I have been using a Vandoren 5RV for the last 5 years and have up until now got on with it very well. The problem is that because I have been putting a lot of practise in recently I am having to use a 3 or 3 1/2 reed in it. I find these reeds tend to loose some of the quality or sensibility. I can't use 2 1/2 with it and so have been advised to but another mouthpiece. I have been told the Vandoren 11.5 is a good one and may allow me to come down a size in reeds, which is ultimately what I would like to achieve. Anyone any ideas ?
I do have a shop near me that will allow me to try some but I should have an idea of 3 or 4 before I go !!
Trudi

how about the B45 Profile88 ? i am using it, not bad!

thankyou leung but it's made by whom ?

The buffet 125 isn't bad, but I suppose it depends on what grade you are at. I ma at grade 5/6 and can use a 2.5 reed with it very easily and you can use lower reeds with it as well.

I use a Vandoren M13 lyre with a 4 1/2 Mitchell Lurie Premium reed and I find this is a great combination - it's what my teacher uses too.

oh~ i forget to mention it : )

it was made by vandoren B45 profile 88

Appassionnata

4 1/2 !!! goodness you must have some force ! I've never heard of Mitchell Lurie - do they sell them in England ?

Just looked them up on the net - I'll have to try some !!

Hi trudihiggins,

I've had a bit of a mouthpiece changeover lately, so thought I'd let you know what I've found out...

I was using my dodgy with-the-clarinet Yamaha mouthpiece for a while, until my teacher pointed out how awful it was. I then changed to a Vandoren B45. This was better, but I still couldn't seem to play all that clearly around the throat notes.

My teacher suggested again that i might change this (by now I had already upgraded to a Buffet RC clarinet), so went shopping in John Myatt in Hitchin, and finally ettled (after trying everything - including the rather stranger crystal ones) on an english J & D Hite mouthpiece. It has a remarkably good response, and a very full sound. It cost my £83, but was money well spent. This, coupled with a Francois Louis "champagne top" ligature (look at a picture to see what I mean!) and a good 3 and a half Vandoren reed (and a good humidity level) gives me an ok sound.

My teacher was a bit horrified, because she said the Hite's are too bright - and that's definitely their default with a softer reed. But in my experience the brightness can be controlled by a good reed and a firm top lip. The result is a sound that is free in every register, but also controllable.

Obviously I don't know what your set up is, but if you're looking for a great sound, then don't be shy about spending as much dosh as you can - ultimately, prducing a better sound will spur you on to play with more confidence. And apart from anything, the FL ligature is a real converation-starter!

I hope all that's true, or my LRSM in performance may not go as well as I had hoped....!

Good luck,

glazunov2

glazunov 2
thanks for the ideas, I have recently been given a Vandoren 11.5 which seems to be a super mouthpiece. I play a Buffet Crampon RC and use a "chamber music" ligature I`m not sure of the real name of that ligature, it wraps around the mouthpiece with a single turning tightener !! I don`t know about champagne style ligature, is it the same thing ?
Oh where is Hitchin ?

It's near Cambridge

I use a Vandoren B45 with an Optimum Ligature. FABULOUS!

I use a Vandoren B40 with a Rovner Ligature and size 2.5 Vandoren Rue Lepic 56 reeds

I also use the Vandoren V13 with an Optimum ligature and size 3 Vandoren V12 reeds


Both of them equally beautifully, the latter being used mainly in orchestra and the other mainly for solo recitals, but both can be used for either depending on the tone and sound you are trying to make.