 The Fingering Forum
|
Author: ~Heather ~
Date: 2004-11-07 18:52
I have heard that hard rubber clarinet mouth pieces are better than the plastic ones. What makes it better and about how much would it cost? I am currently using a pretty nice plastic mouth piece, but I would like to get what ever is best. Thanks everyone.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2004-11-08 01:30
the standard "best" one that i've heard of is the Vandoren B45. just like Selmer C* is for saxs. the difference is density. the harder the density the warmer tone. plastic sucks up some sound. hard rubber sucks up less. and crystal barely does. the top you can go to is crystal because of it's density, it's very hard. there is two reason why you don't see a lot of clarinetists have crystal mouthpieces. they are expensive, and on the off-chance that the clarinet is dropped, or slips out of your hands, the mouthpiece has zero half-life. once it cracks or breaks, it's done with, and then expensive to replace. a hard rubber mouthpiece, B45, cost me about $115 CAD, so about $85 USD. crystal is way up there at around $200 USD. hope this helps.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Dee
Date: 2004-11-08 13:52
To Theboy,
Your statements are nonsense. Plastic does not "suck up some sound". On wind instruments, regardless of one's subjective feelings, material makes no difference.
Any sound differences result from the design and from the quality of manufacture. Most plastic mouthpieces are cheaply made for the student market. As with any product, some brands and models are better than others. The Yamaha 4C, Fobes Debut, and Hite Premier are highly regarded by clarinet teachers. Others, such as the Buffet plastic mouthpiece that comes with their student horns, are considered to be very poor. Plastics are slightly more brittle than hard rubber and so tend to break a little bit easier. The plastic ones also develop tooth marks easier than plastic.
While the B45 is a good all around mouthpiece, there are many out there just as good or even better. The B45 is a medium open mouthpiece. it is a little bit too open for classical music and a bit too closed for jazz. Yet it is within a reasonable working range for both if the player is moderately skilled at controlling their sound.
Since I play in a concert band and play almost no jazz, I find the Vandoren 5RV, a slightly more closed mouthpiece, to be more suitable. But again there are many mouthpieces equally suitable.
The B45 is often recommended to a beginner as it will work well with the softer reeds that beginners use. The more closed mouthpieces need a stiffer reed.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ~Heather ~
Date: 2004-11-08 20:50
Thanks Dee, and I do have the Vandoran B45 currently. Thanks again!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Theboy_2
Date: 2004-11-10 01:07
thank you Dee for correcting my mistake. i must go back to my local dealer and correct his mistake too.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tavis
Date: 2004-11-14 00:48
Heather,
is it the "B45", or the "B45." that you own?
they are two completely different mouthpieces.
generally, not one mouthpiece is "the best", as different mouthpieces suit different players. i play on reeds from 3 to 5 depending on the surroundings and hence i use a quite narrow opened piece. the more open the mouthpiece, the more suited for thinner reeds and stylisticly, is best suited for jazz.
comments, queries or quams? email me.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
