 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kathryn777
Date: 2009-12-30 16:33
So I work at H&H music... I played clarinet for 8 years in school, but haven't picked it up in about 4 since then... I have people call and ask for a clarinet #5 or a clarinet #2 mouthpiece... I have no idea what they mean by this... I have vandoren mouthpieces mostly, but can special order other ones. Anyone know what the numbers mean?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-12-30 17:10
There is no generic lableing of mouthpieces as #2 or #5.
Each company (and custom mouthpiece maker) has their own numbering system.
Just as an aside, the old O'Brien OCB (off center bore) facings went from 1 to 5+.
The facing descriptions were along the line of (if I remember the O'Brien actual descriptions):
1 - very short
2 - medium short
OB+ - "very popular"
2+ - more open
3, 3+, 4, 4+, 5, 5+ - progressively more open
...GBK
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-12-30 17:29
Hi,
On the Portnoys, The BP01 is closed, the BP02, more open, and the BP03 is most open. I have several older Brilhart and the 5* is what I play, the 2 or 3 too closed for me. But you get the drift.
Here is a MP chart from a website that does a decent job with bari sax MPs comparisons. A web search will probably yield some clarinet MP info (try the WWBW catalog).
http://www.jazzbarisax.com/mouthpieces.php
HRL
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-12-30 17:31
You have to ask for the make of the mouthpiece, those numbers mean nothing for the majority of mouthpieces. GBK is right about the numbers and Alex is also that they may mean reeds but even then they need to mention a brand. You have to ask what they mean. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: kathryn777
Date: 2009-12-30 21:53
They are not looking for reeds because that was my first assumption. My latest lady asking for a 5mouthpiece was looking for something more open than a 2 ... i'm still confused. She didn't have a specific brand in mind, but she plays on a selmer which I then explained to her that a Bb mouthpiece will fit on a Bb clarinet regardless of brand.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-12-31 01:08
Are many of these people parents that don't know much about music? I have seen some really cheap plastic student model mouthpieces that were numbered.
Since there are so many people in your area that call about this, I think it might be that a school in the area uses these and all the parents think it's the norm.
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Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-12-31 02:30
kathryn..
Very odd.
Just pondering here:
Could some of these people be referring, in their own peculiar shorthand, to numbers used to describe how open or close a mouthpiece is?
For example, a 1.2 mm becomes a 2? Seems farfetched, though.
Post Edited (2009-12-31 02:37)
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2010-01-01 19:11
Excuse me if this is too simplified. The numbers generally refer to the opening of the mouthpiece. This is simply the opening at the tip of the reed when on the mouthpiece. ie the distance between the very tip of the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. Generally larger numbers are larger openings. The actual measurements are small in any case ....usually a little over 1 mm or 1/16". There are charts on the internet to show comparisons between different brands. This is a starting point.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2010-01-01 22:05
After looking at a listing of Vandoren clarinet mouthpieces it appears there are around 25 to choose from. It is likely people were asking for a number 5 opening not realizing that Vandoren doesn't use this nomenclature. Just study all the charts and ask experienced clarinetists about the differences. I think you can narrow the 25 down to 4 or 5 good choices.
Freelance woodwind performer
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