 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: nwh2
Date: 2012-01-19 03:42
Hi all,
I have been scouring the net and haven't found an answer to this question:
What reed (make/size) works optimally with the B. Portnoy Mouthpiece no. 2 for Bass Clarinet?
I'm playing on (for the moment) a Vandoren size 3.5, and am not getting anywhere near optimal resonance...any advice (aside from just fixing the reed)?
I've played on other setups before with better results, but with not actually owning my own bass setup, the constant borrowing means different mouthpieces, and I have no experience on this particular one.
I appreciate any insight!
Thanks,
Nick
Post Edited (2012-01-19 03:48)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-01-20 09:16
The only insight I have is that you NEED to procure and hold on to at least ONE bass mouthpiece (they're not really that much more than a Bb mouthpiece).
I'm not familiar with the Portnoy Bass but you could invest in a Charles Bay (a little pricey but worth it) or Hite and just get used to that and have it for whatever clarinet you wind up using.
As for resonance, it's really hard to know what you are getting at here. If you are not producing enough sound and can move up on strength, this might help. But you can't do much better than Vandorens. If you need a ready reed in funky weather conditions (like now), you could try the Fibracell reeds, they generally sound a little 'reedier' (go figure) but once you find the right strength, you never have to worry about them not responding if you're switching back and forth to soprano.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-01-20 09:40
> But you can't do much better than Vandorens.
<cough!> <cough!>
Not sure.
--
Ben
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Author: nwh2
Date: 2012-01-20 16:31
Thanks guys. I'm definitely going to invest in a mouthpiece setup when I get some more disposable income, I just don't play bass often enough at the moment unfortunately.
By "resonance" I just meant it felt like the 3.5 might be a bit too strong for the facing on the mouthpiece and was just wondering what anyone else was using - Vandoren mouthpieces come with sizing charts that give the ideal range of sizes to use for their mouthpieces given the facing and I didn't know what that would be on the Portnoy.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-01-21 00:47
Ooooh, the ol' sizing chart vs reed strength.
I NEVER understood what they were talking about.......my results are WAY different than theirs. It is best to find what works best for yourself. The only function of the mouthpiece sizing chart that is useful (for me) is being able to compare mouthpiece sizes to those mouthpieces with which you are familiar AS A STARTING POINT ONLY.
On soprano (with which I AM familiar) the Portnoy 2 is middle of the road (implied of course) sorta like an M13. But I've always found the Portnoy (soprano) to be too bright, or edgy or something, but it is a decent mouthpiece.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: BartHx
Date: 2012-01-21 01:35
As Paul points out, the best set up is the one that works best for you. My brother used a BP02 on his soprano for a number of years and got great results with a 3.0 to 3.5 reed. He found another mouthpiece he liked as well about the time I was looking for a new mouthpiece, so he sent me the Portnoy to try. I love it and get similar results with a 2.5 to 3.0 reed. What works best for you is going to depend on your embrochure (including the tooth profile), your air flow, focus, and support. On the same mouthpiece, I can't get a decent tone with my brother's ideal read nor he with mine. I am frequently complimented on my tone and many are shocked to learn that I achieve it with a 2.5 Vandoren 56 reed.
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Author: nwh2
Date: 2012-01-21 14:21
I ordered some 3's and 3.5's, so we'll see how they do. I'm liking the mouthpiece so far though, it's a bit better than I've played on before.
Thanks for you guys' input!
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2015-01-07 05:29
Hi,
I'm a little late on posting.
I use a Portnoy #2 mouthpiece on bass clarinet. A 3 1/2 is too stiff a reed for this MP. I have had very good luck with a #3 Rico Royal reed. I have also found a whole box of #2 Ricos in the brown box in my stash (I'll clip them a little) and another whole box of #3 Ricos in the orange box.
Life is good.
HRL
PS If anyone has an extra Portnoy #2 BC MP, I'd be happy to make a trade of some kind.
.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2015-01-07 19:55
There is no answer to this question because it's individual for every player. By the way, I used to use Vandores most of my professional life but the last 10-12 years I've used the Rico Grand concerts, I found them far superior. But than again, it's up to the player. You just have to experiment, the same with finding the right mouthpiece for you. What's good for one player does not make it good for another.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: bill28099
Date: 2015-01-07 23:44
I use plain old Gonzalez 2.75 bass reeds. They are cheap and one finds at least two good players in a box of 5. If you're lucky you get through the university band year with one, if you're not lucky your one dies right before the last concert. My mouthpiece is a Grabner CX_BB Years ago I had bum luck with Vandoren, they chirped like a nest of hungry baby sparrows.
A great teacher gives you answers to questions
you don't even know you should ask.
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