Upgrading clarinet/mouthpiece? Options

[ViolinQueen]

I am preparing for my grade 4 clarinet exam on the 9th Dec, and currently play the Buffet B12 with the original set-up (mouthpiece, ligature) and a rico-royal reed. After being told by my teacher (and researching on the ABRSM forums), I gathered that 'buffet mouthpieces aren't the best'. So, with Christmas in mind, I thought I'd treat myself to something new and exciting... a.k.a. a new clarinet/clarinet mouthpiece!

I started playing Clarinet in Summer 2009, and having missed the Easter 2010 entry, started Grade 2 pieces and did grade 1 in Summer 2010 with a bad summer cold (flu?) and nerves - I passed with a 117 pass - only 3 more marks for a merit! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/dry.gif) Later that year, I took Grade 2 at Xmas and passed with a 120 merit. Being told by my teacher that I should skip Grade 3 to save time (not taking the exam) I stared preparing for Grade 4 around June this year (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif). Hopefully, I'll pass... with a merit? (IMG:style_emoticons/default/laugh.gif) Its probably not a massive ACHIEVEMENT but without any music (let alone woodwind!) background or musical cells/gene (none of my family members can play an instrument or read music), and only two years, its something I'm quite proud of... (IMG:style_emoticons/default/blush.gif)

Now, with my 'progress' e.g. how quickly I progress, in mind, what would you guys advise me? After grade 4 I am going to spend more time looking at repertoires, sight-reading and dedicate more of my time playing the clarinet 'properly', by that I mean playing pieces that I enjoy and building a steady knowledge of the instrument rather than trying to pass exams! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/party1.gif) I like Baroque and Classical Music so I would probably like a Clarinet/Mouthpiece that gives a warm, rich, deep tone. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/wub.gif)

After asking my teacher for advice, he said that I would probably benefit from a vandoren B40/B45 mouthpiece with a vandoren reed on a intermediate wooden clarinet. However, he also said that I could probably go up to Grade 6 if I ONLY changed mouthpiece, meanwhile saving up money for an 'advanced' clarinet when I reach Grade 6/7.

So... My question is: will a wooden clarinet be better for me than a mouthpiece, and what set up I should use e.g. ligature, mouthpiece and reed?

Eagerly waiting for your replies, (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) and thanks in advance!

-VQ (^well, I was talking too much again... ) (IMG:style_emoticons/default/clarinet.gif)

[sbhoa]

What's good for someone else (including your teacher) may not be good for you.

If you have a secure basic technique it would be worth trying things out. I started with the mouthpiece and went somewhere where I could try lots. I also had someone with me to listen. He is an experience clarinettist so was able to help me in properly testing as well as being another pair of ears. As for reeds, that can be another minefield and you only know by trying.

I upgraded to a wooden clarinet about 6 months after the mouthpiece change and again tried a few and my teacher went with me to help. I was about grade 5 level at the time and chose a used buffet R13.

Now post grade 6 I've had another mouthpiece change and a second ligature change. Sorting out reeds after the last mouthpiece change has taken time. I'm now aware that the instrument I have now is not my 'for life' clarinet and a recent trial of a new Hanson T6 has confirmed this. I've not kept the Hanson even though I like it better than my R13 because I know that I need at least a couple of years further development as a player in order to be able to make the right choice.

The upgrade at grade 5 level was the right move but it's turned out not to be the final change as my playing has been developing.
An upgrade at about grade 5 where technique is solid is going to benefit but if it's going to be your only chance to upgrade you may feel that it's a compromise further down the line when you start to find your own sound.

I progressed fairly quickly but some things really do need time to fully develop.

[barry-clari]

What's good for someone else (including your teacher) may not be good for you.

If you have a secure basic technique it would be worth trying things out.

They are the two critical sentences. One thing I would say is that it's quite possible to do really well at grade 8 on a B12 (albeit with a Vandoren rather than a Buffet mouthpiece) - I've had pupils who have done just that.

[ViolinQueen]

Oooh, thanks for the quick reply, Shboa and barri-clari!

What's good for someone else (including your teacher) may not be good for you.

