 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Nzb2018
Date: 2017-07-20 04:13
I am looking for a new mouthpiece, but because of my location I only have one store I could potentially try mouthpieces. What would be a good way for me to try a variety of clarinet mouthpieces to select the right one for me? I am about to be a high school senior and audition for college music programs.
Post Edited (2017-07-20 04:15)
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-07-20 04:21
Suggestion....
What a great way to break the ice with a would be future clarinet professor. Shoot an email, introduce yourself, and ask for suggestions for mouthpieces he/she prefers and places (online?) to try them.
Could be a brilliant first impression.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2017-07-20 05:23
If you've got the cash to lay out you can buy mouthpieces for return (provided they are still re-sellable) at
http://shop.weinermusic.com/help.asp
Perhaps the only list larger almost as large as the choices are the factors concering why one even considers a mouthpiece for trial.
1) What mouthpiece do you play now?
2) Why is it no good?
3) What do hope to get out of a new mouthpiece?
4) What genre of clarinet music do you plan on focusing on?
5) What is your budget.
etc.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-07-20 06:09
If you're planning to audition for entrance into college music programs, don't you have a clarinet teacher? He or she would be the most logical source of suggestions - might even have a few for you to try as reference points.
Karl
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Author: Musikat
Date: 2017-07-20 07:20
Depending on what you have to spend, many of the custom mouthpiece makers are very helpful and flexible in how they let you try them. I just purchased a Gregory Smith mouthpiece and he sent me three to try. I only had to pay for the shipping and the one I kept. Others may be similar. I also tried Walter Grabner mouthpieces. He asks you to pay up front, but will fully refund if you send it back. Both were very accommodating when I needed extra time to try them and compare and both had excellent mouthpieces, making my decision difficult, but fun. Good luck!
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Author: TomS
Date: 2017-07-20 07:51
My usual rambling two cents: Just TRY the Reserve X0 or the Vandoren M13-lyre, both with the Pilgerstorfer Dolce 3.5 to 4.0. The Reserve is more responsive and has more core but the higher notes are a bit thin, IMHO. The M13-lyre MPs vary a bit but most are good, and more hold and better sound in the upper clarion and altissimo.
The M13-lyre might be flat with a 66mm barrel. I have found that the X0 output bore and the top joint bore of my R13-Greenline measure the same, therefore I use the standard stock 66 mm barrel (non tapered) and the tuning is quite good. I'd like to find a softer material barrel, such as nylon or hard rubber that matches the bore specifications of the stock barrel ... it would warm the sound up a bit, I think. I've heard that Muncy's barrels for "A" clarinet have an overall smaller bore and less reverse taper and it's been suggested I try on of those ...
Anyway, the Reserve X0 is a real winner, in my book ... but for certain venues or acoustics, the M13-lyre is my choice. And I've owned/tried almost everything at one time or the other ... I like finding a really good production MP that I can easily replace if I break one. Always keep a spare MP with you ... put your best MP in the case and play your 2nd best MP all the time ...
Tom
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Author: Kalashnikirby
Date: 2017-07-20 21:36
A good shop will send you a variety of mouthpieces for trial. There's too many mouthpieces to chose from, your best bet would be ask your teacher, who might know what fits your embouchure best for some recommendation (refer to them when ordering) and the shop he/she refers to for some general advice regarding which sound to expect from what kind of mouthpiece and what YOU feel would suit you most.
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Author: zhangray4
Date: 2017-07-20 22:09
As mentioned before, going to a shop to try mouthpieces is not the only option. You can order online, try it, and return it if it does not satisfy (just don't do it like 15 times in a month because you'll probably be paying some shipping/handling fee each time).
In order for us to give you information and suggestions, you need to tell us your current setup. Tell us why you would like to switch to a new mouthpiece... are you unsatisfied with your tone? What are you looking for in your new mouthpiece? What's your price cap?
