 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ShinyKeys
Date: 2007-10-01 15:44
Hi, all. I'm re-aquainting myself with my old Selmer Bb clarinet, and need some advice on mouthpieces:
My current mouthpiece seems Ok, but I've been buying a lot of new accessories now that I'm getting back into playing, and I thought it might be time for a new mouthpiece.
As I mentioned, I probably won't be playing at Carnegie Hall anytime soon, yet I'm beyond 'beginner' level, so can you make any reccommendations on a good mouthpiece for a player of my level? Are there some brands or types that should be avoided? What are the pros and cons of the different materials?
Gosh, so much has changed, and so many new products are out there since the last time I tooted away on this thing! Any help will be greatly appreciated.
~Rosy
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Author: Kruzi
Date: 2007-10-01 18:21
Hi!
Well, you should take a look at the new Vandoren mouthpieces, especially the M13, which is IMHO one of the best stock mouthpieces around today and was designed after some old Chedeville blanks.
Any clarinetist, even a bloody Beginner, can only benefit from a good mouthpiece (as well as a good and reliable instrument of course).
I have learned this lesson myself when I lost the cheapo mouthpiece that came with my student clarinet and had to buy a new one. I bought a nice Hammerschmidt mouthpiece that was recommended among the professional clarinetists of its`time. This remarkably improved my playing and tone. I never thought that a mouthpiece could have such a big influence on the tone projection and playability of a clarinet. But it has.
So good luck in finding "the" mouthpiece for yourself - and lots of patience, too:-)
Greetings,
Kruzi
Take what you`ve got and make the best of it!
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Author: srattle
Date: 2007-10-01 18:53
I'm very happy with my Viotto mouthpiece, although I've heard from other people that Viotto hasn't worked for them. You have to go and try somethings out. If you know someone who is a professional clarinetist, maybe ask them to come with you, and help you find something that works for you.
I would also say, if you haven't played clarinet for a while, and are just starting back, to work up your chops a little before buying a new mpc. You might find that what you like now would not be what you would like in 2 months.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2007-10-01 18:58
Not any which are unsymmetrical, just for starters. As always, try before buy. I check facings with Morgan's equipment. All makes and models vary considerably, with minimum quality control.
richard smith
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2007-10-01 20:04
The best way to choose a mouthpeice is to play every one you can get your hands on, and see which one works best for you.
No two mouthpieces play exactly the same even if they are the same brand and model.
Vandoren's are good ones to start with becuse they have many models, with information on tip openings and lay lengths available. They are also cheaper than custom made ones.
After you have played a large number of mouthpieces you will see patterns as to what type works for you. As an example I prefer close tips and long lays.
Once you have zeroed in on general type you prefer, if your pocketbook can handle it then have one custom made.
Maybe I'm not typical, but I prefer Vandoren M-15, M-14, M-13 over some of the ones made by custom makers.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2007-10-01 21:21
Rosy,
I was in the same place as you when I came back to playing in 2001 after a 20+ year break. I felt like Rip Van Winkle waking up and was AMAZED at all of the different mouthpieces, reeds, and ligatures on the market. It took me a period of time to begin to get a handle on all of the options. This Forum and the Sax on the Web Forum were a big help to me. Along with that it came down to trying different mouthpieces and equipment. Over time I found the pieces that really do it for me.
One thing you might do is to try the "student" mouthpieces made by Walter Grabner and Clark Fobes. They are hand-made mouthpieces that are less expensive than Grabner and Fobes' top-of-the-line models. It's hard to go wrong with Grabner or Fobes mouthpieces.
Good luck!
Roger
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-10-01 22:15
Which is best?
The one that works for YOU.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: ShinyKeys
Date: 2007-10-01 22:33
...Wow! I see what you mean about asking 10 different musicians and getting 10 different answers. I tend to identify with that "Rip Van Winkle" comment, too...LOL! It's all good, though, and I appreciate all the help.
I seem to be leaning toward the Vandorens, but which one? What I'm looking for is a mouthpiece that gives a lovely sound and is really easy to blow. I'm not into this professionally or anything, so a dark, booming sound isn't that much of a concern to me. I just want something that makes it easy to produce pleasant-sounding music for my own enjoyment. (funny the things that turn us on as we grow older).
Even if I decide on one of the Vandorens, there are several, so is there any particular model that will suit my needs? If I go with another brand, is there a certain shape or cut of mouthpiece that will produce this easy type of blow I'm looking for?
Thanks again for all your help.
~Rosy
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2007-10-01 22:39
> I see what you mean about asking 10 different musicians and getting 10
> different answers.
