 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-01-08 20:09
The last time I tried out a Vandoren mouthpiece was when I was in the 6th grade and knew virtually nothing about mouthpieces or my instrument, for that matter. I was taught in high school to stay away from Vandorens, but I've grown curious of them. The majority of my clarinet studio plays on them, and some get a really good sound out of them. I've been wanting to see what the big deal is!
So, I've tried out a few Vandoren mouthpieces over winter break-- the M15 and the M30. I didn't like the M15 very much (the tone was very stiff and didn't resonate like I wanted), but the M30 is decent. Two that I've considered are the M30 Lyre & M15 Lyre, but I haven't been able to try them. I have played the 5RV on an Eb clarinet, and I like it very much for Eb... Not sure if I will like it on Bb/A. I've never tried the B40/B45 or M13.
Thoughts?
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2012-01-08 20:33
Well what's stopping you from trying them? Best way to find out is to order a few of each and try them yourself.
Not a huge fan of the B45, but maybe I just have a bad one.
I've played on the M30 for several years, and it's still good enough that I at least reconsider using it again but usually end up staying with my current mouthpiece.
I've heard many clarinetists that sounded great on almost all the mouthpieces you've listed though, so they are at least worth a try. Also, did you mean the M13 Lyre (not M15 Lyre)?
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-01-08 20:48
I guess I did mean the M13 Lyre! Strange. One of my studio members told me she plays on an M15 Lyre... I'll have to ask her about that one.
I don't have the money to order a bunch of mouthpieces to try from WWBW, and my local music store only carries a couple of the models.
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-01-08 22:07
It's a shame that music stores don't carry all the options. It is important to try as many mouthpieces as possible, because it's impossible to know what features will suit your playing style when you try a limited amount of mouthpieces. Is it possible to purchase on credit, and use their return policy, or maybe friends or family could help you? Their cleaning fee is nominal, and so is shipping.
I always invite people to think outside the vandoren (even though I they they're great for sax). I enjoy Clark Fobes, and they have two mid level mouthpieces (NOVA series) that if you tried both together, give you two different but performance acceptable feels.
Vandoren 5RV Lyre is also popular. Good luck.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-01-08 23:45
The 5RV Lyre is a good all around mouthpiece. One that has a bit more oomph is the M13 (which I prefer over the M13Lyre, but that's opinion). The M30 is a bit odd with its thicker rails it tends to be a tad unresponsive.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: bethmhil
Date: 2012-01-09 00:18
Paul, it's interesting that you say that about the M30... It feels and sounds more "stiff" than I'm used to. What is it that you don't like about the M13 Lyre?
BMH
Illinois State University, BME and BM Performance
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Author: Tom Puwalski
Date: 2012-01-09 02:10
I have taken a real liking to Vandoren's long facing mouthpieces M15, M30 and B40-lyre. But my favorite of the 3 is the M30. But with this one caveat; you have to put a lot of this mouthpiece in your mouth. If you don't you will be cutting off a lot of the resonance that it is capable of achieving. I don't think you need to try 10 to get a good one. I buy one at a time and they always play really good. I use a Rue Lepec #3 on it or a Legere 2.75, I play double lip I just jam a lot in my pie hole and blow and it sounds really nice.
Tom Puwalski.
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Author: TianL
Date: 2012-01-09 02:25
my favorite is the M13 lyre.. my teacher and many of his students play it as well.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-01-09 10:12
For me the M13 Lyre is a bit too long. This is very odd because I usually just naturally fall into the longer lay mouthpieces, so I don't know exactly why this one is odd. I just lose control with this one.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2012-01-09 15:37
Yeah: What Tom said.
The M30 is really surprising in how darn much mouthpiece you need to swallow to get the most out of it. Use the OPEN G SQUEAK method to position the mouthpiece (stuff it further and further into your pie hole, 'til it squeaks). As mentioned on the current "M30" Thread here, you need to really "chonk" the M30.
I think that, in addition to the long lay on the M30, the way the mouthpiece curve meets the table is unusual, and you can control the reed with your lip right onto the flat of the table.
And --I've found that Vandoren mouthpieces are amazingly consistent; so you don't need (probably) to test several of the same model. Janet Jonquil of the Vancouver, BC symphony says that she plays on Vandorens because, if she were to break one, she could pick up a spare at the drug store!
Bob Phillips
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2012-01-09 20:13
Regarding your comment about "stuff it further and further into your pie hole, 'til it squeaks," is that where you play it then or do you pull it out of your mouth a little bit so it doesn't squeak?
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Author: JamesOrlandoGarcia
Date: 2012-01-09 21:31
Vandoren's mouthpieces are fantastic when you have the right facing. I never liked them until I tried the m15 and m30. I currently use the M30 and am completely content.
Since you are in Bloomington-Normal, you should consider driving to Springfield during the Illinois Music Educators Association All-State conference later this month. There will be many exhibitors with products to sell. I'd be dumbfounded if there wasn't a dealer or Vandoren itself with mouthpieces to try.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-01-09 23:12
Once you get the 'SQUAWK,' you back off slightly and THAT is the best spot on THAT mouthpiece for you. Think about it, there is a curve from the point where the mouthpiece and reed meet. You can make all sorts of determinations where that is but the 'play-open-G-method' is pretty fool proof.
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: hautboy
Date: 2012-01-10 23:05
There is an m15 13 series. Maybe this is the mouthpiece bethmhill meant?
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2012-01-11 00:03
Yes, Roxann, as Paul said, the squawk point comes when your lower lip is so far down on the mouthpiece that it is not "bending" the reed from the table onto the curvature of the lay.
To get the fullest excitation of the air column, you want to be using as much reed as possible.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Klarnetisto
Date: 2012-01-12 02:53
I have a Vandoren 5JB, their "jazz" mouthpiece. I tried out several Vandorens and chose that one because I was in an international folk dance band at the time, and that mouthpiece facilitates flexibility: vibrato, pitch-bends, quarter tones, timbre change... It also makes an overall bigger sound. Even so, I'd say it has no problem making a proper classical sound.
My second choice was as I recall the B45. It played very well and make a great sound, but was rather more contained, both in volume and pitch control ("well, I can do those things if you make me, but I'm really not that kind of a mouthpiece, hmph!").
My Eb came with a Vandoren, but I don't recall the number... I'll have a look when I get it back from the repair shop.
I got my daughter a Fobes Debut and find that it's a fabulous all-purpose mouthpiece for very little money. I'd say it's at least the equal of any Vandoren.
Klarnetisto
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