The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarienet
Date: 2011-02-19 01:41
I'm not too good with mouthpieces not vandoren mouthpieces anyway. I recently got a Vandoren 5RV Lyre free with the purchase of my Buffet E11. They were going to give me a Vandoren B45 but I already had it. So they gave me the choice of the 5RV or another that I cannot remember. My band director prefers that I use the darker toned mouthpiece. I'm having a hard time telling the difference. I'm not sure if its because of the ligature and reed I'm using or if I'm just not listening close enough. I've been using vandoren V12 size 3 reeds and a BG evolution ligature with both mouthpieces. I'm not sure if I'm listening careful enough but would the B45 produce a darker fuller tone?
Thank you. ~ Melissa
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-02-19 10:53
There are "warmer" mouthpieces, but I must assert that the first item to address is AIR. To achieve the "best sound" from mouthpiece and/or clarinet you must ensure that you have a STEADY, FOCUSED stream of air moving down the horn. Think of the difference between blowing on your hands to warm them up after you've come in from outside vs. blowing on a hot cup of cocoa to cool it off. You want the second one.
Also, you need to engage your abdominal muscles. As you play it should feel like you're blowing up a rather large, resistant balloon ALL THE TIME (with your stomach out at the beginning AND END of your breath.
The bottom line is that you should be able to feel your clarinet vibrate under your fingers in all registers. If not, there can be some improvement using MORE AIR.
After that, try a Gennusa Excellent mouthpiece (but beware, they tend a little low in pitch).
...................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-02-19 14:18
One player can play a certain mouthpiece and sound dark and another can play the same mouthpiece with the same reed and ligature and sound bright. The mouthpiece is very important of course but your tone starts from within you and we are all different within. If you want to find a mouthpiece that gives you a darker tone then what you have you may have to simply try as many mouthpieces as you can get you hands on. Most mail order stores will send your 3-4 on a trail basis but it the store near you has different ones, including other Vandorens, ask them if you can try them. Always have several reeds with you because one MP may play better with a slightly softer reed and another with a harder reed. I'd suggest at least three reeds slightly different. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: clarienet
Date: 2011-02-19 17:44
Thank you. I find these tips and replies very helpful. I actually have a gennusa exellent mouthpiece. It sounds brighter than my vandorens when I play it though.
Both of my vandoren B45 and Gennusa mouthpieces have small dents on the inner bars. Could this effect the tone?
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-02-19 21:03
For what it's worth - the B45 and 5RV are almost chalk and cheese. It's highly unlikely that the same reed strength will work properly with both.
The B45 is quite open and medium long whereas the 5RV is pretty close and medium/ medium-short.
I would expect to play between 1/2 to 1 strength harder on the 5RV compared to B45.
As stated in posts above the main factor in tone is the player however I think it fair to say that the 5RV would tend towards brightness and focus whereas the B45 would be less focussed and probably darker (duller!). Take your pick.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-02-21 05:56
Oooh
Depends on where exactly those dents are. If you mean the 'rails' have 'dents' on the inside or outside surfaces of the mouthpiece, this is not necessarily bad. However, if the dents are ON the REED surface (dents that would allow air to escape between the reed and mouthpiece) this could be very bad. A good mouthpiece guy could reface this if this is the case. Even though that's the cheaper option, I'd try new mouthpieces since there could be a host of other problems too.
....................Paul Aviles
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2011-02-21 14:07
> My band director prefers that I use the darker toned mouthpiece.
Strange request!
Use the one that you sound best on. If you're not sure, take them both to rehearsal, change at half-time, and wait for comments. :D
But it is apples and oranges: you'd be hard pressed to play both mpcs with the same reed.
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Author: Vova Doob(UA)
Date: 2011-02-21 19:53
Dear Melissa! I also play 5RV Lyre mouthpiece and Vuffet E11 Clarinet.
Analizing Vandoren mouthpieces i must tell that 5 RV Lyre is a most darker toned mouthpiece (from Vandorens) that i heard and played. Also such dark tone i heard in Vandoren M30.
Here is a video where i play on 5RV lyre and buffet E11 you can compare!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3Nz2bAEZUc
And also one moment! I want to buy gennusa exellent mouthpiece for myself, can you compare 5RV lyre and gennusa exellent mouthpiece. Pleas describe a difference!
Thank you!
Post Edited (2011-02-21 19:54)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-02-21 20:35
Dear Vova Doob,
I used both 5RV Lyre and Gennusa Excellent GE**. They are similar in feel (I have a preference for longer lay mouthpieces). The Gennusa seems to have a quicker response on attacks and plays very smoothly on wide skips. It does play a little less brilliantly and has a tendency to add some intonation issues (low) because of the large tone chamber. With a good barrel/clarinet combination though it is a very sweet mouthpiece.
...............Paul Aviles
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