Hmm. That's unusual. Normally the yield is more than 10 different answers. ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
--
Ben
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Author: davyd
Date: 2007-10-02 00:38
Some time ago, I went through the Woodwind & Brasswind catalog and counted how many different clarinet mouthpieces they sell. By my count, there are 38 different brands, available in a total of 81 different models, with a total of 246 different facings. For example: there are 6 models of Pyne mouthpieces: Symphonic (choice of 3 facings), Bel Canto, Signature, and Traditional (2 facings each), Poly, and Sinfonia (1 facing each).
How is anyone supposed to make sense of all this? Take into account all the different ligatures and reeds available, and you could search for a "best" setup forever.
It's even worse with saxophones. For tenor sax in particular, there are something like 51 different brands, available in 199 different models, with 966 different facings, again with numerous ligature and reed choices.
WW&BW sends out a new catalog every few months, with more new options every time. What's a reedman to do?
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-10-02 01:35
Quote:
How is anyone supposed to make sense of all this? Take into account all the different ligatures and reeds available, and you could search for a "best" setup forever.
and that does not even take into consideration the number of custom makers out there that are not represented in the WWBW catalog!
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Author: Chauncey
Date: 2007-10-02 01:55
Mayhaps a Vandoren 5RV would be something to look into. It's rather easy to get used to and work with.
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Author: ShinyKeys
Date: 2007-10-02 02:23
OK, so now: Open, close, or medium? Which one produces which type of sound? Also, what does "long" refer to regarding the sound quality?
Yikes. <clutching head> Thanks again, folks!
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Author: Ed
Date: 2007-10-02 02:50
You may wish to read Tom Ridenour's articles on the subject to get a start:
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/facings.htm
http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/interior.htm
Post Edited (2007-10-02 02:51)
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2007-10-02 02:54
In the Vandoren line stay away from more open such as B46 etc . This type of mouthpiece would be more work to play. Bigger sound but not consistent with what you are looking for. Long is usual with more open mouthpieces . What it does for for a medium mouthpiece is not a real factor for you here. I would recommend 5RV and B40. Recently, I ordered a David Weber barrel from Robert Dilutis in Rochester. He might be a good resource person for you as he is a Vandoren performer and does some touching up as well. He has a website and is quite friendly.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: C2thew
Date: 2007-10-02 04:55
-well first you kind of have to state your budget as there are mouthpieces that range from $49.99 to $500 +
-your preference in playing (open, medium open, closed) or a combination of both
-Reed strength most comfortable with
-a good ligature that will have to compliment the mouthpiece.
people really aren't naming names as it is super general question. if you get a refacer to fix a mouthpiece, it could play better then X mouthpiece but not as good as Y mouthpiece.
Our inventions are wont to be pretty toys, which distract our attention from serious things. they are but improved means to an unimproved end, an end which was already but too easy to arrive as railroads lead to Boston to New York
-Walden; Henry Thoreau
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Author: ElBlufer
Date: 2007-10-02 12:51
Also, know that no specific mouthpiece will have the same qualities no-matter who plays it. Each mouthpiece will produce a different tone and timbre depending on who is playing it. This is why it is essential to try mouthpieces until the one that is right for YOU.
My Setup:
R13 Clarinet (Ridenour Lyrique as my backup/marching instrument)
Walter Grabner K11 mouthpiece
Rico Reserve 3.5's
Bonade ligature
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Author: marshall
Date: 2007-10-02 13:16
the thing about "stock" (mass-produced) mouthpieces like Vandorens is they vary widely from mouthpiece to mouthpiece. My M13 behaves completely differently from a friend of mine's M13. They can be very good mouthpieces...but you should play a lot of them before you buy one.
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Author: William
Date: 2007-10-02 14:16
When someone finds the best mouthpiece, would you please let me know as I have been searchng for it for the past 50 yrs.
Also, what about that Holy Grail thing..........
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2007-10-02 14:32
I found the best mouthpiece, but unfortunately it was the guy beside me who was playing it.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-10-02 15:14
One thing about the variance in mass produced mouthpieces. In my experiences... Although Vandoren does have variance and no 2 are the same, they are more like eachother than other mass produced mouthpieces and, while some are better than others, I rarely meet one that is really bad- almost all are usable for me (within my model of preferance). That is somethine that I can't say for other mass production brands that go from amaizing to horrid and can have a 25% facing variance.
I feel that they are so accurate that I would be confident to buy a Vandoren sight unseen simply by model number if I for some reason had to do so- ie. I dropped my 'prized' Vandoren and I have to perform in 2 hours.
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