 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Heather G
Date: 2013-01-28 06:43
Hi everyone!
I am in need of a new mouthpiece and was hoping for some suggestions.
I currently play vandoren M13 on my set of A and Bb Chadash clarinets. The Vandoren still plays well but it has gotten quite old being that it was originally my private teachers from high school and she gave it to me as a gift. My current college clarinet professor thinks it would be a good idea to upgrade.
I am in college as a clarinet performance major currently and one of the mouthpieces I'm looking at is the Lomax Firebird. I tried it this past summer at Clarinetfest and fell in love. If anyone has any experience on this mouthpiece I'd love to hear it but like the post states at the beginning I'd love to hear any testimonials about any mouthpieces!
Thanks in advance.
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Author: Clarimeister
Date: 2013-01-28 07:30
Wow that's great that you have a pair of Chadash clarinets. I've always wanted to try them for myself, but unfortunately they're made upon order from him. I have his ringless barrels, and they're phenomenal!
From my perspective, it really depends on what kind of sound you're looking to achieve. The mouthpiece will help aid you in that the most.
I currently perform on a Vandoren M30. My particular approach to the sound is a very round and warm, pure sound and the M30 is fantastic in letting me gain that type of sound. I haven't found anything better than that for my approach to playing. The M13 and M13Lyre from what I've experienced on them is to more achieve a more focused, core to the sound. That's not to say you cannot achieve an approach similar to mine with the M13s. I've also owned and previously performed on Clark Fobes' CF+ model. It's pretty similar to the M13's facing length and tip opening, but different in sound characteristics. It's very free blowing, requires very hard reeds (equiv. V12 4 and up). He has many other models that you can try. I also have a Greg Smith Chedeville 1++ that is excellent. That one is tiny bit more open than the M13s but you can try the 1, 1*, and 1+ models. He also has some Kaspar influenced facings that you can try. Also you can look at some of the lesser known names for mpc craftsmen, such as Mike Vaccaro in the Los Angeles area (I used to play one of his mouthpieces on my old clarinet and it was amazing. Just doesn't work as well on my newer R13). Richard Hawkins, Lomax as you mentioned, Walter Grabner, Chris Hill, Vytas Krass, and more also make fine mouthpieces I'm sure. And, the new Rico mouthpieces are fantastic, and you should look into the X0 or even the X5 mpcs. I tried the X0 and it's awesome! The possibilities are endless.
When your teacher says "upgrade" do they mean something other than Vandoren? In my own personal opinion, there is nothing wrong with Vandoren mouthpieces. Tons of professionals use them worldwide. Or, do they mean that that mouthpiece seems to not fit you well? Are you happy with the M13, and do YOU feel you need to change? Just some questions to ponder. I hope this has helped. I'm sure others will chime in to give some perspective and opinion as well.
Post Edited (2013-01-28 07:32)
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2013-01-28 08:36
Brad Behn would definitely have the perfect mouthpiece for you and will do everything possible to ensure that the fit is perfect for exactly what you are striving to achieve as far as sound and playability is concerned.
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Author: donald
Date: 2013-01-28 08:50
Here's my 10c.... If you liked the Firebird- which facing? I'd buy a Rico Reserve mouthpiece with the tip opening closest to the Firebird you liked, then pay Mike Lomax to put his Firebird facing on it. This would be significantly cheaper than buying a firebird... you could also try having your Vandoren refaced.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2013-01-28 09:01
Dear Heather,
I have a Lomax Firebird mouthpiece which I've been using for a year. I find it's a bit off the beaten track; very bright, free-blowing and with a lot of harmonics. It projects well in orchestral works. What I usually use for chamber music, however, is my Lomax Andrew Marriner model, which produces a darker, rounder sound.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-01-28 11:52
Quote:
My current college clarinet professor thinks it would be a good idea to upgrade.
What does your teacher suggest?
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Author: Heather G
Date: 2013-01-28 15:31
I guess I worded this poorly, sorry!
He didn't mean so much an upgrade as needing just a new mouthpiece. He loves Vandoren mouthpieces and plays on them. Also has a Pyne mouthpiece he is fond of.
He recommended a couple of Vandoren's and also let me try a couple mouthpieces a colleague of his made. I wasn't a fan of the ones his colleague made, just not for me. Overall, he said they're different for everyone and generally if you find one you like, it will reflect in the playing. He says that he finds that generally when a student really likes a mouthpiece, the teacher generally will as well.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2013-01-28 16:46
Heather G wrote:
> I guess I worded this poorly, sorry!
>
> He didn't mean so much an upgrade as needing just a new
> mouthpiece. He loves Vandoren mouthpieces and plays on them.
So now we're at the point of asking, why does he think you need a new one? Is the M13 you've been using damaged? Does he agree that, as you say, "it still plays quite well?" There are a gazillion excellent mouthpieces around, but if the one you're using still plays well and your teacher isn't agitating against it out of a dislike of Vandoren mouthpieces in general, then why does he - or why do you - want to change?
That it's old isn't really reason in itself unless there's something about the way it plays that either you or your teacher doesn't like. The whole 13 Series isn't that old to begin with. I forget when they first came on the market, but it's less than 20 years ago, probably less than 15.
