accurate. Global pitch is fine. I was using Legere reeds which do have their issue with a lower pitch output, however, comparing the German vs Boehm mouthpieces on a Boehm clarinet did NOT yield a pitch disparity.
It may be worth noting that what I referred to above is that the overall length of the German mouthpiece beak......is longer. So even though the volume of the bore/tone chamber is smaller, the added length makes the altissimo notes just slightly lower. It is a very small adjustment and in fact this helps where many of us have a "sharp" problem with these notes. I found that once adapted, the intonation was incredibly constant throughout the horn (and again, that's on a Boehm clarinet).
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2024-03-29 16:30
I was commenting more on the embouchure than the equipment.
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2024-03-29 19:06
But that's the WHOLE point. The embouchure for a traditionally set up German mouthpiece is loose (some support of course but quite loose by US standards) and this in no way causes the pitch to falter.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: Mojo
Date: 2024-03-30 16:50
OK, I never played on one. Do they use very soft reeds?
MojoMP.com
Mojo Mouthpiece Work LLC
MojoMouthpieceWork@yahoo.com
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2024-03-30 17:32
Mojo, as Paul wrote above, a typical strength recommendation for a traditional German mouthpiece is a White Master 2.5 - e.g. to a Wurlitzer M4, with tip opening 0.88mm/curve length 24.7mm. Though the strength of a WM 2.5 is roughly comparable to a Blue box 3.0, such specs makes such a reed feel very soft - that is, for a typical Boehm player.
Post Edited (2024-03-31 00:55)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2024-03-30 22:01
Rather than go with something stock, I would be inclined to contact one of the many great mouthpiece craftsmen out there and explain the situation. See if they can dial in a mouthpiece to your needs. It should give you the option to tweak it as needed.
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Author: moma4faith
Date: 2024-04-11 06:36
The least-resistance mp that I use is the Hite Premier, with a mouthpiece pad for the upper teeth. It isn't expensive, so trying one won't break the bank. My young students tend to do well with this one, and it can raise a pitch a little, for example, from a Fobes Debut, which is another student mp I work with.
Good old Bonade ligature, or the standard lig, and an easy reed.
Here's some specs on the Hite:
"The Premier Bb clarinet mouthpiece features a precisely machined .043" tip opening and carefully finished facing that make it easy to produce a clear, projecting tone across all registers of the clarinet. This tip opening and medium facing make this mouthpiece ideal for beginners."
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Author: m1964
Date: 2024-04-12 03:25
BCat wrote:
"...I have a student with an unusual medical condition that pushes air into a lymph node in his neck when he plays.
I've worked on lighter reed set up and removing all tension in the throat area but am looking for suggestions on low resistance mouthpieces that may help him continue playing."
Before trying any MPs/set-ups, I'd contact student's physician and get a clearance for the student to continue playing. They'd to need to consider possible long-term effects from playing a resistive instrument like clarinet
Also, the student may consider switching to a different instrument, like flute.
Since his medical condition is unusual, there may not be a straight forward answer to your question.
Post Edited (2024-04-12 08:55)
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