 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: clarinetplayer21
Date: 2015-07-28 05:46
Hello, i am currently looking for some suggestions when i go to my music store this weekend to try out some new mouthpieces as i have been using the one that came with my clarinet and it is just horrible as most stock ones are. Im in 10th grade and have been playing since 6th grade so i guess you could say im an intermediate? what exactly am i looking for? desides being able to do things my current mouthpiece cant of course. price doesn't really matter but under 110 would be best.
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Author: locke9342
Date: 2015-07-28 05:57
I don't know what stock your store will have, but they should probably have some Vandoren mouthpieces. Most Vandoren mouthpieces are pretty good, I would look for a 5rv lyre, m13 or cl6. Just try all of them and see what you like. Bring someone with you who knows clarinet to help you pick
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Author: TomS
Date: 2015-07-28 08:09
Not all stock MPs are horrible. Occasionally good ones are included with the instrument. Have a good teacher play yours and see what they think.
I vote for trying the 5RV-lyre or the M13. Both fairly consistent, play well and widely available. M13 is warm, compact, nice. The 5RV-lyre has a little bigger sound with more core and ring, IMHO.
Don't get too crazy on trying too many MPs, especially if you are a fairly new player. Find something pretty good and stick with it for a good while.
Tom
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-07-28 15:27
For the new mouthpieces I'd say the Vandoren Masters CL4 is probably more in line with the 5RV Lyre and M13.
Also there is a fantastic mouthpiece making inroads here in the US that is quite amazing (and probably equally hard to find), the ESM (Ernst Schreiber Michelstadt) in the facing size MCK-1 (designed by Roger McKinney, College of New Jersey).
............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed
Date: 2015-07-28 15:35
Besides the Vandorens, you might also find the Rico/D'Addario Reserve line in the local shop. I would say the Vandoren 5RV lyre, M13 lyre and M15 would be good places to start. Some also like the M30. I have found that the Fobes Debut and Hite Premiere, while inexpensive, often outplay many stock mouthpieces and could be a step up.
While all of that is important, I would suggest that you find a good private teacher who can guide your playing and equipment choices. That will pay off so much more in the long run than looking for equipment. Good luck.
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Author: 4accord
Date: 2015-07-28 17:49
I think this may be a more complex question than it seems. I have a whole collection of mouthpieces, most bought used. What I have found after playing with just about every reed-ligature-barrel- and body combination I had is that it's a highly personal thing. I was shocked to find that my runaway favorite is a Portnoy 3 that arrived unexpectedly with a used clarinet. For some strange reason, it just "has the magic" and produces the most wonderful tone and responsiveness in a way I can't get with any of my others. I'm reminded of the joke about "Before you find your handsome prince, you have to kiss a lot of frogs." I'm not at all sure I would get the same result with another Portnoy 3 but don't have another one to try. And I don't get quite the same result when I put it on another clarinet. And I feel certain another player would make a different choice. So, with all the variables, I don't think any one brand recommendation is necessarily going to be "best." On the list of issues are style of music, comfort, resistance, reed, tone, range...and after all that, look at intonation, because some mouthpieces sound fine till you play against a tuner. In short, you just have to find what works best for you, and buying new is the expensive route. Borrowing, try-before-you-buy, buying used and possibly reselling...those may be better options.
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Author: efsf081
Date: 2015-07-28 18:33
In my view, a student or intermediate player should stay at the "middle of the road". It mean you can try a M30 or B40, cl4, cl5, and rico X5.
Just personal opinion.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2015-07-28 20:16
I suppose that it all depends on your perspective, but with the M30 and B40 in the 115 to 119.5 tip range, I would not consider them to be middle of the road.
Then again, any of the info here (including mine) is just various people's opinions. The only true test is how it works for you.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2015-07-28 21:18
The bottom line, if you want to buy something at the store you're going to, is that you'll be choosing from among the mouthpieces the store stocks.
Keep in mind that mouthpieces play differently depending on the reed you play on them. So make sure you take a reed that plays well on your current mouthpiece. You'll be limiting your choices to those with similar response to your current mouthpiece (matching the mouthpiece to the reed), but trying to match reeds to each individual mouthpiece you try can be a study in frustration (and you need to have a lot of different reeds with you). So, you'd be best off to try to find the Vandoren or Rico facing (assuming most of the mouthpieces you try are from those two makers) that feels best with the reeds you already use.
I agree that B40 and X5 are at the outer perimeter of standard facings - I don't know much about the C14, C15 or M40. But if they work with your current reeds, they may be your best choice for now. My first choice among Vandoren mouthpieces for an intermediate student would be either M13-Lyre or M15, but if they don't play well for you, try the others.
Karl
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Author: William
Date: 2015-07-28 22:20
For custom mouthpieces, I would recommend either Gregory Smith or Walter Grabner, both sponsers of this BB and "good guys". Both were nice enough to send me multiple models to try and allowed me to return the ones that did not suit my needs.
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Author: Clarinetian
Date: 2015-07-29 03:18
For your budget the best options you have are Vandoren or D'addario Reserve mouthpieces. All depend in what are you looking in terms of sound. If you are looking for a ringing sound I recommend 5RV, M13, CL4 in Vandoren line, and the X5 in D'addario line. If you like a more covered and centered sound (my personal taste) I recommend M30D, B40D and BD5 (Black Diamond) in Vandoren line and both X0 and X10 in D'addario line. That is my opinion and your experience may vary. Good luck in your search!!
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