Yes, that is true, but I was wondering with Mouthpieces have a nice dark, mellow tone instead of a bright one?

I upgraded to a wooden clarinet about 6 months after the mouthpiece change and again tried a few and my teacher went with me to help. I was about grade 5 level at the time and chose a used buffet R13.

Pardon my ignorance of the clarinet world, but I thought that the R13 was a professional/advanced clarinet?
Which mouthpiece did you change to, then? Also, After you got the R13, did you use the m/p that came with it or did you keep on using the mouthpiece you upgraded to 6 month prior?

What's good for someone else (including your teacher) may not be good for you.

If you have a secure basic technique it would be worth trying things out.

They are the two critical sentences. One thing I would say is that it's quite possible to do really well at grade 8 on a B12 (albeit with a Vandoren rather than a Buffet mouthpiece) - I've had pupils who have done just that.

Very true, on another thread, I read that a person had gotten a 147 distinction with a basic student yamaha!

Also... I read that while buffet provides a nice tone, yamaha has a very responsive and easy-to-press-down keywork? I would definitely benefit from a responsive keywork as my r/h little finger seems to 'fingerlock' when I use play the c# key e.g. when I switch from r/h C to l/h B and to C# very quickly...

[sbhoa]

I'm no mouthpiece expert but even where a mouthpiece has a particular character what you get from it will be personal at least to some degree.

Yes, the R13 is an advanced/professional instrument. It was the right one for me at the time I bought it.
I started with a Vandoren 5RV mouthpiece which came with my Hanson student clarinet. The first change was to a Hite model D. I now have Vandoren M30. When I got the R13 I continued with the Hite.

Keywork does differ between clarinets and is a consideration when buying. If yours is too heavy then it may be possible to get the springs loosened a little though what you describe sounds more like the way your fingers fit than resistance. Has your teacher had a look at how you move your little finger? It could be to do with how you move and maybe a small change would solve the problem.

[ViolinQueen]

Thank you for you replies, I will talk to my teacher again this week and we will decide after my Exam...

But any advice or opinion welcome!

Thanks

[sbhoa]

Thank you for you replies, I will talk to my teacher again this week and we will decide after my Exam...

But any advice or opinion welcome!

Thanks

If you aren't sure a good question may be 'Is my technique sound enough that my playing would benefit from a better instrument?' Though this may well be the reason your teacher is suggesting an upgrade.

[barry-clari]

VQ, the R13 is a professional-level clarinet. I have one, which I've owned since new (in 2001). It's been very reliable, and I love it. But that's the thing : it suits me, but sbhoa feels she needs a change. Instruments are like that : very personal things. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[ViolinQueen]

Thank you for you replies, I will talk to my teacher again this week and we will decide after my Exam...

But any advice or opinion welcome!

Thanks

If you aren't sure a good question may be 'Is my technique sound enough that my playing would benefit from a better instrument?' Though this may well be the reason your teacher is suggesting an upgrade.

I..erm, didn't quite understand that question...? So if it means what I think it means, the answer would be that for a warmer tone throughout the clarinet for my standard of playing, I think I would benefit from a better instrument or m/p.

After having tried my friend's vandoren M15 (I think?) on an E11 clarinet, the tone was 'MUCH better'. Also my teacher said that reeds make a great difference, too. Apparently, the best out of affordable options is vandorens.

And may I add, how long should a reed last? e.g a typical 2.5 rico royal/vandoren

[barry-clari]

And may I add, how long should a reed last? e.g a typical 2.5 rico royal/vandoren

How long is a piece of string? It varies - I use Vandoren 56 rue Lepic strength 3 (having recently changed from blue box Vandorens). I'm finding reed life is similar : I rotate 8 reeds, and find that they last around a month on average, but it can be as little as a fortnight or as much as 8-9 weeks. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

This will of course further vary depending on how long you play for in a typical week. I play a lot (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif)

[sbhoa]

If you aren't sure a good question may be 'Is my technique sound enough that my playing would benefit from a better instrument?' Though this may well be the reason your teacher is suggesting an upgrade.

I..erm, didn't quite understand that question...? So if it means what I think it means, the answer would be that for a warmer tone throughout the clarinet for my standard of playing, I think I would benefit from a better instrument or m/p.

