Clarinet Mouthpieces: How To Choose A Good One For You 

Hi Michelle, good information. I would also mention never run your swab through the mouthpiece. That's the quickest way to ruin an expensive investment. Also, my experience is that I end up with a better outcome when I try mouthpieces with my teacher. Her insights have often led me to choose different mouthpieces than I was drawn to on my own. Thanks for your excellent contributions to the clarinet community.

You should do a video one barrels, it would make sense since you've made one on ligatures and mouthpieces.

I've been using an M13 Lyre for about 6 years for my classical playing and I've always gotten a stable crisp tone from it especially after switching to Vandoren V12 3.5+ reeds. I use it in combination with a Bonade ligature. I used to use a Rovner dark ligature but I feel like I get a more instant and brighter tone.

Really helpful, well-organized, and understandable! Thank you so much, Michelle.

I'm a flutist, but my son is a beginner clarinet player. He's been playing for almost 2 years. So, this was very good information. I am looking to upgrade his mouthpiece, and have no idea where to start. Good video!

Thanks for all your videos Michelle Anderson. I use vandoren BD5 and legere signature series reeds.

Nice presentation and very helpful.

Thank you for your advice via email Michelle. I went to my local music store today and tried out a bunch of mouthpieces and have settled on the Vandoren Black Diamond. :)

Love your videos, can you make a video teaching us a basic blues scale so I could improvise with a b-flat backtrack.

As always your teachings are great. I tryed several mouthpieces until I found a crystal one (Pomarico Ruby) that works better for me with a soft reed.

Thanks much Michelle. Very helpful info about how better mouthpieces are better. I don't really have a chance to try different ones so will start with Vandoren M!3 $92 on Amazon.

Play, on Rico X0 and it sounds awesome.

Just a thought here. I have been playing a 1947 model of a La Monte clarinet for the last 50+ years. Yep, same one i learned on. Now, I am using the same mouthpiece that came with it. And I can make my clarinet sing with a tone no other clarinet can match. Larger bore than what is found nowadays, it projects beautifully, and very easy to play. The only problem is being sharp and needs rings to lengthen it. I cannot find any barrel to fit it. Yet I can live with that. It is amazing what technique can do.

This video was made for me!!!! Some how, my mouth piece has chipped!!!! Thank you so much!!!!

Hey, Michelle I just started playing clarinet, and I cannot tell you how much you've helped me. Your videos are extremely helpful. I would do anything to have you as my teacher; sadly I live "across the pond." Wish me luck and determination. Keep up the good work, and greetings from Denmark. - Henrik

hi michelle i use a vandoren bd5. Its a great moutpiece

I play on Buffet Aparis mouthpiece and clarinet and I really like it!

Hey Michelle ! First off all i would like to say that you are a great inspiration to me and that if, some day, i become a clarinet teacher i will definitely use the teaching methods you have developed in your instructional videos . Also, I would like to ask you if you have noticed any tuning problems from using ''series 13'' (vandoren) mouthpiece with non- r-13 clarinets (for example with a buffet festival) .

Very useful tips in this video. U are right I have been playing my beginner clarinet for 1 Year, now It makes me crazy to play higher notes in some music pieces. May be if I change my mouthpiece I can play it easier Instead of buying a new clarinet! Thank u very much Michelle u r awesome 👍🏻👍👍🏼

I love my Vandoren 5RV with Rovner Dark Ligature and Vandoren V21 #3.5 reeds. I was using the traditional reeds but your video on reeds convinced me to try them.

Thank you so much for all the valuable information shared!!! I've just recently (re)started playing clarinet (played from 7 to 20 yo and haven't touched a clarinet for 15 years) and I'm finding this channel really useful. I'm using Vandoren 11.1 mouthpiece (I'm still struggling with the embouchure) and it gives me a rich and "round" sound which I like.

I have been using every Yamaha mouthpiece from 3c to 7c. The last two mouthpieces that I bought were the J Hite and the Pyne Simfonia. The best mouthpiece I have is the Pyne Simfonia, because it has a better material and it has a better tone. the J Hite is similar to the Yamaha 7 c in the sound, but if you don't play the highest notes it can save you a lot in articulation since I use a softer plastic reed number 3. My next step should be having a 300 + mouthpiece once I become better.

