 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: superjohn64
Date: 2008-12-25 20:06
I am currently in college, playing in the orchestra. I play a Buffet B12 clarinet, with standard mouthpiece. My director told me to find a new and better mouthpiece. I have played on this current mouthpiece since I first got the instrument 10 years ago and hadn't thought of purchasing a new one until now. Any recommendations on what to get? I am going to head to my local music store to test out mouthpieces but I need to know which I'm interested in, as well as what to look for when testing.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-12-25 20:56
try a Vandoren M13 lyre
consider an upgrade to something better than a B12 as well
but first and foremost, take a few private lessons with with GOOD pvt teacher for the best advice
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: leonardA
Date: 2008-12-25 21:10
I know that there are several popular Vadoren models. I love my M30. Very focused and easy blowing. Try out a few different ones.
Leonard
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Author: Ed
Date: 2008-12-26 02:04
I like those made by Clark Fobes. The San Francisco line are excellent. If you want to spend a bit less, look at his Nova models which are great.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2008-12-26 02:52
This is always so hard to answer at a distance. It depends to an extent on how much you're willing or able to spend. Walter Grabner makes excellent mouthpieces, as do several other custom makers, but they are relatively expensive and you won't find them in local stores (although many are available from web/catalog outlets like WW&BW, Weiner, Muncy Winds and others). Vandorens are serviceable, cost less than $100 and will be an improvement on the stock mouthpiece that came with the B12. Gigliotti mouthpieces are also readily available, cost around $100 and produce very good results but have facings that for some players take a little getting used to. Fobes and Hite (two custom makers) make mouthpieces in a lower price bracket - under $50, I think - that are aimed at the student market but will probably be improvements on what you now are using.
I'd second two pieces of advice you've already gotten:
(1) Consider upgrading your instrument. Even a Buffet E11 or E12 would be an improvement on the B12 (isn't that an entry-level model?) if you can't think about an R-13 or an equivalent Yamaha, Selmer or Leblanc.
(2) Find a good clarinet teacher and take at least a few lessons - he or she can (or should) make recommendations that will be based on what you are actually producing on your clarinet. Online folk can only tell you what we use (and like), which may not really get at whatever improvement your orchestra director is hoping to encourage.
Good luck.
Karl
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Author: shmuelyosef
Date: 2008-12-26 04:40
I'm surprised that nobody asked what your director wanted different from your current sound/fluency. Did he/she give you any guidance about what type of 'change' in the outcome was desired?
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Author: Rob Vitale
Date: 2008-12-26 05:26
Vandoren B40 is my mouth piece of choice. Has a full bodied sound, good projection and a focused sound for cutting over those string players....hehe. Good luck, mouth piece shopping can be fun, or quite the opposite. It also helps to take another clarinet player with you for a second opinion.
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2008-12-26 13:56
First sort out your best reeds. Then...
make a trip to a big store and try everything they'll let you! (A phone call in advance is advisable).
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Author: BobD
Date: 2008-12-26 21:04
Does your Director know anything about clarinets....or mouthpieces? Why does he want you to change?
Bob Draznik
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2008-12-27 12:37
Hi.......... please give thought to the replies from shmuelvosef and Bob D.
And here is something else to consider-
Many years ago I watched a music teacher persuading a young beginner to return the mouthpiece that the shop had sold her and buy a much more expensive one.
On their departure, the assistant (fuming) told me that the teacher received a kick-back on all sales initiated by her.
So just watch it....................... H&P
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Author: huff n' puff
Date: 2008-12-27 12:58
Hi, again......... and don't dump your B12 too hastily. It may be regarded as an entry level instrument, but what will you get in addition by spending another few hundred pound/dollars?
Are you having any tuning difficulties with the B12?
As I played against a well tuned piano I began to be critical of some very slightly flat notes, and since it was just a plastic clarinet that cost me £69, I decided to do something about it. A few hours work with nothing more than a 3mm dia file and the tuning problems disappeared. I now have a clarinet that plays (as far as I am concerned) in good tune from bottom E to the top of the clarion reg, and I have no intention of swopping it for any wooden instrument. It is like a new clarinet!
Another point in it's favour is that the dreaded Bb is as good as you'll get.
If it is a tuning problem, please let me know and we can compare notes. (sorry about that).
And....... why are there so many complaints about tuning from owners of expensive clarinets?................... H&P
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