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Re: mouthpiece change

Author: NBeaty
Date: 2018-02-09 20:19

How long have you been using the M13 Lyre? Unless you've been using it for many years or it has been damaged, it is unlikely at best to have changed in any significant way. Can you post a picture at least of the "worn out" mouthpiece?

While it would need to be measured to see if the facing is still true, even an out of balance Vandoren would be better than the stock buffet mouthpiece. I don't think buffet honestly believes their stock mouthpieces will ever be the "choice" for anyone who wants to get the most out of their very expensive clarinet.

Mouthpieces do not have to "warm up". Any changes after playing for a little while can be most attributed to your face warming up as well as your brain starting to focus on what you're doing as you warm up.

I would recommend moving away from the Rovner, as I don't think it's doing you any favors. What you want from a mouthpieces is vibrancy, resonance, full tone, and a lively response. Wrapping the mouthpiece in a "hug" of fabric essentially absorbs much of the vibration of the reed and will tend to limit all those qualities, making the sound more dull and less interesting. I would recommend trying the Rico/D'Addario "H" ligature (comes with an excellent non-metal cap). The Vandoren M/O is also a good choice in the more affordable range (also comes with a good cap). You'd be surprised just how much a ligature can change the playing experience.

That brings up a sidenote: Never use a METAL mouthpiece cap, it's just tempting fate that you'll bump the tip with the edge of it and damage the mouthpiece. I've seen many mouthpieces with tips that look like an animal has been gnawing on the tip. Some people will say, "well so and so professional in whatever orchestra uses a metal cap (or any particular item)". Great, but that's not a valid reason to do anything. It's a valid reason to TRY something, whether it be an instrument, mouthpiece, etc. If a professional hears you play and recommends a switch to something different, make sure that 1) you understand why he made that recommendation and 2) you try before you buy and make sure there isn't something else that brings you closer to what the person was telling you would improve your playing.

So many people switch to the trendiest instrument/mouthpiece/ligature etc. and end up sounding like they're struggling to find their sound. From a basic business/consumer perspective, know what you're buying and how much it is worth and if the seller can actually justify the price. There are many players that end up spending as much as a brand new car on their setup (with Bb and A) but don't sound better than they did before or they paid more than something is really worth to hopefully sound like someone else who plays that setup.

Definitely call ahead if you're worried about them having enough items in stock. Compare the new M13 Lyres to your old one (using same reed, etc.) to see if the new ones are actually better. As far as mouthpieces they are likely to have in stock, I would also recommend the D'Addario Reserve X0 and X5 (X0 is most similar to the M13 Lyre). They should be about the same price as Vandoren.

MOST IMPORTANT TO NOTE WITH MOUTHPIECE WEAR: In my experience, it seems most common that people going through undergraduate/masters programs suddenly decide their mouthpiece has worn out or changed in that time. I can guarantee that the player has changed more than the mouthpiece. Damage to the mouthpiece aside.

Good luck.

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