-- Ray Zhang
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Author: Nzb2018
Date: 2017-07-21 10:06
My current setup is a Buffet Festival Bb Clarinet, with a Backun mouthpiece, Gonzalez 3.25 FOF reeds, and a Rovner Versa ligature. I'm not very happy with my current mouthpiece because one, it is one my old teacher forced me to buy so it didn't work amazingly for me to begin with, but I adjusted to it (I'm not very satisfied with the tone though) So now that I have switched teachers, I have the opportunity to try a mouthpiece that suits me better. I'm looking for something with a bit more resistance. My current mouthpiece has a 0.99 mm tip opening with a medium facing, so it's very free blowing. I've tried heavier reeds before, but though they felt more comfortable, I was much sharper than before. So all in all, I need more resistance in my mouthpiece.
Post Edited (2017-07-21 10:07)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2017-07-21 15:32
Quote:
Anyway, the Reserve X0 is a real winner, in my book
This is one of the reasons it is so important to try to find what fits you. For my taste, I found the Reserve mouthpiece to be too resistant. I prefer the feel of an M13lyre in stock mouthpieces, although they can be a little flat in the throat tones, depending on one's set up.
I would discuss this with your teacher. That is why you are studying- to get the teacher's insight and experience. While we all have different tastes, your thought that you need more resistance is the opposite of what I typically aim for. I find that something that is more free blowing gives me much more flexibility and the ability to control the feel I want with the reed I choose.
Post Edited (2017-07-21 18:35)
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Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-07-21 16:13
I think the easiest thing to do, just to get a sense what you're looking for, go to one of the big online retailers and order a smorgasbord of vandoren mouthpieces. Get five or six of them and see/feel/hear your preferences. There are a ton of suggestions on the Bboard.
If you find an winner, you are set. If one or two are very good, but lacking, then use the vandoren experiment as a stepping stone for the next level. Contact Graeber, Fobes, Behn, et al. Pick one, they are all amazing and very friendly. Tell them which vandoren you liked the best and why it's still holding you back. They can create the perfect mouthpiece for you.
I realize this is all gets a little esoteric, but a craftsman can get what you want. Hopefully a vandoren might fulfill your needs. Many clarinetist love them.
And begins the hunt...go break a reed.
~Robt L Schwebel
Mthpc: Behn Vintage
Lig: Ishimori, Behn Delrin
Reed: Legere French Cut 3.75/4, Behn Brio 4
Horns: Uebel Superior (Bb,A), Ridenour Lyrique, Buffet R13 (Eb)
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-07-21 16:45
Nzb2018 wrote:
> My current mouthpiece has a 0.99 mm tip opening
> with a medium facing, so it's very free blowing.
By itself, this information is only marginally meaningful. What is a "medium" facing? Do you mean a "medium" curve length. If so, it depends on whose definition of "medium" is being used. The feel (response) of the mouthpiece depends on many variables that are designed into mass-produced mouthpieces (baffle depth and shape, overall chamber size, the shape of the throat, rail thickness, etc.) and are customized by hand finishers.
For your current mouthpiece to be any kind of reference point, you should just identify it by brand and model.
When your last teacher "forced" you to buy the one you have now, did you tell him that you didn't feel comfortable with it? What did he say about your playing on it?
Karl
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Author: seabreeze
Date: 2017-07-22 01:18
Nzb2018 said that his "current setup" was a Buffet Festival clarinet with a Backun mouthpiece," so if the tip is 0.99 mm, that would make the mouthpiece a Backun MoBa CRT Camerata model. Actually that's a very good mouthpiece, the one Ricardo Morales played for some time successfully until his recent switch to crystal. But it still may not be right for Nzb2018.
Post Edited (2017-07-22 04:31)
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Author: Nzb2018
Date: 2017-07-22 04:12
(sorry about previous post, I accidentally posted mid-typing) Thank you for the responses everyone! I am and have been discussing this with my private teacher, but I am posting on here just to get other points of view. And kdk, when I say "forced" I meant my first private teacher when I was in 8th grade handed me some gear and told me I sounded good on it, but now that I've had more experience on the clarinet and a different teacher, I can finally find something that fits me much better.
Post Edited (2017-07-22 04:13)
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Author: RLarm
Date: 2017-07-22 22:34
Why is it that when you purchase a new mouthpiece it feels and sounds better than anything that you have ever played? And then two months later later you lament to yourself "Why did I spend $300 for Brand X? I should have just stayed with what I had. I'm such an idiot."
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