Hi there,
I'v been playing tenor and soprano saxophone for a few years. I delved into bass clarinet less than two years ago but haven't practiced it much. Recently I started playing clarinet methodically (with my woodwind instructor) and I'm hoping to grow in this new path.
I have a Signet wooden clarinet that my instructor that is also a repairman rebuilt it. I found that the clarinet is a bit stuffy sounding unless I keep pushing the air (not as effortless as saxophone). It might be to do with the nature of the instrument. I played brand new clarinets at the music store and with the same mouthpiece it sounded a bit easier to get that buzzy clear sound but not much different overall. I tried a Vandoren B45 on both my clarinet and the music store's brand new clarinet. It sounded much easier to play B45 mouthpiece and also easier to get clear tone on both clarinets. Again the store clarinet was a tad more clear sounding (more buzz, sort of brighter, it was a plastic clarinet I think so it might be to do with the nature of the acoustics or tighter seal on the pads, I don't know).
Anyway, I liked the fact that I can put less pressure on my chest and don't feel exhausted after half an hour blowing through the clarinet with the wider tip opening.
So I'm in the haunt for a clarinet mouthpiece (can be used / vintage ones too especially I heard older hard rubber mouthpieces have nicer resonant sound) and definitely I like to get something with at least medium to open tip opening. I don't necessarily follow the path of perfection for the classical tone. I play jazz with my saxophone and probably that will be my path for future of clarinet playing too. Basically something with nice and resonating quality, relatively free blowing, have a decently centred and warm tone, prices wise I was thinking probably I should do at least about a 100 dollars investment so I get something that I can carry through the few years to come for intermediate level as well.
I appreciate your suggestions.
Thanks.
I'v been playing tenor and soprano saxophone for a few years. I delved into bass clarinet less than two years ago but haven't practiced it much. Recently I started playing clarinet methodically (with my woodwind instructor) and I'm hoping to grow in this new path.
I have a Signet wooden clarinet that my instructor that is also a repairman rebuilt it. I found that the clarinet is a bit stuffy sounding unless I keep pushing the air (not as effortless as saxophone). It might be to do with the nature of the instrument. I played brand new clarinets at the music store and with the same mouthpiece it sounded a bit easier to get that buzzy clear sound but not much different overall. I tried a Vandoren B45 on both my clarinet and the music store's brand new clarinet. It sounded much easier to play B45 mouthpiece and also easier to get clear tone on both clarinets. Again the store clarinet was a tad more clear sounding (more buzz, sort of brighter, it was a plastic clarinet I think so it might be to do with the nature of the acoustics or tighter seal on the pads, I don't know).
Anyway, I liked the fact that I can put less pressure on my chest and don't feel exhausted after half an hour blowing through the clarinet with the wider tip opening.
So I'm in the haunt for a clarinet mouthpiece (can be used / vintage ones too especially I heard older hard rubber mouthpieces have nicer resonant sound) and definitely I like to get something with at least medium to open tip opening. I don't necessarily follow the path of perfection for the classical tone. I play jazz with my saxophone and probably that will be my path for future of clarinet playing too. Basically something with nice and resonating quality, relatively free blowing, have a decently centred and warm tone, prices wise I was thinking probably I should do at least about a 100 dollars investment so I get something that I can carry through the few years to come for intermediate level as well.
I appreciate your suggestions.
Thanks.