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Problems with 5JB mpc

Author: Simon
Date: 2007-01-24 00:49

I have been practacing the 5JB mpc now for some months. Prior to this I have used the B45 for years, however I found it to be too resistant for the music I play (eastern European).

Whilsts I find the 5JB much easier to get the air through and able to play a lot longer, I haver encountered some problems with the 5JB in that reed strength 1.5 in Rco Royale is too soft and strength 2 is far too stiff. The clarinet I play on is the Normandy #4 with a Lablonc ligiture. And these are reads that haven't been used before however are probably few years old.

Any suggestions?

Many thanks.

Simon

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Re: Problems with 5JB mpc

Author: Ken Mills
Date: 2007-01-24 01:23

Simon; I was really committed to the 5JB after I modified it by enlarging the throat. That is where the sidewalls interface with the mouthpiece's bore, and I felt that the opening was too small as an outlet to the bore. So I filed the opening further open to get more air out into the instrument. The baffle is the wall opposite the window in the tip area and it is shallow and should remain that way as the volume inside the chamber nevertheless really gets bigger further down due to your filing the throat more open. These are the conditions that will blow the reed off the table so that it vibrates in protest; that is how the sound is supposed to be generated, and these conditions will allow you to drive a number 2 Marca reed, say, or 2 1/2 to be powerful enough outdoors so that nobody can stand up against you.

I switched to a Selmer CP100 with just a 1.22mm gradual tip opening because it is more responsive to rapid tonguing, which I like in jazz too. I can nevertheless get a pretty powerful sound with its ridiculously deep baffle on the other hand (and throat) and with a softer number 1 1/2 or 2 Vandoren reed. More air! Both mouthpieces sound dark in the clarion register too. I like to play, say, a C arpeggio up and down for two octaves without the thumb high C sticking out like a sore thumb. An R13 can do that, with your mouthpiece? I have a Vito V40, however.

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Re: Problems with 5JB mpc

Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2007-01-24 15:21

Ralph Morgan rounds the throat sidewalls of his mouthpieces, and they blow easily. He makes a jazz model that you might try.

Ken Shaw

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