Beginning to intermediate level mouthpiecesIf your son or daughter is starting out on clarinet, please don't frustrate them by skimping on second-rate reeds or a cheapo mouthpiece! They will probably be successful with any good-working instrument if they have a good reed and mouthpiece.Some people think it is better to start beginners with a mouthpiece that has a more open facing, like the first two below. This allows the student to use a softer reed and still get a nice, round sound. Here is a list of good, inexpensive mouthpieces for less advance players. I think plastic mouthpieces are fine for beginners. For intermediate players, go with one of the hard rubber ones below.
If you are a more advanced player, you will want a hard rubber mouthpiece. They sound better and last longer, and the good ones start at about $70. 1July2012: I have changed to the Chedeville Prime mouthpiece for my performing and reviewing of clarinets at this site. It gives me a more focused sound, more overtones, and probably a little less open but longer facing than my Vandoren B45. Two mouthpieces that are somewhat similar are the Tom Ridenour TR-40 (a little more closed), and the Portnoy BP02. The Portnoy BP02 is a little softer, mellower, and perhaps has a bit less focused sound. I carry the Portnoy as my backup mouthpiece. See my review at clarinetpages.info. See the Chedeville sub-page with information from my e-mail conversation with Omar Henderson.
During the days I was in grad school and teaching music, I played on a Hite D mouthpiece (tip opening .041"). Sadly, David Hite passed away, but his mouthpieces are still being marketed, and the prices seem quite reasonable. I haven't heard if the quality has gone down. I have one that I purchased after David's passing, and it plays like my other two. These days I hear great things about Fobes mouthpieces. The Hite mouthpieces don't seem to play well with my Legere Reeds. No name mouthpieces are not always bad. If it is plastic (with a very shiny appearance), then it is doubtful that it will be good. Some hard rubber no-name mouthpieces that came with French “stencil” clarinets are excellent. For Advanced Students:All are made of hard rubber. There are many fine makers and models that I have not listed.For a good chart for Vandoren mouthpieces, see saxplus.com.
New information that I need to verify: Concerning the B45 moutnpiece that I use: It's important to note that Vandoren Traditional mouthpieces are constructed to play at A=442, rather than the American standard of A=440. To get an A=440 tuned Vandoren one has to specify the "13 series". Crystal and Poly Crystal mouthpieces: I just had an opportunity to try a James N Pyne * Clarion Poly Crystal mouthpiece. It is beautiful, but I hated the way it played. I didn't like the sound or the response with my Legere Signature 3 3/4 reed. Poly-crystal is evidently some kind of plastic. It doesn't feel at all like the cool glass feel of traditional crystal mouthpieces. The traditional crystal breaks easily when dropped. The poly-crystal won't have that problem. From a long time ago when I tried a real crystal O'Brien mouthpiece, it had a quick response and kind of a hollow sound.  But don't take my word about jazz stuff. See the JAZZ page! Good-old Mouthpieces found in cases:These mouthpieces are often found with used horns, and I like them.
Footnotes:For other recommendations, I would trust the people at Muncy Winds (See Links). A good place to see technical information (like tip opening measurements) is The Woodwind&Brasswind.Many other measurements and technical information is found in this article at ClarinetPerfection.com. See this thread about beginner mouthpieces at woodwind.org. How to measure mouthpiece facings, discussed at woodwind.org. |
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Mouthpieces |
