I wanted to feel more in control, perhaps it would have helped if I used a V12 3.5 reed, which I think actually plays harder than Blue Box 3.5, or should I say seems to have a stronger spine which allows it to take more beating/ air. So you can bet I did not sound very good today.Р”Р„s successful the RR was with the Grofe (which goes from the clarion to the chalumeau), it did not yield me the same success with the Shostakovich Violin Concerto excerpt, which is pretty fast and a mix of sixteenth runs and articulated eighth notes in the low register. Whether itРІР‚в„ўs E-flat, B-flat, A, or Bass clarinet, I seem to lean toward med-open to open tip mouthpieces with a long(ish) lay, and when I go to mouthpieces with smaller tip opening, I often find myself lose control and kind of sqwonk (kind of like squeaking but more comical like I donРІР‚в„ўt actually play the clarinet) when I try to use more air.

Ok so I might as well just tell you now, I went and tried all these mouthpieces today basically to be able to play Grofe really well, all the time, especially switching right away from B-flat/ A. I was very impressed, because this is one excerpt that B50 seems to always lose on, especially in auditions, when you might be asked to play it as the first bass clarinet excerpt after playing Brahms 3 on the Bb or something. I played the Grand Canyon Suite (Grofe), cold and boom, the notes came out loud and proud. I did not really feel comfortable on the first RR, so I went right away to the second RR, which was much more playable for me. I tried two RRРІР‚в„ўs today, because RR mouthpiece was the main reason I was there at the store- I thought I might buy one (after a recommendation from a friend). Today I used a 3.5 Traditional reed, because I knew some of these mouthpieces are more closed in tip opening. And no, surprisingly I am not sponsored by Vandoren. 2.15) mouthpiece with a V12 3 reed set up. Okay so before I talk about all this I should mention, I come from a Vandoren B50 (t.o. I will go ahead and guess Ron Reuben,Р’В assuming Ronald Reagan didnРІР‚в„ўt play the clarinet in a significant way. I am assuming the RR is named after a person whose personal facing became the model standard. But letРІР‚в„ўs stop there and go back to the bass clarinet mouthpieces. They seem to embodyР’В nice old school overtones and unique sounds, with excellent intonation and impeccable response. I have personally seen more people using his B-flat clarinet barrels and e-flat clarinet extensions than his mouthpieces, but I have definitely seen them and have played on his b-flat clarinet mouthpieces before. РІР‚СљRRРІР‚Сњ- San Francisco-based Clark Fobes is one of the most well-known mouthpiece makers today. My personal mouthpiece (Vandoren B50) was valued at $136 USD when I bought it new.Р”В¬lark Fobes San Francisco Bass Clarinet Mouthpieces On my 2014 Buffet Prestige 1193 Bass Clarinet, with 3 1/2 Vandoren BBР’В Traditional reed. Robert Borbeck Bass Clarinet Mouthpiece ($185 USD)

Richard Hawkins Bass Clarinet Mouthpiece ($295 USD) Here we go!Р”В¬lark Fobes San Francisco Bass Clarinet Mouthpieces ($295 USD) IРІР‚в„ўm kind of busy these days as I am still traveling so I thought I would wait until I wrote this, but maybe I should write it while itРІР‚в„ўs fresh. This morning I went to a local music store here in New York City and I had the opportunity to try some mouthpieces that IРІР‚в„ўve wanted to try for a few years now.

Bundy bass clarinet mouthpiece 3