[Benon]

Hi, I'm currently looking for a mouthpiece which could perform better in a jazz quartet setting (clarinet/piano/acoustic bass/drums) than my current Vandoren B40 Lyre with Mitchell Lurie 3 1/2 on my Buffet E13. I need something more open - current mouthpiece is far too small. I play a Lebayle 8* and Guardala Brecker II w/ Rico Jazz Select 3S on my tenor, if that can be a hint concerning optimum resistance for me. Could you recommend me something?

TIA,
Szymon

 

[Roger Aldridge]

Szymon,

Given that you're playing clarinet in a quartet I cannot help but wonder if you really need a more open clarinet mouthpiece. If I was in your position I would do the following: 1.) Change the Rovner ligature for one that doesn't dampen your sound. It's been my experience that Rovner ligatures do that. I've tried a lot of ligatures over the years and the one that gives me the best results in quality of sound, response, and projection is the Vandoren Klassik string ligature. I'd suggest that you try that first and see what it does for you. Then.... 2.) You might be able to get a stronger sound on your B40 mouthpiece with a thick cut (ie, more "wood" in the heart) reed that is made from higher quality cane. The Gonzalas F.O.F. is a great reed. It's worth a try. I'm thinking that trying these two things first may give you better results with your current mouthpiece.

If you continue to be unhappy with the B40, then you will need to try a selection of mouthpieces to see if you find one that you really like.

Personally, I am very impressed with Walter Grabner's clarinet mouthpieces. They have made a big difference for me on clarinet and bass clarinet. I've found the Grabner K14 to be a fantastic mouthpiece. It has a dark, warm, big sound that rings and has superb projection. The tip opening is only about 1.07 mm; yet, I have no problem being heard in a big band.

Good luck!

Roger

 

[KennyZ]

try a John Pierce !!

Szymon,
it seems that you are encountering my same problem of some years ago...

start to try a JP,it is more opened (0.055") than the B40 (0.047")

I hope that you have my same impressions..

I regularly used also a B40 (profile 88 it is a bit better)
but, when I have compared it with the JP I have inexplicably found it
literally, unequivocally

clogged​

in all the senses...
try for believing

I am waiting to receive a Morgan J7 from Junkdude, but, due to the unexpected passing away of Ralph (RIP) it seems that there are some problem...

 

[daigle65]

There is no relationship between the tip openings on saxes and clarinets, the resistance and embouchure on each instrument is different. I also play fairly open on sax (tenor .115 wich is about an 8*) but on clarinet I use a B45 with vandoren #4 and I'm satisfied with the volume and projection. If you have a proper clarinet embouchure you really don't need a more open mouthpiece.Try using slightly stronger reeds.
East european folk clarinetist will often play with very open mouthpieces and very soft reeds but the tone is radicaly different from a jazz or classical concept.

 

[garyjones]

my personal favorite for a louder more free blowing clarinet mouthpiece is a fobes 4L. Yo can try the 6L too but its too open for me. They are clear playing across the break and speak well over the whole horn. Pomarico jazz is a good dixieland type sound. pomarico diamond is quite similar but darker. Jody Jazz 7 is a good jazz clarinet mouthpiece as well. again like above you can try an 8 but for me i can't controll the 8 at all. I would avoid vandoren and consider them all student mouthpieces.

 

[retread]

I would avoid vandoren and consider them all student mouthpieces.

That will certainly shock a lot of fine clarinetists. They are not my choice, but they are used by many accomplished players.

 

[MM]

Actually after trying a bunch of things I find the good old Vandoren B45 a good mouthpiece that can "go both ways" and cover pit and big band playing. If you want something louder and brighter I have a Beechler (1.35mm tip) FS which Bob Carpenter tweaked, see the FS threads. I like my Grabner K14 for more legit situations: it is ok for pit work.

 

[silvin]

I would avoid vandoren and consider them all student mouthpieces.

:shock:
Paul Meyer, Alessandro Carbonare, Guy Deplus, Luis Rossi ... to name a few, are, indeed, all students

 

[stevesklar]

i've recently play tested (and tweaked) a Beechler - a very nice mpc for lead. it's brighter than normal and louder than normal. in tune with a 3 reeds too, so good for doublers

 

[MM]

It was my Beechler that Steve tweaked. The mouthpiece was ok before and now it is great! It should work out very nicely for dance band gigs.

If anyone has any clarinet mouthpieces that need some work, I recommend contacting Steve. The hard core classical mouthpiece guys are not always eager to work on a "jazzier" brighter or more open clarinet mouthpiece.

The Beechler is not for sale now.

 

[A Greene]

I found a used Morgan J6 and found it extremely comfortable to play even with it's large tip opening. You may want to try either the RM-28, J5, J6, or J7 for a baseline before your final decision.

 

[dzve]

Have you tried a vandoren 5JB, its their jazz mouthpiece and I play one.Its great,however a 2.5 or 3 reed is hard enough for one of these.

 

[Dave Dolson]

I have two Vandoren 5JB's. They do have warmth and volume but they are too spread in sound and lack a certain focus for my uses. Everyone is different. DAVE

 

[Benon]

Currently I'm testing a new Lomax mouthpiece; I'm not sure what model it is, but as soon as I will have opportunity to play it again, I'll check that. It's a very open & powerful mouthpiece with a huge sound on my E13 & Vandoren V.12 #3...