My clarinet sounds pretty good but.....

Question

my new laval clarinet sounds pretty good for the reviews ive read of it.

It does not sound flat or anything bad and its not hard to play the high notes. [I guess it is true that a good clarinetist can make any clarinet sound good]. Anyways, I want to know if buying it a new mouth piece will make it sound even better than it is right now

so if anyone nows please tell me?

Answer 1

Please do not use a plastic reed.

Try going up a number or at least half number.

Answer 2

HI Ms Band Geek,

By all means .....  the kind of mouthpiece you use can make all of difference in the world.  Most mouthpieces that come with the clarinet when you buy it are just stock mouthpieces... cheap and nothing special and you have to work like heck to get a decent sound out of it.  Professional clarinet musicians spend literally hundreds of $$$ for custom mouthpieces and most of them have a few just as backups.

If you want a better sound,  you must get another mouthpiece.   I am going to recommend a Vandoren 2RV or 5RV mouthpiece.  Another suggestion I have is to take your clarinet to the music store and ask to try a number of their mouthpieces... and they should let you.   Try two or three and compare your sound with these and with yours.    I am almost sure you WILL see a difference.

We have a 7th grade clarinet player who had the same issue.  When we traded out her stock mouthpiece with a better one, she could definately tell the difference in like 3 blows.   She said it was WAY easier to blow and was so pleased to see that she was not the problem.  

So, check that out.  I think you will also be surprised and happy.

Thanks for reading.

Answer 3

Sometimes the type of reed you buy makes a big difference in sound, when I played I used the plastic type they work great and they last longer.

Answer 4

I would say the mouthpiece wouldn't make much of a difference. I thin it will more be your reeds. Try a vandoren. They are nice and thick. I recomend at your level of playing you stay away from ricos. They are more for a beginner clarinet player and they are just cheap alll around. Try out a vandoren. It can help.

Note: Vandorens are very tough reeds and they need to be sanded down before wetted. But there is a fairly good rico type reed called the rico grande Concert I beleive are suppose to be pretty good. Good luck!!

Answer 5

A new mouthpiece makes a world of difference.  If you're playing on the mouthpiece that came with your clarinet when you first bought it, then it isn't going to be a very good one.

I recommend finding a good music store and asking to play on their intermediate/professional mouthpieces.  It is the best way to find out what you like since you're playing it right there.  Keep an eye out for Vandoren and Clark Fobes.  Most every professional clarinetist I know has a mouthpiece from either manufacturer.  Keep in mind, however, that these can cost anywhere from $80 to $300.

Keep in mind, also, that the reeds you use and your ligature make a huge difference in your tone quality.  If you're using cheap reeds, then won't be as hearty (the very center of the reed, kinda like a sweet spot on a tennis racket), which means you won't get very good tone.  Go and spend the extra money on some more expensive reeds.  You'll notice a huge difference in that alone.  Vandoren Traditional, V12, and 56 Rue Lepic (black box) are all very good, but a little pricey.

As for a ligature, I would try a Rovner Dark or Vandoren Optimum.  Rovner's can be as little as $20, but the Optimum is around $150.  I've tried them both, and can say they're both very similar.

I hope this helps you.

Answer 6

Hi Bnk

Changing the mouthpiece won't do any big difference. Change and try Rico reeds or vandoren.

Here is a nice link to read (reed joke) and get some good info on the reed thickness and how each sounds.

http://www.essortment.com/hobbies/clarin...