 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Orlando Natty
Date: 2006-11-05 20:52
I am thinking of getting a metal mouthpiece for my metal clarinet. I'm hoping the overall result is a louder sound for outside playing. Anyone have some suggestions for good brands/models and appropriate costs for a new or used one?
Also, if I'm wrong about assuming a metal mouthpiece will result in a louder sound, please let me know that too. I normally play on a B45, just to let you know what I am used to playing.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2006-11-06 14:56
There are almost no all-metal clarinet mouthpieces, though a few have a metal insert to rebuild the lay when it becomes too worn to reface. David Glazer played one of these, and Jack Brymer's book says the practice is common in England.
Metal mouthpieces are of course common for saxophone. The loudness depends on the design. In the Clarinet Classics CDs of Marcel Mule, there are photos of him playing a metal mouthpiece for classical selections.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2006-11-06 16:18
Orlando,
The notion that metal mouthpieces are louder than hard rubber mouthpieces is, I think, a misperception. I suspect this misperception goes back to the 80's (if not before) when high baffle/small chamber metal saxophone mouthpieces started to become popular with some players. However, in recent years more players are understanding that low baffle/large chamber hard rubber mouthpieces can be very powerful. Fred Lamberson and Ralph Morgan large chamber hard rubber saxophone mouthpieces are good examples of having a lot of power, a very high level of projection, as well as beautiful tonal qualities.
In this respect, one thing to understand is playing loud is not necessarily the same has having a sound with a high level of projection. I've heard some sax buddies using high baffle type metal mouthpieces sound loud in the immediate area; but, when I walked to the back of the performance space I could hear how their sound dropped. The idea, then, is to project your sound. This is why a high quality hard rubber mouthpiece can actually project further than a loud-sounding metal mouthpiece.
Personally, I would suggest that you forget about metal clarinet mouthpieces and simply find a hard rubber mouthpiece that's a good match for your particular metal clarinet and your playing style. Two suggestions that come to mind are a Walter Grabner K14 or a Ralph Morgan RM28 (or perhaps a RM15) mouthpiece. I don't think that you can go wrong with either one in finding a mouthpiece with a lot of power. The Grabner K14 is tricky in that it has a smaller tip opening (1.08 mm) than most jazz-oriented mouthpieces on the market. However, it projects like gang-busters and it has a stunningly beautiful dark/round sound.
Another suggestion is to post your question on the Sax On The Web Forum. I know a couple of guys there who have vintage metal clarinets in their horn collections. They might have some good advice for you.
Roger
Post Edited (2006-11-06 16:19)
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