Have you considered replacing the old mouthpiece with a new M13?
I'm not at all saying that you shouldn't change (it isn't our decision), just trying to zero in on what you want to accomplish.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-01-28 17:32
No one can tell you what the best mouthpiece is for you. Same as barrels, bells or clarinets. The only way you will ever know is to try as many as possible. Once you find the make and model you like best I always had my studets try 3-4 of those because no two MP or barrels play exactly the same. There's always a slight difference, like snow flakes. I alway stocked 10-12 different makes and facings for my students to try and then had them try several of the one they, and I, thought was to best one for them. IF none of them were choosen I would have them try some others from the mail order stores. You have to try MPs with several different reeds as well because one might play great with a softer or slightly hard reed then you're used to.
I feel the same way about ordering a custom clarinet. To me it's a crap shoot, you don't know how it will play until you bought it. I always liked to try as many as I can when buying one for myself or a student to pick the one that plays best for me or them. With that said, I understand many people have been happy with special ordered clarinets especially if their close enough to the maker to go make for adjustments once it's broken in or you don't like something about it. There is no such thing as a "perefect" clarinet. I've also seen some very dissapointed people as well. Oh well.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: jacobhardy25
Date: 2013-01-28 19:22
I would totally recommend the Greg Smith Kaspar Cicero. The sound projection is really nice and the articulation is perfect. Also, it is easier to switch between registers and still have a good tone. I just bought the Kaspar about 3 months ago and I absolutely love it. Good luck with your mouthpiece searching!
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Author: Paul Globus
Date: 2013-01-28 19:34
How "old" is your "old" Vandoren M13? Stanley Drucker has played on the same mouthpiece for decades. I know many other players who also have put in major mileage on their favourite mouthpieces (I myself play on a Vandoren mouthpiece that I purchased for $10 in 1969).
Age alone is not really a valid reason to go mouthpiece shopping.
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Author: Heather G
Date: 2013-01-29 02:58
I guess that it's not so much "old" is that it sound worn out on me. Part of which may be because I didn't choose this mouthpiece, it was a used one gifted to me by a previous teacher. I'd just really like to find one for me and chosen by me but I was hoping for some suggestions to maybe steer my path in what I should maybe look at.
I know all mouthpieces are different for different people but I'd like to know why certain mouthpieces work for some of you. What it is that these mouthpieces accomplish that you don't seem to get from others that make it your mouthpiece of choice.
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Author: Paul Globus
Date: 2013-01-29 12:17
"Worn out" is in the same category as "old" but I suppose it is valid to look for a new mouthpiece it that's what you want to do, even for comparison purposes.
Mr. Palanker's advice above is right on -- it's a highly individual choice. I would only add that Vandoren is a good place to start. I say that because the Vandoren range of facings and openings is broad, and most woodwind retailers carry Vandoren mouthpieces so you can easily try them out.
Do bear in mind, though, the Vandoren mouthpieces, while mass produced, are hand finished, which means that within the same designation (B40, let's say) they can vary quite bit from one to the next. Not so with the new Rico Reserve mouthpieces. From what I understand, these mouthpieces are made in such as way as to greatly minimize or even eliminate hand work. I tried several for a student recently and found them to be virtually identical in terms of sound and feel. Pretty impressive. And they play great.
Pay attention also to what Mr. Palanker said about reeds. A mouthpiece may sound and feel poorly to you and the only issue is actually not the mouthpiece at all but the reed you've chosen to try it with. You need a range of reeds at hand when trying mouthpieces. Very important.
Finally, it's essential to understand that because of our individual characteristics, some of us gravitate towards more open mouthpieces, while others feel best on closer mouthpieces, while still others feel most at home with mouthpieces in the medium part of the range. This is as it should be. We are all different.
A last word. When trying mouthpieces, don't just play fast and loud.
Paul Globus
Post Edited (2013-01-29 12:42)
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2013-01-29 22:34
"I'd just really like to find one for me and chosen by me but I was hoping for some suggestions to maybe steer my path in what I should maybe look at."
Considering the importance of top-flight equipment to someone at your level and with your aspirations, why not go to Springfield and have the Lomaxes custom tailor a mouthpiece for you. Unless I miss my guess, it's not that far away.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Gmwinder
Date: 2013-02-03 01:53
Heather...if you really like the M13 I would start there with trying some new ones. Mouthpieces do wear out. I would also try some of the newer models especially the Masters CL4 and CL5. And remember, the ligature is an intregral part of of the set up. What are you using?
Gary
Junoreeds.com
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Author: BJ in NO
Date: 2013-02-25 01:39
Chris Pell, the new principal with the Louisiana Philharmonic, plays a Vandoren M30D (German model) with a Vandoren Optima ligature. There are many professionals playing Vandoren mouthpieces out there. Don't dismiss them so easily.
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Author: michael13162
Date: 2013-02-25 04:38
I would tell you to try the new Rico Reserves. The X0 model would match the M13 tip opening the most. They're really quite affordable at 100$ and they are very very good. I used to play on a M13 but recently moved on to a Lee Livengood custom.
I would just suggest keeping an open mindset about things and you might just be surprised at what you find. Also, sorry to be the overdone preacher but try and try many before you buy.
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