 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: stlclardr
Date: 2009-05-12 17:37
Hello all. I was wondering if anyone has play tested this mouthpiece and what they thought of it. Is anybody on here currently playing on this mouthpiece?? Any and all thoughs and/or suggestions would be appreciated. Thanks!
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2009-05-12 20:51
Fairly open, fairly long facing. Large tip-rail makes the sound less bright than some others, but not at the expense of volume. I play mine with Vandoren Blue Box no. 3, and I like it a lot. For some unknown reason I find articulation particularly easy on this one.
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2009-05-12 21:08
I play this mouthpiece as well. I find it very flexible with great response. My favorite quality about this mouthpiece is how colorful my sound is when playing it. Projection in a large orchestra is no problem as well as creating a more intimate chamber setting sound quality.
i would deffinetly play test a few and see if it fits you and your playing style.
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2009-05-12 21:25
I just switched to an M30, which on the VD spectrum is just below the B40 in terms of tip opening.
I have found it to have great articulation, great sound, and the ability to play with volume in the month I have been playing on it.
I must say that I am very impressed with the average Vandoren mouthpiece coming off the production line. They seem to have really taken the suggestions of leading players like Montanaro and Manasse and then found a consistency that translates into mass production.
These mouthpieces are very competitive with hand crafted mouthpieces in my opinion. And much cheaper.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-05-13 01:48
I second Dileep's praise of Vandoren. I had a B40 Lyre at a time when I was not quite ready for it (too open at that time; not willing to forego the stronger reeds). The clarinetist I gave it to, managed the most beautiful sound on it that I've heard in a very long time - all of us were jeleous.
I know have a B40 (non-lyre) that I switch back and forth with a custom mouthpiece. I may still not be ready for the particular openuss of the Lyre version but both are relatively shorter lay, so be sure to adjust how much mouthpiece you take in.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Rob Vitale
Date: 2009-05-13 05:29
I have the B40 13 series. I think it covers the most bases out of any mouth piece that I have ever tried. Intonation in my opinion is its strong point. I can put any note on my clarinet right on 440. I also think that reeds adapt well to it.
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Author: Bob Barnhart ★2017
Date: 2009-05-13 19:23
I played an M30 for about 2 years and switched to the B40(13) Lyre on the recommendation of a fellow clarinetist who felt it gave me a bigger, richer sound.
I've played the B40 Lyre for the past year and tried 4-5 different ones during that time. Although I still like the M30, I find the B40 Lyre produces a bigger, richer, denser, and deeper sound than the M30. While it may be more open, it doesn't play that way, although I do use 3 1/2 (Vandoren [V12]) reeds in contrast to 4's for the M30. Rather, it has a nice resistance and "hold" that allows you to keep a solid, focused sound at all dynamics. As noted by others, I also find that it is quite reed friendly.
Interestingly, I tried a few straight B40s and didn't care for their feel or sound at all. They DID feel "open" and for me, they would probably require perhaps a 3 1/2 reed.
There are subtle variations to each mouthpiece however, so you would be well served to try several of each facing. Of the two B40 Lyres I play regularly, one is less resistant than most and provides a bigger, brighter sound suitable for orchestral work, while the other is more resistant, with a denser, darker sound that is more suited for chamber music.
I hope this helps.
Post Edited (2009-05-13 19:33)
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Author: MattBowmanSmith
Date: 2009-05-14 20:14
I play on the B40 Lyre, and for the past 4 years have loved it. The B40 Lyre does have a big, open, and rich sounds when using proper support and to the other clarinetist in my band sections it blends in well, sometimes it can be a bit much though.
I am using Vandoren 3.5 V12's and a Bonade Regular ligature, and I find this to be a good match for the mouthpiece in concert band and orchestral works.
Hope this helps,
-Matt Smith
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Author: Jimis4klar
Date: 2024-11-12 19:43
How about using it with number 3 V12s? Would it fit well? I always found the B40 to be a little more open than I like. I think It's time to try the lyre but I don't like playing higher strength than #3 V12s, even on closer tip mouthpieces like M15.
Post Edited (2024-11-12 19:44)
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Author: paulyb
Date: 2024-11-13 00:10
The B40 Lyre is my main mouthpiece and I wouldn't play it with anything harder than a #3 V12 (though I do find myself on the softer end compared to some other players).
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Author: donald
Date: 2024-11-13 14:42
Last time I spoke with him Frank Celata (Sydney Symph) used V12 3's with a B40 or B40 Lyre mouthpiece. He can be heard on youtube subbing as "acting principal" of the London Symphony so I think he knows what he's doing.
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2024-11-14 19:18
B40 Lyre is still my preferred mouthpiece despite occasionally trying new offerings - also with V12 or (more usually) Pilgerstorfer Morre 3s. I’ve also been using Legere French Cut 3s and 2.75s over the last year.
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Author: karusel
Date: 2024-11-17 15:13
I bought a used B40 and kind of struggled, being a beginner I was sure it's all me, then my tutor lent me one of his old mouthpieces, a Playeasy B2 and the difference is nothing short of shocking. Now, it might be that the B40, being used, could be slightly defective, but not only is the Playeasy noticeably easier to blow and requires less strain on the embouchure muscles, the tone is much rounder and warmer, and this difference in sound is not the subtle kind where you need a side by side comparison. I don't think I'll go back to B40.
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Author: paulyb
Date: 2024-11-17 20:55
The B40 and the B40 Lyre are quite different mouthpieces and I'd definitely use a different reed on each. I'm not surprised that the B2 was easier to play since it's a fair bit more closed than the B40 (which is not too say that the B40 you tried wasn't a dud or that the B2 isn't a good fit for you).
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Author: Jimis4klar
Date: 2024-11-18 02:34
I just retried my B40 today I had since quite some time ago, though It's relatively new I would say, just left it aside and moved to other pieces within the years. It felt quite well with a #3 V12. I really wonder how the B40 Lyre would feel. With the B40 after some minutes the very high notes like B6, C6 were flat, needed a little embouchure pressure to be in tune but it fits me well overall. Do you think the very high notes would be more in tune with the B40 Lyre?(Assuming I also use #3 V12 with it). Of course as always I have to try and find a good one.
Post Edited (2024-11-18 02:42)
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Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2024-11-19 13:02
karusel, just some context to you: Here in Europe the B40 is probably still the single far most popular of all mouthpieces, commonly used from beginners to pros. Here its 1.195mm tip opening is considered as "medium", while in the US it's regarded as very open (there instead a M15/1.035mm or similar would be considered as "medium").
The playing experience of the B40 and the B2 shouldn't be too much different, provided each one is coupled with a reed of suitable strength (and of course assuming both are non-defective). As I understand, the term "Playeasy" is only relating to the synthetic reeds that the Playeasy-series of mouthpieces were geared towards - thus eliminating the inherent hassle with cane (still they are fully playable also with cane, as I do with my B2 and some other mouthpieces for synthetics - for a better tone). Thus there isn't anything else with them making them inherently "easier" to play than other, similar mouthpieces.
Glad anyway that your B2 is working a lot better for you than your B40. I also completely agree about the tone of the B2 beeing a lot rounder and warmer (it's also my choice when occasionally playing on French system clarinets).
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2024-11-20 22:06
My comments were also about the B40 Lyre. It has a slightly smaller tip opening and a longer facing, so is a little more free-blowing than the B40.
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