 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: miclew
Date: 2011-12-12 22:35
Since I am new on the board I spent a lot of time yesterday reading the old posts and I am amazed to see how many people buy MPs for their clarinets. Does anyone actually use the MP their clarinet came with?
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2011-12-12 22:42
From the evidence of the many clarinets that have passed through my workshop I would say that at least 90% of beginners do but very few who use intermediate or professional level instruments.
With bass clarinets I do see some Selmer pro models still coming in with a Selmer mouthpiece, presumably the one that was sold with it.
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Author: Maria P
Date: 2011-12-12 23:09
I tried the Yamaha mp that came with my Yamaha YCL450 - but won't be using it with it. For the next month or so I'm still using my Sonata student clarinet - but as soon as I bought that and tried the mp I knew I wanted to change it.
I invested in a Selmer mp and it's so much better - so will use that with my Yamaha clarinet when I start playing it.
Maria
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Author: denkii
Date: 2011-12-12 23:24
I used to play an "Armstrong" clarinet with its stock mouthpiece and man when I switched did it make a difference (to a B45 btw).
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-12-12 23:27
It might be better to ask if there are any clarinets that come with good mouthpieces. I can think of two instances off hand. A Leblanc Concerto of mine came with the Eddie Daniels Nr2..... a very fine mouthpiece (whatever happened to production of that one????). And the Wurlitzer's come with their own mouthpieces. Though many players find alternatives to those, there are many who play on the Wurlitzer mouthpieces which are perfectly good mouthpieces.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: djphay
Date: 2011-12-12 23:41
Yes, but when you buy Peter Eatons you get to choose! :-D
I see a lot of my fellow amateurs in wind band play the stock Buffet mouthpiece. I'd be very surprised if there were professionals who use stock mouthpieces, although I understand selmer paris mouthpieces are pretty decent...
David
Rank amateur
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Author: RJShaw0
Date: 2011-12-13 01:34
My Tosca came with the lovely stock Buffet mouthpiece, which is the most interesting doorstop one could ever have.
RJS
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Author: Loliver
Date: 2011-12-13 16:30
I have a Yamaha CSV and I use the Yamaha 4c that came with it. When I had my E13, yes the mouthpiece was a pile of ____, so I tried loads of mouthpieces, like 15+, and ended up with the Yamaha 4c being the best...the one that happened to come with my CSV! and yes, when I got my CSV I did go through the process all over again, and it was still the best mouthpiece.
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2011-12-13 18:20
The Buffet mouthpiece that came with my Bb from 2004 was pretty much a joke. It does not even compare with my Hawkins R.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-12-13 18:52
The last "maker-supplied" mouthpiece I ever used came when I got my first R13 back in 1973. It worked wonderfully for marching band with my Bundy, where quality of sound was not a big issue. Since then, I have been spoiled by custom mouthpieces from David Hite, Ted Lane, Walter Grabner and Gregory Smith.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: davyd
Date: 2011-12-14 17:51
When I got my first clarinet, a Selmer Signet, it included an HS* mouthpiece. When I sold the Selmer to buy the Buffet I now have, I kept the mouthpiece. Is it worth using? (I'm currently using a Van Doren B45.)
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2011-12-14 18:16
I remember liking my HS*. It's lost though. They're an expensive mouthpiece now, so maybe try some others in addition to your Vandoren, but stick with it if you enjoy your sound on the vandoren over the HS*.
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Author: Philcoman
Date: 2011-12-14 20:41
When I decided to stop renting and told my teacher I was buying a clarinet, she said, "Great! Let's talk about which mouthpieces you might want to try." Using the stock mouthpiece wasn't even a question. And when I tried the stock mouthpiece I realized why. Every few years ever since I've pulled out that mouthpiece and tried it again. It's still lousy.
"If you want to do something, you do it, and handle the obstacles as they come." --Benny Goodman
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2012-01-02 04:55
I actually played the Gigliotti mouthpiece that came with one of my Selmer 10G s back when I was in college.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2012-01-02 09:40
Student Yamahas come with the Yamaha C4, which is an excellent student mouthpiece, and is still used by many more advanced players.
Quote
"When I got my first clarinet, a Selmer Signet, it included an HS* mouthpiece. When I sold the Selmer to buy the Buffet I now have, I kept the mouthpiece. Is it worth using? (I'm currently using a Van Doren B45.)"
The HS* is a good match for the Signet for most people. It may not be a good match on your Buffet. Hard to say, too many variables. Try it and see.
Quote
"I tried the Yamaha mp that came with my Yamaha YCL450 - but won't be using it with it. For the next month or so I'm still using my Sonata student clarinet - but as soon as I bought that and tried the mp I knew I wanted to change it.
