 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dawn
Date: 2000-01-31 13:25
Everyone is telling me to get a beginner clarinet just make sure I have a good mouthpiece and reed. So what is good?
THANKS
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-01-31 16:23
There are lots of other brands of mouthpiece and reed out there, but here are a couple of well known examples of what folks are talking about. Keep in mind that what's mentioned here is what I can remember on the spot. I'm sure you will see many more postings with lots of great information on other brands and models of mouthpiece and reed.
A mouthpiece can be pretty cheap, yet very good at the same time. Check out the Hite brand of mouthpieces. The folks who frequent this BBS have good things to say about the quality of the product and great things to say about the price ($25 or so US retail). Add a 5 unit box of Mitchell Lurie reeds (less than $10 US retail) and you have an excellent setup for a beginner grade horn. Just use a standard metal ligature that you can get for less than $5 (US retail) and you're set.
Intermediate grade horns can do well with a Vandoren mp and Vandoren reeds (either regular or V-12 style). Lots of folks claim to like the Vandoren 5RVLyre and B45 mps and the Vandoren reeds. I personally own each of these mps. They are pretty good products. Expect to pay about $50 to $90 for the mouthpiece and about $16 to $30 or so for the reeds (US retail, best price via mail order or the Internet sources, worst price off the shelf from a small music retail shop).
As for the pro grade stuff, you may not find any consensus anywhere for a single very best anything, but I believe there some superlative mouthpiece makers out there. The names of two prominent US mouthpiece makers, Mr. Smith and Mr. Borbeck, come readily to mind. I personally own a Borbeck pro grade Model 13 mp that was hand finished by Mr. Borbeck. This is a high quality product at a correspondingly high quality price. I believe it's worth every penny. Almost any Frank Kaspar inspired mouthpiece (like Borbeck's products) will be absolutely excellent, especially the ones Kaspar did himself. Be prepared to pay for the premium quality product. The closer you come to actual Kaspar products, the higher the price. Since Mr. Kaspar passed away years ago, his products can command whatever price the market can bear. I won't even venture out on a limb for name dropping brands or models of pro grade reeds. Many pros work on their reeds constantly, taking an ordinary reed out of the box that would be good enough for novices or intermediate players and making it truly perform.
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Author: andrea
Date: 2000-02-01 00:56
if you are just starting out, if that is the case, as long as a sound can be produced, you don't need to really worry about it. use the stock mouthpiece, the one the horn came with, and rico reeds strength 3. it's cheap and won't really make a diffrence as long as there are no chips in the mouthpiece and the reed is ok.
if you are not a begginner vandoren reeds are standard and a mouthpiece is not as important as the reeds. i played on a cheap clarinet and mouthpiece and reeds until i could tell enough of a diffrence to upgrade. you'll know.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2000-02-01 03:53
I got my daughter a Pyne Polycrystal mouthpiece for X-mas. I really didn't expect it to sound any better than the 5rv she was already using because of the price range. Boy was I wrong! As soon as she started usind it my wife and I both noticed a big improvement in her tone. At rehearsal, the others in our community band noticed an inprovement also. I finally pried it away from her to try it on my Buffet. As soon as I get X-mas paid off, I'm getting one for myself.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-01 18:58
andrea wrote:
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if you are just starting out, if that is the case, as long as a sound can be produced, you don't need to really worry about it. use the stock mouthpiece, the one the horn came with, and rico reeds strength 3. it's cheap and won't really make a diffrence as long as there are no chips in the mouthpiece and the reed is ok.
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This is *TERRIBLE* advice. Some beginner mouthpieces are almost unplayable and the student can't even tell. They will just think it is them. About the only stock beginner mouthpiece that is worth a hoot is the one that comes with the Yamaha clarinets. For example, the Bundy mouthpiece is very poor and very sharp (note this is the Bundy mouthpiece not the higher grade Selmer mouthpiece that some Bundy clarinets may come with).
You can get a Hite or Fobes for around $20 and make life much easier for any beginner. Of course the more you are willing to spend, the more choice you have.
Plain Rico reeds sound awful and could discourage the student. I wouldn't even let my dog have them to chew on. They make other reeds that are a whole lot better and don't cost all that much more. Rico Royals are head and shoulders above plain Ricos. Mitchell Lurie is also made by Rico and is an outstanding reed.
