 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-11-24 13:22
I use my usual Clark Fobes mouthpiece on my C Ridenour Lyrique clarinet. As of high B above the staff and then the altissimo register, everything is flat and doesn't sound too nice (all is fine up until then). Is there such a thing as a specific mouthpiece for a C clarinet? Maybe the size of the bore of a C clarinet is different from that of the B flat clarinets and usual moothpieces are not a good fit. I've tried Vandoren, Lomax, ..other mouthpieces and have had the same problem.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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Author: kdk
Date: 2025-11-24 21:30
Ruben, I'd ask your question of Tom Ridenour. He would have the best insight into what a C clarinet of his design would need for optimal results. I've always used my normal Bb/A(/C) mouthpiece on my (quite old) Noblet C with perfectly good results. The same mouthpieces seemed to amplify intonation problems I had with the Patricola C that I bought in new 2007. I think it was someone at Patricola who recommended a VD M15 (traditional, not Series 13), which was *not* my regular mouthpiece, that solved some of the problems but not all. I think C clarinet designs are different enough that, if the designer and manufacturer are around, I'd ask them about compatibility issues.
Karl
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2025-11-25 14:13
KDK - that recomendation for your Patricola is interesting. It can't be the lay that makes the difference. My understanding is that the old range VD mouthpieces (including M15) all had the same chamber, the only difference being between Standard and Series 13. So I'd have thought you'd get the same pitch results with any VD Standard mouthpiece.
The Patricola may be made to 442, if so, it would need a VD Standard mouthpiece in any case.
Any thoughts?
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Author: graham
Date: 2025-11-25 15:38
Modern C clarinets have circa 14.5mm bores and are intended to be played on usual French mouthpieces. Even my 1888 Buffet C plays on a standard mouthpiece.
However, Pillinger says as follows: “ 926 For B&H 926 clarinets. Used by some player on French bore clarinets (may require the barrel to be 2mms shorter). This mouthpiece improves the intonation and tonal properties of many C clarinets.”
So perhaps worth considering a 926 mouthpiece (larger exit bore, conical).
graham
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2025-11-25 16:30
When I bought a C clarinet it came with a mouthpiece that, according to the maker, was specific for a C clarinet and made by them to be sold with that model of C clarinet. That C clarinet played better with my regular Bb mouthpiece...
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Author: JTJC
Date: 2025-11-25 21:09
Graham. Yes, I've heard that a taper can help. Although the bore of a 1010 mouthpiece is supposed to be cylindrical, a slight taper at the top (slot end) of the bore helps raise the pitch of the third register. A taper of some sort might help the OP. A stiffer reed than normal can help as well.
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2025-11-26 07:14
I always used my Bb mouthpiece on my Buffet C (bought 1976) with no problems.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book-- 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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Author: Erez Katz
Date: 2025-11-26 10:50
My C instrument works fine with my Bb mouthpieces.
Some are better matched response-wise than others, but no tuning issues.
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Author: ruben
Date: 2025-11-26 10:57
Erez Katz; My mouthpiece works fine on my C clarinet too...up to to A above the staff. As of B, above the staff, not so well. Maybe the altissimo register on any C clarinet isn't so good.
rubengreenbergparisfrance@gmail.com
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