After having tried my friend's vandoren M15 (I think?) on an E11 clarinet, the tone was 'MUCH better'. Also my teacher said that reeds make a great difference, too. Apparently, the best out of affordable options is vandorens.

It sounds as though you don't need to ask it anyway.
What I mean is that a good instrument isn't a cure for poor technique.
I've heard proof of that.

I'm not sure how much better it is to change one thing at a time. That's if it is better....

[liseypeasy]

[/quote]

They are the two critical sentences. One thing I would say is that it's quite possible to do really well at grade 8 on a B12 (albeit with a Vandoren rather than a Buffet mouthpiece) - I've had pupils who have done just that.
[/quote] Very true, on another thread, I read that a person had gotten a 147 distinction with a basic student yamaha!

Also... I read that while buffet provides a nice tone, yamaha has a very responsive and easy-to-press-down keywork? I would definitely benefit from a responsive keywork as my r/h little finger seems to 'fingerlock' when I use play the c# key e.g. when I switch from r/h C to l/h B and to C# very quickly...
[/quote]

I did grade 8 on a buffet B12, no-one had ever mentioned that different clarinets could produce different tones! (Though I had some idea that wooden instruments had a better sound) One of the over-riding comments on my mark sheet was a lack of support in 2 of the pieces, my teacher had never mentioned this in the 6 years I'd been playing, 12 years on I'm trying to rectify this problem which is hard as my technique would have been pretty well set in by grade 8 ...still, 2 marks off a merit which was frustrating. But my point is that with a wooden instrument I still wouldn't have had the supported sound.

But yeah, pretty overwhelming the variety of instruments, combinations etc...if you find that magical set up, let me know! (IMG:style_emoticons/default/tongue.gif)

[balu114]

Hello All,

I am in a similar situation like ViolinQueen. I would like to upgrade but don't know to what and how!

The major problem is I don't know if I would be able to tell if I am making a good sound or not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

So if I am testing few mouth pieces, I wouldn't know which one to pick. I can't ask my teacher to accompany me to a shop (in London) as he is very busy.

I am thinking about getting mouthpieces via post and trying but not sure if any shop/company provide such a service for mouth pieces?

Could any of you recommend such a place for me?

Sorry for taking this thread slightly offtopic!

Many thanks,
Balu

[sbhoa]

Hello All,

I am in a similar situation like ViolinQueen. I would like to upgrade but don't know to what and how!

The major problem is I don't know if I would be able to tell if I am making a good sound or not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

So if I am testing few mouth pieces, I wouldn't know which one to pick. I can't ask my teacher to accompany me to a shop (in London) as he is very busy.

I am thinking about getting mouthpieces via post and trying but not sure if any shop/company provide such a service for mouth pieces?

Could any of you recommend such a place for me?

Sorry for taking this thread slightly offtopic!

Many thanks,
Balu

Dawkes will send out two or three (can't remember which). You have to pay but get refunded minus a charge for cleaning or something. If you use a credit card you can time it so you don't actually have to have the money up front. I don't have one.

I suppose if you weigh up the cost against a trip away to try out it's probably not too bad.

[ViolinQueen]

Hello All,

I am in a similar situation like ViolinQueen. I would like to upgrade but don't know to what and how!

The major problem is I don't know if I would be able to tell if I am making a good sound or not (IMG:style_emoticons/default/sad.gif)

So if I am testing few mouth pieces, I wouldn't know which one to pick. I can't ask my teacher to accompany me to a shop (in London) as he is very busy.

I am thinking about getting mouthpieces via post and trying but not sure if any shop/company provide such a service for mouth pieces?

Could any of you recommend such a place for me?

Sorry for taking this thread slightly offtopic!

Many thanks,
Balu

Dawkes will send out two or three (can't remember which). You have to pay but get refunded minus a charge for cleaning or something. If you use a credit card you can time it so you don't actually have to have the money up front. I don't have one.

I suppose if you weigh up the cost against a trip away to try out it's probably not too bad.

sbhoa, is Dawkes the shop in Maiden head?

thanks (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)