 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rozmp
Date: 2009-07-02 18:47
My son is embarking on getting an Eb soprano. He will soon be done with his masters. Finding a good Eb is a whole subject in itself but for now any advice on a good mp? Not worried about price. Thanks, Roz
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-07-02 19:06
Hi Roz, Selmer and Vandoren make a decent Eb mouthpiece but like everything else clarinet wise he will have to try several to find what's best for him. I have an old Selmer C**, I don't even think they make it any more but several of my students have had success with a few of the Vandoren facings. If he contacts some of the mail order stores most will send him 3-4 for trial. That way, if he can't get to a place that stocks several he can try different kinds because everyone will tell you what they think is the best. ESP
http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2009-07-02 21:30
Roz,
Years ago, I started playing Eb in the San Diego Symphony on a Vandoren 5RV which is a fine (and relatively inexpensive at ~$78) Eb mouthpiece, as long as you use a fairly strong reed with it (Vandoren Eb Blue-Box #4 or Bb Black Master #4). After a couple of years, I switched to an Eb mouthpiece by Jim Kantor which had a bigger/louder sound but was a bit more difficult to control.
About a year ago I bought a Vandoren B44 Eb mouthpiece that has not worked out for me. The response is fine, but the sound, though bigger than the 5RV, is not as refined. It might work for your son though. A Vandoren B40 Eb is also available, but I don't have experience with that.
A few months ago, Ben Redwine sent me a bunch of mouthpieces among which was one of his (A-Frame) Zinner Eb mouthpieces (~1.05 tip opening). Although more expensive ($160) than the Vandorens, I have gotten a number of favorable comments on my sound since buying this mouthpiece. It responds and tunes really well (particularly into the altissimo where you have to be comfortable on the Effer). Of the mouthpieces I've played, this one works best for me.
I can't speak from personal experience, but I know several Eb players who really like the Fobes Eb mouthpieces ($90-$180), and I've heard good things about the Hite Eb mouthpiece ($75) as well.
As with any mouthpiece selection, it pays to try a number of models/facings because what works for one person may not work for another. In any case, the mouthpiece should facilitate playing responsively and in tune at loud dynamics, particularly in the extreme altissimo register as this is often required of the instrument.
Good luck!
Bob
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-07-02 21:40
My teacher who plays the clarinet and bass clarinet and hasn't played through the excerpts for the Eb soprano and barely played it for that matter had a good success with the Grabner Eb mouthpiece. Great security for the highest notes with great intonation.
Well as Tom Ridenour says in his newest youtube video then he ask Harold Wright after a concert with the Boston symphony what he looked for in a good mouthpiece or the best as he was expecting some kind of answer to the holy grail. But to his amazement his answer was short and simple "Intonation".
Well intonation on the Eb is difficult so good intonation and secure specially for the highest notes is something you should look for in an Eb mouthpiece.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-07-03 03:19
I like Clark Fobes Eb mothpieces. They are very comfortable, easy to find reeds and above all, play well in tune (assuming a decent instrument).
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Author: rc004e
Date: 2009-07-03 04:32
I really enjoy my Greg Smith e-flat mouthpiece. It works incredibly well on my
R-13.
RC
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2009-07-03 13:53
I have Fobes, Grabner and Smith Eb mouthpieces and all are great. Right now I'm most enamored with the Smith as it has the biggest sound and blends well with the rest of the clarinet section. The Grabner and Fobes are a bit better when you have to pp in the altissimo range. I used both of the latter in doing the Molter concertos as they allow that sort of volume range on the extended bits of high notes in those concerti.
In the past I used an exceptional 5RV, but these three pricier mouthpieces are worth the investment IMHO.
Eefer guy
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Author: teniralc
Date: 2009-07-05 07:02
I, along with my section mate in the orchestra and our teacher (clarinetist in a top tier orchestra) use a plain Zinner blank, available from Muncy Winds Music. It is an unfinished blank but I know many professionals (playing in full time orchestras) who use these. They are very cheap compared to a lot of others and are as good as some you might pay over 100 or more for.
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Author: Gregory Smith ★2017
Date: 2009-07-05 07:27
Rachelle (teniralc) -
They are not "blanks" in the strict sense. Zinner, as a matter of course, regularly sends out highly finished "blanks" that are in actuality a standard stock Zinner creation that indeed "plays" to varying degrees.
The degree of quality that makes them playable is at best variable and the fact that a few professional musicians play *some* of them isn't surprising.
That fact doesn't preclude or undervalue the fine Zinner-based Eb mouthpieces that are made by several mouthpiece artisans which are based on their own design. (For instance, I worked with Zinner for several years to develop my present Eb mouthpiece based on my own self-designed Zinner that I have played in the Chicago Symphony over the course of many years).
While it's relatively easy to generalize about subjects based on individual, limited observation, it's quite another to universalize one's experience for others based on their own.
Gregory Smith
http://www.gregory-smith.com
Post Edited (2009-07-05 07:31)
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Author: William
Date: 2009-07-05 16:22
My Eb mpcies are a Charles Bay custom & vintage Selmer C**. I like the Selmer for its altissimo response and intonation. The Bay--a Chedeville blank, I think--plays with a relatively warm sound, but is a bit more difficult in the altissimo range. On both, I use a Winslow ligature which adds resonance--even a bit of "warmth"--to the sound. My clarinet is an older Yamaha 620, but both mpcies work quite well on my (even older) Bundy Resonite effer.
FWIW, if I were looking for a modern Eb mouthpiece, I would definately go with the mouthpiece craftsman who is also an active, performing artist--and IMHO, there is none better than Gregory Smith.
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2023-01-26 06:46
I played Eb for quite a few years and saw no reason to replace the stock Buffet mouthpiece when I bought the clarinet.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
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