Download the FREE PDF “Vandoren Clarinet Mouthpiece Comparison Chart” from this video which includes links for purchase and price points: clarinetnotestudio.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/vandoren-clarinet-moutpieces-comparison-chart.pdf
Thank you for another wonderful informative video! It was so helpful to actually hear you demonstrate the different mouthpieces. Thank you for the thoughtful work you put into your videos!
Thank you for this video. I just got in the market to buy a new mouthpiece so this is very timely for me. I am currently playing on a Fobes Debut, but my instructor recommends I move on to a mouthpiece with a little bit wider opening than the1.0 mm, so I will be looking at these and trying them out at my local store
I need some mouthpiece recommendations for using V12 number 3 reeds. I already have some they kinda work on like B40, B45 Lyre, 5RV Lyre and BD7 which is the closest ideal but still lacking in playing high notes. On my D'addario pieces they kinda work on X5 but I need more resistance. I find in general even more open Vandorens like the 3.5 V12 rather than the 3, so I think I'm gonna try some Reserve mouthpieces which they're more resistant. Would you say the X10E or the X15E?
Hi! Great question! I have not tried any of the D’addario mouthpieces, but I have tried the reeds and really like them. Just by looking at the specs on D’addario’s website I would think the X10E would be more resistant based on how they describe the facing of the mouthpiece. I’m copying this info from Brad Behn’s website about clarinet mouthpiece facings (he makes a great mouthpiece if you ever want to check his site out), www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/mouthpiece-nomenclature-guide# “Facing has influence over everything. The facing is the curve that the reed vibrates against. It runs the entire length from where it leaves the flat surface of the table all the way up to the tip of the mouthpiece. A facing's length, opening, nature, efficiency, and symmetry will affect the playability of the mouthpiece. If the facing length is short, then the resistance will be high. With shorter facing lengths, softer reeds are required. Smaller curvatures can also give the player a sense that the tip is more open in feel. However, with a longer facing length, the resistance decreases. Longer facings with flatter curvatures require harder reeds and can give the player a sense that the tip is more closed in feel.” I would probably recommend that you try the X10E and the X15E just to see what you like better. The mouthpiece I currently play on is very resistant (James Pyne Bel Canto). As I get older I’m noticing that I just don’t have the same stamina to play on that mouthpiece, so I might start looking for a new moutpiece as well. I hope this helps! Let me know what you end up getting. Thanks! -Julianna
@@clarinetnotestudio4851 Thank you for the full answer! I'll keep you updated. I also like the Reserve classic reeds, they're more responsive than V12s in a way. I just prefer V12s cause one box easily lasts 1 year plus even when I'm full-time playing and they are more reliable. Cons are that some need softening to bee playable, even on M15 which likes stiffer reeds but the quality and sound is top.
Hey do you know any mouthpieces that are good with legere reeds? I’ve been wanting a new mouthpiece and I don’t know which one it would be compatible with. I use #4 but I might go down to a 3.75
Hi @lexluther_9904, good question! Ideally, any mouthpiece should work with legere reeds, but I have a few recommendations for you based on my experience with legere reeds. I prefer the European cut over the other cuts they offer because it’s the most similar, in my opinion, to the Vandoren boxes of reeds. shop.legere.com/collections/clarinet-reeds/products/bb-soprano-clarinet-european-signature-series?_gl=1*1uk6jq6*_up*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwn9y1BhC2ARIsAG5IY-6jEZ7l8dykuNoc6rWFJ5AKpgWFB7mEUtgmpSZhtkWKtgM_4meuFQYaAmIEEALw_wcB&gbraid=0AAAAADnbl9OZpp4bGVHOd22pOKzq4Zyo5 I also find that I need to size down one quarter in reed strength compared to my traditional reeds (so I play 3.5 strength Vandoren traditional box clarinet reeds, and I size down to the 3.25 legere European cut reed). In my opinion the legere reeds offer more consistency overall, however you might find that you need to test out different strengths before you find a good fit for you. If I were to give you advice about a Vandoren mouthpiece with a legere reed, this would be my personal pick: 1. Vandoren M13 Lyre or M15 mouthpiece, 2. with a 3.25 - 3.5 legere reed (European cut). Just keep in mind that what works for me might not work for you without some trial and error. If you’re used to #4 reeds, I would try a 3.75 or 3.5 (I wish Legere reeds were more affordable). Another point I’d like to mention that my clarinet friends and I have noticed is that legere reeds are great, but they don’t last forever and can warp inward over time with wear and tear. I hope this helps! Let me know what you end up trying. -Julianna
Hi, thanks for the video. If possible i have a question: I use b40 13, but i'm really interested for M15 13 for more quickly staccato. Is it a good thought or not?
Hi @imazzi1183, great question! I’ve never tried the B40 (13 series) on Bb clarinet, but my bass clarinet mouthpiece is a B40. That being said, I personally experience greater ease with articulation when I play the M15 (13 series) compared to the B45 (which has the same facing and tip opening as the B40) on Bb clarinet. The B40 has a 119.5 tip opening and an ML (Medium Long) facing compared to the M15, which has a 103.5 tip opening and an L (Long) facing. Here is some info from Brad Behn’s website about mouthpiece tip openings and facings: www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/mouthpiece-nomenclature-guide “Opening is the gap between the tip of the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. An open mouthpiece is usually fitted with a longer, flatter curve to reduce resistance. A close mouthpiece is usually fitted with a slightly more extreme nature to the curve to create the correct amount of working resistance. Generally, more open mouthpieces require greater embouchure pressure to properly focus the sound, and they require more embouchure "maintenance" keep the sound under control. More close mouthpieces require less embouchure pressure and tend to have more hold. Generally, people seeking a dark and covered tone, or a wider range of flexibility prefer more open facings.” “Length refers to the point where the curve departs from the table. It is the part of the curve that is farthest from the tip. Generally, a facing with a long length feels closer and free whereas a facing with a short curve will feel more open and resistant.” I personally prefer a Medium facing with a more open tip opening, but that comes with more resistance. I find the M15 more flexible and colorful than the B45 when I play them back to back. So long answer short, yes I would recommend the M15 to you for more ease with staccato, however make sure you can return the mouthpiece if it doesn’t work out for you. Apologies for my wordy answer, I just don’t want to lead you astray! Let me know how it works out for you! -Julianna
thank you very much for your really interesting answer. Finally i have the M15 13. I'm just a hobbyist musician, but I want to share my little experience. B40 13; is a compact sound mouthpiece rich in harmonics, but is not fast enough for the staccato, or maybe i'm the problem. M15 13 is really fast for the staccato and easy for the notes over acute, the sound is less rich of harmonics but everything is easier and you can use ticket reeds that help to fill with harmonics. Finally i like both! I'm glad to have them.
@@imazzi1183oh great! I’m glad the M15 is working out for you! Thanks for the update and I hope you continue to have great success with the mouthpiece!
