 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: junebug
Date: 2011-01-14 00:36
I know you all are probably tired of these mouthpiece questions but as a newbie clarinet player (attempting to double on sax) I need to ask so I don't spend the next ten months reinventing the wheel. The Yamaha student model clarinet on which I am trying to learn, came with the standard 4C plastic mouth piece. Like the sax equivalent, it's a pretty small tip opening. I feel ready to move up to the next level. Some suggestions please. I use a Rico #3 Reed and plan to buy a used wooden clarinet in the next few days.
Thank you.
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Author: Desert Dweller
Date: 2011-01-14 02:52
Tge Genussa Excellente Mezzo is a great intermediate-level mouthpiece. Check out the website at redwinejazz.com. Also, you should move to a Vandoren reed.
Loretta Krein
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Author: Joseph Brenner, Jr.
Date: 2011-01-14 03:24
Aren't you placing the cart before the horse? You seek advice on selection of a mouthpiece, yet say that you plan to buy a used wooden clarinet in the next few days. Have you tried out any different mouthpieces with the clarinet you're now playing? Have you decided what clarinet you will buy? Have you foreclosed the prospect of buying a clarinet that is not wooden? Have you determined that the mouthpiece you choose now will be fully compatible with whatever clarinet you may choose? There are many good mouthpieces available, including Genussa, Hite, Fobes, Grabner, and others, including Vandoren. And each maker usually makes more than one model. Don't determine, without trying out a mouthpiece, to "go steady with" it or"marry"it.
Look at what else comes of your posting here and do some further research. Mouthpieces and clarinets cost money. You don't want to spend money on something that does not suit you. The money you have available will not burn a hole in your pocket while you evaluate your options.
You'll do yourself a favor by searching topics like "mouthpiece" and "clarinet" on this board. Questions on those topics come up all the time.
Best wishes!
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-01-14 12:54
If you aren't sure about mouthpieces, a few lessens with an experienced teacher might be in order, even if you feel you are otherwise competent. Why waste money on either a horn or mouthpiece you might later find were not suited to you,when you can get an expert's advice for not a whole lot of money?
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2011-01-14 12:54)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2011-01-14 14:35
For Vandoren a good standard model (you can't really go wrong) is the 5RV Lyre. I would recommend the STANDARD version as opposed to the 13 Series since this tuning will make an easier time of going back and forth from sax (in my opinion).
...............Paul Aviles
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Author: Desert Dweller
Date: 2011-01-14 15:29
My colleagues are right. You should seek the advice of an experienced clarinet teacher/professional. However, I teach high-school students in class settings. This mouthpiece works extremely well for most students most of the time. I have had very good luck with the Genussa Mezzo and have no problem recommending it to high-school band directors who put their entire sections on one mouthpiece. You should work your way up to harder reeds. Vandoren 2.5 = Rico 3.
Loretta Krein
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Author: TianL
Date: 2011-01-14 17:16
are you saying you do play sax? if so you can also consider the ralph morgan.. i think many sax players who double on clarinet prefer the morgan mouthpieces. it has a duckbill kind of shape and the feel is more similar to saxophones.
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-01-14 23:45
The Yamaha 4C mouthpiece is a down-the-middle design, perfect for someone taking up the clarinet. It doesn't have the depth of tone of more expensive mouthpiece, but for it's $27 price, it can't be beat.
Clarinet and sax have different embouchures. I advise playing the Yamaha until you develop enough additional strength and control to be able able to sound good. Until then, going to something else will make little difference.
When you're ready, for around $70, a Vandoren is a better mouthpiece. I like the 5RV Lyre, which is slightly more open than the Yamaha 4C. If you want to go directly to a jazz mouthpiece, try the Vandoren 5JB, which is very open.
Ken Shaw
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Author: TianL
Date: 2011-01-15 04:13
practicing clarinet will make you a better sax player not the other way around though.
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Author: Merlin_Williams
Date: 2011-01-15 13:09
TianL wrote:
> practicing clarinet will make you a better sax player not
> the other way around though.
Doublers who are prinipally clarinet players frequently have trouble relaxing their embouchures enough to get a good commercial sound on alto and tenor. Their soprano playing OTOH, is quite often better than saxophonists who add soprano as a double.
Jupiter Canada Artist/Clinician
Stratford Shakespeare Festival musician
Woodwind Doubling Channel Creator on YouTube https://www.youtube.com/c/WoodwindDoubling
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2011-01-15 19:42
As a quite occasional sax player, I agree with Merlin. A clarinet embouchure on soprano works well, once you learn to adjust the voicing. The same goes for alto if you drop your jaw. Baritone is totally different. I pretend I have my lips wrapped around a cigar and just blow.
For me the hard one is tenor. You have to eliminate almost all pressure, and the voicing is completely different from clarinet. And then there are the two completely different approaches (e.g., Pres and Trane).
Ken Shaw
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