I invested in a Selmer mp and it's so much better - so will use that with my Yamaha clarinet when I start playing it."
Personally, I found the various Selmer mouthpieces that I have to be an unsatisfactory match with Yamaha clarinets. A VD B45 works well on them. Your experience may differ. Again, too many variables.
Tony F.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2012-01-02 10:53
I recently bought an old Paris- made clarinet. It came with a crystal mouthpiece and I do use it.........with my R13.
Bob Draznik
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Author: grannybflat
Date: 2012-01-02 11:25
When I bought my first clarinet, a cheapie plastic from China because I didn't know whether I would like it or not, I used the mouthpiece that came with it, then when I bought my Selmer I couldn't believe the superiority of the MP that came with that but then I bought a Yamaha 4C to go with it and am even more impressed and now I'm in a quandry because I want to try other MPs but I know my husband will have a fit if I start filling the boat with MPs, we can't have two of us with GAS and he collects guitars!! NO ROOM!
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Author: miclew
Date: 2012-01-02 13:12
I totally don't get it. You would think that a clarinet that costs $2000+ would have a good MP!
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-01-02 13:57
Dear Miclew,
I think I see what you originally meant.
There are several factors at work here. The very first clarinets made most likely had their own mouthpieces. These days it's clear that everyone has their own taste, such as two people using the same mouthpiece probably don't even use the same strength reed. The other prominent factor is that making a wood body cylinder with holes in it is different from the discipline of making a hard rubber cone that accepts a flat piece of grass to one side. The enticement for others to make this a market is OVERWHELMING....... and a boon to all of us who WANT are own thing.
I wrote of Wurlitzer above and that's a great example today. If you look at Germanic companies of today, they still manufacture their own mouthpieces which they recommend and many fine players use (Hammerschmidt is another good example). But even the German's have their specialty makers of fine mouthpieces - schade. Oh, and their clarinet's are closer to $10,000 US dollars a piece by the way.
.................Paul Aviles
Post Edited (2012-01-02 13:59)
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2012-01-02 14:02
At a high-90-degree Farenheit, blindingly sunny outdoor concert, I decided to use my stock Buffet mp. The sound wasn't great (we were all about to pass out anyway) but, man, I could blast out my part with minimum effort...not ideal, I know.
I recently switched a beginner student from her Vito mp to a Fobes Debut mp. The improvement in her sound was remarkable. Even her non-musician mother was impressed.
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2012-01-02 16:49
Grannyb: it takes a LOT of mouthpieces to fill the space of one guitar!
How about putting them in one of the guitars? ;^)
Laurie (he/him)
Post Edited (2012-01-02 16:51)
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2012-01-03 01:06
RJShaw, if they can sell clarinets turned into lamps on "that auction site," I don't see why you couldn't turn around stock mps and sell them as door stops for twice their inherent value.
(Thinking of selling my old reeds at a local state park campground for fire kindling...)
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Author: The Watcher
Date: 2012-01-04 06:40
According to the Yamaha web site the CSV comes with a 4CM mouthpiece not the 4C which comes with the YCL-250.
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Author: The Watcher
Date: 2012-01-15 08:07
I now have a Vandoren M13 88 and love it. The difference in sound from both my Yamaha 250 and my Normandy 4 is amazing. Though I still use the Yamaha 4C occasionally with the 250. I also find the M13 easier to blow than the others.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2012-01-15 10:26
The Yamaha 4CM mouthpiece is machined from ebonite like all top quality mouthpieces as opposed to the 4C which is made from moulded phenol resin.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Mikeskuse
Date: 2012-01-16 16:46
In the thread "Big Problem" 2012/01/12, I asked about the way my clarinet seizes up after a bit because (I reckon) of all the spit I produce. The reed clamps itself to the MP and thats that till I dry it out. Someone suggested a new MP - can anyone suggest what might solve this problem for me (please please). Notes above the break are impossible after say 5 minutes of playing. I am trying stronger reeds but I fear that won't solve the problem. A new MP might be the answer, but which one? I don't have a lot of money!
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Author: TJTG
Date: 2012-01-16 20:12
Your problem may very well be too soft of reed. If the opening on the mouthpiece is too closed off a soft reed will likely seal up because it is so easy to do so. A harder may be harder to play for the first 5 minutes, but will then play better after 5 minutes.
Reed strength doesn't exactly correlate to how advanced a player you are. If it did all professionals would be on 5's, right? You simply have to find the correct strength for your mouthpiece.
Also, look at your reeds when they are dry. If they are not straight, and rather curved, you may be a biter. So your biting may possibly be closing off the reed over time. In that case your reeds are possibly fine and your embouchure needs a second look.
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