 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bclplyr
Date: 2012-01-19 01:29
Hi all -
I know of a young clarinetist who is looking to upgrade her mouthpiece. (I'm not her teacher - this info is getting passed to me through my sister who lives halfway across the country...) I don't know what grade she's in.
I believe she plays on a Buffet stock mouthpiece that came with an E11 but am not 100% certain. Her mother was asking what mouthpiece would be "the hard rubber equivalent to that mouthpiece". I had already given some suggestions, such as Fobes Debut, but I believe she's asking for something that would have a similar facing/tip opening to what's already being played.
I've tried searching but haven't had much luck. Anyone ideas on what to tell her? I did suggest trying a few different ones to see what she likes. I'm not sure if the girl has a private teacher who can help her, though, so "trying some out" might be intimidating and confusing.
Thanks in advance -
Lori
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Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-01-19 01:44
Well, I was going to try to find out what the shape of the buffet stock mouthpiece, but a few things about this situation pop out at me.
1. The student is still learning, does not know what suits her, and will adapt to anything you give her.
2. The parents are more than likely not musician, or a least not clarinetists, so they have no idea what they need to provide.
In my honest opinion, the student has been playing on a poor quality mouthpiece since she got the E11, so why match another mouthpiece to a poor quality one? A Fobes Debut is cheap and highly recommended by many. Recommend that, and you will be doing the student a huge favor. It should be able to take her very far. You can even lie a bit and say it is very similar but better quality and highly recommended. After all, they are both made of rubber, have cork at the end, and are designed for the clarinet. 
Others probably will have good ideas as well. This is what I would do.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-01-19 09:02
Just to add to that, there are many different facings for the Buffet mouthpiece. I've run across a few that were pretty darn good but have had a devil of a time finding one now that I can even begin to play because I did NOT know the facing of the ones I liked initially. Sooooo I would say since there are so many really good (and many that are under $100) mouthpieces out there, that you just find a good Vandoren (5RV Lyre, M13) or Fobes Debut or Gennusa.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: bclplyr
Date: 2012-01-19 14:21
Thanks for the replies! This would be so much easier if she were my student and I could help in person. What both of you replied confirms my suspicions, but wanted to pick someone's brain before continuing my replies.
The parents definitely aren't clarinetists. What started the whole thing was the music store repair tech saying she should upgrade to a hard rubber mouthpiece. That sent the mom to facebook asking if that's what she should do or if the shop was just trying to get her to buy something she didn't need (her initial question asked "anyone's child play a rubber mouthpiece?"). I'm glad she asked, though, as it's a valid question for someone new to the clarinet world.
Hopefully with a list of models, they won't be as intimidated. The store suggested a Selmer HS* or Vandoren M13, but said she was welcome to come try them (and others) out.
Thanks again -
Lori
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Author: CuriousClarinet
Date: 2012-01-19 14:44
It sounds like you've already got your answer, but just as an fyi, I don't believe a Debut is a hard rubber mouthpiece. Not that it isn't a decent mouthpiece, because it is, but that is one of the reasons it's considered a student mouthpiece. I once read on a website that the Debut is made out of acrylic, and since I play one for marching band, I can say that the Debut does feel different then hard rubber. (my cheap metal ligature has also really scratched the sides of the Debut up too, which I have a hunch might be because of the material.) Fobes uses his CF+ facing and puts it on a cheaper plastic material to make it more affordable for students. I'm not exactly sure why the whole "hard rubber" thing makes a difference, but if they truly want a hard rubber mouthpiece, a Debut is not that.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2012-01-19 15:53
In my experience, the facing wins over the material every time.
Better an Acrylic mouthpiece with a facing that suits you than a Hard Rubber beak that's difficult to operate.
--
Ben
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Author: bclplyr
Date: 2012-01-22 16:37
Yes, the Debut is acrylic. I did make sure to mention that in my reply, as well as the cost difference between that and the other mouthpieces listed earlier. I don't know what their budget is.
I do agree, Ben, that material is a moot point if the facing doesn't agree with you.
I hope they let me know what they ended up choosing - I'm rather curious!
Lori
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