 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Kirk
Date: 2001-09-25 23:59
What does that mean with respect to mpc's and how do I tell which I have ? I am using the original mpc and lig that came with my horn and using Vandy #2's. I have 6 months playing time and wonder which is best.
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-09-26 00:19
What kind of clarinet do you have? Most clarinets come with a really awful mouthpiece (particularly Buffets). I believe that the included Yamaha mouthpiece is a little more playable. But most "stock" mouthpieces are nothing you want to hang on to for a long time.
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Author: Anji
Date: 2001-09-26 01:23
Hiya Kirk!
You have found the essential part of playing your instrument comfortably.
'Close' mouthpieces tend to be played with heavier strength reeds.
Harder reeds have more stiffness to them and MAY offer more abundant overtones.
'Open' mouthpieces tend to be played with lighter strength reeds.
The larger tip opening may produce louder volume, and this appears with many jazz players for that purpose.
BOTH may be manipulated to get full expression from the clarinet.
Starting players should consider a medium-open mouthpiece (say 1.1-1.2mm) and a #2-#3 strength reed for reasonable comfort and control.
Unfortunately, no one can say what is exactly right for you, everyone has slightly different chops.
I like the Hite Premier and Fobes Debut mouthpieces for starters. They're pretty well made, sound good, and don't cost a bundle.
The mouthpiece that is supplied with most clarinets is rarely appropriate to the starting player, and may impede your progress.
Talk it over with your band director, or teacher for some recommendations.
Then, find a store with several on hand and PLAY THEM.
If it's a 'good' mouthpiece, and plays lousy for your - try something else.
If it's a 'bad' mouthpiece, and plays well for you - buy it.
It's all about getting the reed to sing for YOU.
anji
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Author: Eoin McAuley
Date: 2001-09-26 07:27
The terms open and closed refer to the flatness of the "table", the flat place on the mouthpiece where you place the reed. This is actually not quite flat but slightly curved so that the tip of the reed is away from the tip of the mouthpiece. In an open mouthpiece, there will be a big gap between the tip of the reed and the mouthpiece. In a closed mouthpiece, there will be a small gap.
Use soft reeds with an open mouthpiece; use hard reeds with a closed mouthpiece.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-09-26 11:16
I agree that beginners should use a medium opening mouthpiece. To tell what the tip opening for a given mouthpiece is, it is best (unless you have the appropriate measuring tools) to find a chart like the one in the Woodwind and Brasswind catalog and look it up.
Another good mouthpiece for beginners, and advanced players for that matter, is the Vandoren B45. It is, however, more expensive than the Hite Premier or Fobes Debut. I would classify the B45 as medium to medium open.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2001-09-26 15:20
IMHO, 1.2 is WAY too open for most beginners, particularly young ones. (Without having a chart, I would guess it's close to a Bay MO.) I would say beginner range should be more like 1.00 to 1.10 (close to medium close) with a medium to long facing.
While the B45 may be a good mouthpiece for an experienced player (though I don't like it, personally), IMHO, it is a TERRIBLE mouthpiece to inflict on a beginner because it is far too open (resistant) for an undeveloped embouchure. Vandoren's recommended reed range (regular Vandorens) for this mouthpiece is 2.5 -- 3.5. That doesn't allow much leeway to compensate by using softer reeds.
jnk
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Author: Micaela
Date: 2001-09-26 20:56
I used a B45 from about 4th until 6th grade (I broke it and got a Hite Artist I liked better, now I have a custom). I think it's fairly good for a beginner, a lot better than the junk that came with my first rental clarinet.
A music store in my area is selling a B45 clone for ~$40 under the name American Music (it's a smallish chain of band instrument stores). I'm not sure how good a copy it is but it may be worth a try.
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Author: Kirk
Date: 2001-09-26 21:23
Thanks a zillion for all the very useful info. Next payday, I'll stop by my fav store and check'em out.
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Author: Fred
Date: 2001-09-27 01:34
And Kirk . . . do not fall into the trap of believing that as you get better you have to play harder and harder reeds. The reed strength has to match the mouthpiece as well as the player. The manufacturer of the mouthpiece may provide a recommended range of reed strength for their products.
That being said . . . some beginning players are using reeds that are too soft. I started on 1.5's . . . sounded like it too.
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