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Metal Mouthpieces

Author: cameimaj
Date: 2009-03-15 14:06

I'm interested in purchasing a new mouthpiece (for jazz use) and i was wondering what metal mouthpieces have to offer. i know they are quite hard to come by but i was wondering whats available? what sound they give? and any experiences with them?

thanks.

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Re: Metal Mouthpieces

Author: Molloy
Date: 2009-03-15 18:30

I have a Rovner and a Sugal that are of fairly recent manufacture. They are unplayable, or at least I've never found a compatible reed for either of them.

I have a few Selmers from 1930ish. Only one of them is useable, the others need restoration. That one plays ok, it can be really loud and a little brassy if I want it to be, but I don't like it enough to use it much.

Metal mouthpieces are heavy. They noticeably alter the weight and balance of the clarinet.

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Re: Metal Mouthpieces

Author: fuzzystradjazz
Date: 2009-03-15 20:18

cameimaj;

I own an old Selmer HS** metal mouthpiece. It is in nearly perfect condition (I can't find any flaws); however, I don't play it. The sound is very harsh compared to the sound I am looking for. I'm sure it plays as it was designed to play, but it totally misses the wonderful warm sound that I am after. In fact, while giving tons of power - it really gives the clarinet on overall "plastic clarinet" sound for me.

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Re: Metal Mouthpieces

Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2009-03-16 12:24

Cameimaj,

In case you're a saxophonist (so am I), I've found it's best to approach the clarinet as a clarinetist rather than try to transfer your saxophone concepts to the clarinet. Other than both being reed instrument and having a few fingerings in common, they are different instruments and need to be approached on their own terms.

If you do some research on the great jazz clarinetists throughout the history of jazz, I don't think that you'll find one who used a metal mouthpiece on clarinet. At least, I cannot think of any who did. Even if one used a metal mouthpiece on saxophone, he typically used a hard rubber piece on clarinet.

There are a number of threads on this form and the Sax On The Web Forum where various discussions have taken place about recommendations for mouthpieces by doublers and jazz players.

Roger

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