What is the best clarinet mouthpiece to purchase?

Question

My parents are buying me a professional clarinet for college, but I want to know what is the best mouthpiece to purchase?

Answer 1

I love the CHARLES BAY mouthpieces.  Very smooth sound, and easy to blow.   I have also heard good things about the CASPER mouthpieces.

Answer 2

In my span of playing the clarinet I have only had two mouth pieces. As a beginner I played on a Vandoren 5RV Ligature (I am not referencing the ligature that holds your reed, this is actually the name). I HIGHLY recommend this for any NEW player. Very easy to play for anyone.

Just recently my private studies teacher switched me to a custom made Charles Bay. He also had me switch ligatures- from a rubber marching one to a Bonade (WHAT A DIFFERENCE THAT MADE IN TONE QUALITY!!!!!!).

Now to address your issue, it is all about what YOU make YOUR best sound on. Of course, someone will tell you blah-blah is better then blah-blah- DON'T LISTEN! Again whatever YOU make YOUR best sound on! Good Luck!

Sorry I wasn't much help!

Answer 3

i use a vandoren M13, and i think it works great.

Answer 4

I feel you my friend

But I have to break it to you that there is no best in mouthpiece. each mouthpiece is built differently for the ideal sound a wind player is seeking.

So your quest for finding the best mouthpiece should be changed to finding the mouthpiece best fits to your demands.

As for myself I own a nice variety of professional clarinets, but my favorite of the bunch is a Buffet R13 Festival, and for that clarinet i use the M13 profile 88 series 13, i choose this mouthpiece because it allows me to use very very strong reeds, am talking 4.5 or even 5, and since that certain mouthpiece has a very small opening, it allows me to play the strong reed with the sure easy producing sound and beautiful resonate quality of a number 3 but with the superior support on the upper octave and the quick responsiveness of mind boggling staccatos.

But this clarinet is mine ALL OCCASION clarinet, so i choose something that would work in any situation.

But for yourself, you have to ask yourself what quality do you desire in YOUR sound. And then go into the painful stage of finding, not best, but your personal mouthpiece.

i suggest you go to the nearest music store and try a couple professional vandoren models and see what kind of sound each produces.

i can assure you, when you find the right one, you and only yourself will be able to distinguish it.

btw, the mandatory mouthpiece to try are the following:

Vandoren: 5rv, 5rv Lyre, M13, B45, B44 and if you are into jazz its the 5JB.

think of these as the roots of rivers, but after you decided on one of the followings, the branch of the river will expand into endless possibilities...

good luck =]

Answer 5

I use the Vandoren B45 and LOVE it. Ive gotten compliments on my tone ever since i bought it.

Answer 6

Each mouthpiece is going to be different for each player.

Personally, I have 2... one cost me $20 and is a Zinner blank (I think it's an E15?)... the other one cost me $225ish and was hand made for me by Clark Fobes... they both work very well for me, and I honestly can't tell the difference!

Which reeds and ligature you use also effect your tone, technique, etc.  

I would wait until you get to college and ask your professor what he recommends... some teachers have different requirements and preferences, so you don't want to buy a new mouthpiece now only to put it in a drawer in 3 months.  Also, your professor may be able to get you a deal on a more expensive set-up.

If you are intent on buying a new mouthpiece, take your horn into a music store and ask to try out a bunch of mouthpieces.  Try to find one that feels comfortable, gives you a great tone, and can easily play the entire range of your horn.  The less you have to work for the basics, the easier it will be for you to focus on other aspects.

No matter what people on Y!A tell you, your mouth is built differently than anyone elses, and what they use may not work for you.

Good luck, and have fun in college... those are my best memories! :)

PS~ I do hope that by "professional clarinet" you mean a Buffet R13... if it is a Selmer Signature, please try before you buy, and if it's anything else, don't waste your money!

Answer 7

Pyne mouthpieces are fantastic as are Vandoren M30s especially. Vandoran also has some other great mouthpieces. However I would not recommend the B45.

Answer 8

PLEASE DON'T GET WRAPPED UP IN THIS "WHICH IS THE BEST" BECAUSE THERE IS NO ONE "BEST."

Your options greatly depend on what you are willing to spend. $200 to $250 is probably a good max for you right now. TRY, TRY, TRY and try some more. I can't express how imporant it is for you to try before you buy. For example, someone may tell you, "Get the Vandoren M13 Lyre! It's the best." It may be the best for them, but most likely it's not what YOU need.

Vandoren is a good place to start as they have fair pricing, consistency and many facing options. You are sure to find one that works good for you.

If you want to buy a more "professional" mouthpiece, and yes I do see lots of differences, I would suggest to you Clark W Fobes. He has an array of facings to choose from, unlike most custom mouthpiece makers. He is easy to work with and a nice person. If you need some modifications done to your mothpiece to make it play better for you, he would be glad to help you. I have practically sworn to use his mouthpieces for the rest of my life because of their great, well projecting tone that leaves a nice ring in the sound.

Disclaimer-I am not endorsed by any brand, including the ones mentioned here, so there is no bias. I just love what I use. However, realize that there are many other brands on the makret with quality products. Don't limit yourself.

Good luck.

Answer 9

I recently bought a VanDoren 5RV mouthpiece that a clarinet teacher recommended and it works great!