 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Nomenclature
Date: 2019-08-08 00:14
One of my students (intermediate level) is playing on a plastic Yamaha student clarinet. He is keen to advance and do higher grades and I wondered if it would be worthwhile upgrading his mouthpiece rather than his parents buying him a wooden clarinet as I know money is a bit tight for them. Any advice please?
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2019-08-08 00:40
A better mouthpiece will always do way more for the playing experience than a better clarinet. I’d go as far as to say that owning a clarinet above a good intermediate one is not even necessary to do well professionally. A quality mouthpiece is most essential no matter what level you are.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-08-08 01:06
I could not agree more! A decent mouthpiece that allows the student to accomplish all the basics with no interference is paramount.
I also would HIGHLY suggest trying the Clark Fobes Debut mouthpiece. At some $44 US dollars it is an amazing value featuring the same facing he uses on his much more expensive professional line (hard rubber as opposed to plastic) mouthpieces. I have played several and find them wonderful mouthpieces and can be thought of as good as a mouthpiece can be for any price.
.................Paul Aviles
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2019-08-08 02:32
Try Brad Behn's acrylic Overture model. Standard facing is 1.05 mm but he will put other facings on by request. It gives a nice, full round tone with good center and intonation and is very reed friendly and easy to control. See his website for details.
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Author: hans
Date: 2019-08-08 06:57
Even if the student obtained a higher level clarinet, he would still need a better mouthpiece to go with it so that starting with this low cost alternative doesn't appear to have a "downside".
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2019-08-08 09:24
I have both the Fobes 'Debut" and the Behn "Overture". They are both excellent, and compare favourably with many much more expensive mouthpieces. You could not go wrong with either one.
Tony F.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2019-08-08 16:33
I agree that a good mouthpiece on an inexpensive instrument will go a long way and is a far better upgrade than an instrument. If the student is using a stock mouthpiece, those Fobes and Behn mouthpieces that have been mentioned will be a significant upgrade for a very cheap price.
There are a number of mouthpieces out there, some from sponsors of this site that would be great choices for reasonable money. One could also consider some of the options from D'Addario and Vandoren.
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Author: rrayneau
Date: 2019-08-08 17:18
Older adult relative beginner here. Self teaching. Interested in plaudits given here to Fobes Debut mouthpiece.
I am on Vandoren 5RV and am happy with this.
However if I swapped to a Fobes Debut do you think this is likely to enhance my playing experience?
Buffet Prodige. Legere European 3.5
Thanks.
rrayneau@gmail.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-08-08 18:11
Well it comes down to two distinct characteristics for me. The first is having a decent, basic facing that is not too open or too closed (to start......so you can explore from there). The other is having a manufacturing process that is consistent enough to offer good quality across all the mouthpieces produced. This is why I picked the Fobes.
Vandoren also makes good mouthpieces, no doubt. in their selection you can find a host of options from the "standard" facings (M13, 5RVLyre) to just about anything possible.
By "standard" I refer to tip openings perhaps a little over a millimeter (1.03 or so) and a facing length of about 17.5mm to 18mm. The Fobes comes in at a 1.00mm tip opening and a 17mm long facing. Clark Fobes compares that directly to the 5RV, but I never played a 5RV that was as easy to play.......there are many other factors to the critical dimensions of a mouthpiece and I would attribute the difference to those other dimensions.
I would say try it. Then of course you may want to make the leap from there to the "10K" series.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed
Date: 2019-08-08 19:24
The Fobes Debut are very comfortable and responsive with a resonant sound that is even and well in tune. I have played many "higher end" mouthpieces that don't play anywhere near as well. Over the years I have often had one in my case to play along in lessons.
Clark's other mouthpieces at the mid and higher level are also superb and he is a great guy to work with. He is very helpful.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2019-08-08 19:47
The material of which clarinets are constructed is not super important, in respect to sound ... it's the acoustic design and consistent execution of that design that seems to make the big difference. The stability and durability of the material/construction IS important.
Yamaha makes quality clarinets ... they don't make junk.
As a matter of fact, I am playing in one ensemble, of which our principal clarinet retired for a few years, sold all his instruments ... just quit to enjoy his family and retirement. Fast-forward a few years and he (Robert) just couldn't stand it anymore, and wanted to play again. An R13 player, he didn't want to part with 4-grand immediately and selected the ABS, entry-level Yamaha (YCL-255?). He sounds better than ever! Of course, Robert had a masters degree in performance and worked on his doctorate with Himie Voxman, but still, to make a come-back from the cold, and using a beginner clarinet ... And he claims that the Yamaha hasn't hindered his playing, at all.
A better MP and reeds, but mostly good practice with a good teacher is most important.
Oh, and BTW, I vote for the Fobes Debut, too. Now, I am using something very different ... the D'Addario Reserve Evolution, and I'd give one of those a try.
I have wood, Greenline, plastic and hard rubber clarinets, and I'd be stumped to say which has the best sound, due to materials ... but I'd lean towards the hard rubber.
Tom
Post Edited (2019-08-08 19:53)
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