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Author: Dave
Date: 2000-02-02 02:09
Dear Dawn,
I am currently in my 6th year of clarinet playing. The standard beginning clarinet mouthpiece is the Vandoren 5RV. If you are truely a beginner, then i recommend you start on the 5RV. However, I play on a Vandoren B45 with Vandoren V12 size 3 reeds. I feel that the B45 has helped extensively in giving me the dark sound that all clarinetists are looking for. The V12 3s add to this dark and smooth tone. If you are a beginner, then start out with softer reeds like a regular vandoren 2 and work your way up. Regular Vandoren 3 1/2s are equivalent to Vandoren V12 3s. It is important to keep in mind that, economic conditions allowing, you should always start with a medium level wood clarinet or better. I recommend the Normandy 4. If you are enjoying the clarinet, then in 3 or 4 years switch to the Buffet R13. However, the above is only my very humble opinion.
So.....here is the final verdict. Normandy 4 or Buffet R13 clarinet. Vandoren B45 mouthpiece. Vandoren V12 size 3 reeds.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-02 04:34
Dave wrote:
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Dear Dawn,
I am currently in my 6th year of clarinet playing. The standard beginning clarinet mouthpiece is the Vandoren 5RV. If you are truely a beginner, then i recommend you start on the 5RV. However, I play on a Vandoren B45 with Vandoren V12 size 3 reeds. I feel that the B45 has helped extensively in giving me the dark sound that all clarinetists are looking for. The V12 3s add to this dark and smooth tone. If you are a beginner, then start out with softer reeds like a regular vandoren 2 and work your way up. Regular Vandoren 3 1/2s are equivalent to Vandoren V12 3s. It is important to keep in mind that, economic conditions allowing, you should always start with a medium level wood clarinet or better. I recommend the Normandy 4. If you are enjoying the clarinet, then in 3 or 4 years switch to the Buffet R13. However, the above is only my very humble opinion.
So.....here is the final verdict. Normandy 4 or Buffet R13 clarinet. Vandoren B45 mouthpiece. Vandoren V12 size 3 reeds.
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This is pretty opinionated for only 6 years of playing.
1. The 5RV is *not* the standard beginner mouthpiece. Some instructors like it and some do not. There are a variety of good ones around. The 5RV may be a bit too closed for many beginners and the recommended minimum reed strength for the 5RV is a regular Vandoren 3.5 or equivalent. Thus the standard beginner's strength reeds are too soft for it. The B45 is a bit more open and is better suited for a somewhat softer reed and is extremely popular for these very reasons. And of course if cost is an issue there are mouthpieces like the Hite or Fobes.
2. A Vandoren number 3 or Vandoren V12 number 3 is probably too hard for the majority of beginners. Down around a number 2 in these would be better. Personally I would recommend Mitchell Lurie 2.5 for a beginner (these run softer to start with). Although they tend to have a short life, they are more manageable right out of the box without a break-in period. The approach is to keep these types of details as simple as possible for someone just starting out.
3. The plastic clarinets by the four major makers are pretty good with a decent mouthpiece and reed and are a very inexpensive way to start. They are rugged and durable. This is a much better choice for children and even many adults as they may prefer the easier care for a plastic instrument. Also it allows the student time to develop a feel for the clarinet so they can do a better job of selecting an instrument when it comes time to upgrade.
4. Once a person is ready to upgrade their instrument, they should play and test a variety of clarinets for themselves. There are several very fine intermediate and professional grade instruments. Each of them has their advantages and disadvantages. Different people will have different preferences. Each instrument will have its proponents. To arbitrarily say get horn xxx or yyy is a bit misleading. Not every one will like a Normandy or a Buffet R-13 or whatever.
Each of us could lay down dictates and they would all be different. For example if I were advising a beginner, I would recommend (note that I say recommend *not* tell them what to buy) a Vito clarinet, either the Vandoren B45, Hite or Fobes mouthpiece, and Mitchell Lurie #2.5 reeds. Other people would recommend different but equally valid setups.
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Author: M. Brand
Date: 2000-02-03 05:11
Everyone is telling me to get a beginner clarinet just make sure I have a good mouthpiece and reed. So what is good?
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Dawn,
Dee's comments are spot on.
I started my daughter on a Vandoren B45 with a Mitchell Laurie #2.5. This combination worked well for her first year. I now believe the Hite Premier is a little friendlier (and cheaper) for the new student, but either mouthpiece works well. Both the Mitchell Laurie or Rico Royals #2.5 will produce reasonable results for a beginner. Chose the one "you" like the best.
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