 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: paker
Date: 2008-12-10 00:08
I need to buy a mouthpiece for my old Vito Bb clarinet. Someone recommended Vandoren M15 from wwbw. My problem is I cannot tell which one to buy, Profile 88, Traditional, series 13, A442, A440. Will someone kindly tell me which one I should buy?
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Author: clariknight
Date: 2008-12-10 00:22
WWBW allows you to try four mouthpieces at a time. My recomendation: take them up on that offer. Try out the Profile 88, the Traditional, and the series 13. (A442 and A440 refer to the pitch, wherein A=440hz vs. A=442hz. 440 is more commonly used in the U.S., whereas A=442 is more commonly used in Europe. I see you are in Orlando, so I would suggest sticking with the A=440, although you can still play the 442 in tune.) After all that, you can still try out another one. I recommend ordering a 5RVlyre as well. Try these out WITH your teacher. Find the one that has th best balance of comfort and sound. Send the other three back.
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-12-10 00:22
440. It is very unlikely that your high school or middle school band tunes to A442, so go with the 440.
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Author: cxgreen48
Date: 2008-12-10 00:47
I use a Prof. 88 M30 and it tunes fine to 440. If I start getting sharp, I just pull out less than 1 mm at the barrel/upper joint area.
I've heard the 13 series actually plays flatter than 440.
Try the Trad., Prof. 88, and 13 series if you can.
I also recommend ordering from weinermusic since because the mouthpieces each cost about $10 less than WWBW. Weinermusic also lets you have a 30 day mouthpiece trial policy. The returning, cleaning fees are also a lot less than WWBW.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2008-12-10 01:13
Previous suggestions are all good. If you are indeed in or near Orlando, as your ISP address suggests, you might want to go to a Sam Ash store. The M15 and M30 mouthpieces are all under $70. You probably have to try them in the store. I tried (and bought) an M15 last week in Manhattan. I had been playing an M13 Lyre, which I still like. But the M15 seemed a bit more centered. Nice sound, easy to play. Do check with your teacher.
Post Edited (2008-12-10 01:15)
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Author: paker
Date: 2008-12-10 02:42
Thank you for answering my question. I think I owe you a brief explanation. I don't have a teacher and don't know how to play. I just bought a used clarinet without a mouthpiece. Since I have to have a mouthpiece, I might as well buy a rubber. Even if a music store offered tryout, I wouldn't be able to make any notes.
Yes, I live in Orlando. The only music store I know is where my daughters took piano lessons. I will locate Sam Ash and also check weinermusic. Thank you. Oh, by the way, I am 57 years old and will not play in a band. Just to play some hymns and songs as a hobby. I self taught flute a while but fell in love with clarinet sound. I know I will not advance to wooden clarinet.
I asked a clarinet expert at allexperts.com (?) to tell me what to buy rather than making me choose one from many. She said to buy Vandoren M15, Vandoren blue box #2.5 reed, and Bonade ligature (based on her experience with her students). Simple enough. But I didn't know I would have to choose again. I couldn't go back to her since she was maxed out.
From your replies, I gather that 440 or 442 is not determined by the clarinet body but by the mouthpiece. I will buy Profile 88 M15. Since the metronome my daughters used to use has A440 tone, I might as well buy A440 mouthpiece. Thanks. By the way, M15 is 1.03mm long facing.
One thing I am not sure is Vandoren chart shows reed #3.5/4/5 for M15. Will I be fine with #2.5? Thanks.
By the way, I forgot to mention this. Thanks for recommending others such as M30, M13 Lyre, 5RV Lyre. I don't have the skill or knowledge to try these out. If you think one of these will be better than M15 for my use, please let me know.
Post Edited (2008-12-10 03:09)
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2008-12-10 05:13
Ah, so you're just starting out! Well, the Vandorens are fine mouthpieces but if you've never played, don't spend $70 or more on something you can't evaluate.
You'll save yourself time, money and frustration if you buy something like a Fobes Debut or Hite Premiere mouthpiece. These should be readily available at Sam Ash, or through Fred Weiner, WWBW or other on-line outfits.
If I recall correctly, the Fobes Debut is about $30 and the Hite is about $20. I'd choose the Fobes, though both are widely recommended student mouthpieces and are designed to help a beginner play with ease. Start with a No. 2 or No. 2 1/2 reed, tops. Check the search function on this bulletin board for more on these mouthpieces.
It would be useful to get a lesson or two before you spend any money.
I'd wave you away from a Vandoren mouthpiece, at least for now. As for reed strength, the Vandoren chart offers suggestions, but you can certainly play on softer reeds. The mouthpieces mentioned earlier--M13, 15 and 30-- are designed to allow for easy playing with stronger reeds, which often improve the voicing of the higher notes, for example. But first, you have to be able to play those notes.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2008-12-10 05:41
Since you are just starting I recommend a mouthpiece like Yamaha 4C or Fobes Debut. For a start I would try to find a local store that would sell you reeds in singles, and buy really soft ones like 1.5 or 2 (maybe some 2.5 too). Rico reeds are less expensive than Vandoren and will be good. New Bonade ligatures I've tried had serious problems (poorly built). Here is an excellent ligature I like that isn't very expensive http://www.wwbw.com/Vandoren-Master's-Series-Clarinet-Ligatures-i80178.music Make sure you buy a ligature for Bb clarinet!
440, 442 or any pitch, is determined by the player, the mouthpiece and the clarinet. Basically the combination. No mouthpiece or instrument have an exact pitch (regardless of what the company claims) until they are combined with a specific player. Don't be bothered by all that for now. I don't recommend a "flat" (i.e. Vandoren 13 series) mouthpiece unless you check, preferably with a good player/teacher, that it isn't too flat. I'd stick with the cheaper alternative above.
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