Great video. I agree, the mouthpiece is most important. I've actually found myself moving towards more open mouthpieces. I started with the M13 then went to the M13 Lyre then M30. Now I find myself very happy with the B40 13 by Vandoren with a 3.25 Legere signature or 3,5 Vandoren reed. Other great mouthpieces that I've tried were Rico mouthpieces (surprisingly dark sound but articulation wasn't very crisp in my opinion) and the Nick Kückmeier PlayEasy mouthpieces. The Kückmeier's have such a warm and resonant sound but for me don't project enough. Viotto mouthpieces are also top quality.

When I was in eighth grade, I broke the mouthpiece that came with my clarinet (unfortunately it happened mere minutes before a solo contest in front of a room full of people), and I got a brand new one for like $20 or less from a local music store. There was definitely a sound difference, and as much as that mouthpiece drives me crazy sometimes, it actually sounds better.

As a rank amateur (at best) beginner with a good quality grenadilla clarinet, I've had the best luck with J. & D. Hite Premiere mouthpieces. I have two identical ones for my Bb and C instruments, and the Hite mouthpieces are inexpensive.

Love this, thank you! I recommend the Clark Fobes Debut for my new-to-clarinet students.

I have bought Vandoren B45 dot, Profile 88 (CM3098). I am a complete beginner (did "Down by the Sally Gardens" yesterday and started "The Enternainer" today), but I could feel and hear the change instantly and it was a big WOW. I play it with Vandoren and Rico Royal reeds no.2- 2 1/2 (2 1/2 -3 1/2 Traditional or V.12 3-3 1/2+ are recomended, but I am not able to blow no.3 without "hiss sound" yet) and love the sound. Not sure, if I would pick up Profile 88 again, it might be a tiny bit too long for me, - but where I live, it is not possible to try different mouthpieces in even bigger musical shops and so I have no comparation. Before i ordered B45, I tried to buy Clark Fobes Debut, but shipping rates and customs were so high I just went for Vandoren at the same total price. Some people at the internet did not recommend B45 for beginners as they said it is too open but I listened to different comparation videos and loved the B45 sound sooo much I took this risk and am happy with it. I envy the states, where you can try different mouthpieces before buying, anyway. Michelle, thank you for your videos. I pay my private clarinet teacher, but he seems to be more of a good musician than a good teacher. I have learned more from your and William Ridenour videos so far. If I ever decide to move abroad, It would be Vancouver, BC for sure (:-).

The new BD5 from Vandoren is hands-down the best mouthpiece I have ever played, and that goes for custom pieces as well. It's worth a try!

Michelle, I purchased a Clark W Fobes Europa mouthpiece for $250. Before the Fobes, I I was on a Vandoren BD5. My tone drastically improved! At the TMEA convention, I tested a Behn Epic mouthpiece. I instantly feel in love, but was struck away by the price; it was $750!

I have Ridenour that I like at the moment, I also used Brad Behn in the past which I also liked.

I use a Rico reserve X0 (a very closed facing mouthpiece) with vandoren bluebox 3.5 reeds and a vandoren optimum ligature and a buffet e11 clarinet.

I am playing a Vandoren B45 with a 2,5 Vandoren reed... Some times a legere 3... But I really fund in the 3th octave from the C on going up my sound is sharp. Is upgrading my mouthpiece a good idea? My Clarinet is a Boffet Crampon R.C. Presige.

I have a Reserve Rico X0 and Vandoren B45.I love playing on the B45 because it is so easy to play and it is perfectly in tune.However,the Rico X0 has a more warmer sound.

Hello as you can tell, I am a sax player for over 40 years. I am buying an older overhauled R13. (Beginner!)I read where the Vandoren B46 is good for sax players. Any ideas??. I have plenty of chops and air. I play a #3 V16 on my Tenor and Alto saxes, and a #4 on soprano which is similar size to clarinet MP. Thankyou in advance.

I use a refaced Vandoren M15 mouthpiece with either a 3.75 Signature Légère or a Vandoren V-12 4,0. Also, I recommend exploring vintage clarinet mouthpieces; they're generally made with better material, and can be refaced to play as you want it. In my experience, they tend to be more resonant and projective, especially vintage Chedevilles and Kaspars!

I just purchased a B Portnoy mouthpiece. Mr. Portnoy is/was with the Philadelphia Philharmonic. It is very reed friendly. The first time I played it I was amazed at how little effort it took to play and get a wonderful sound. I was playing on a B45 Vandoren. The Portnoy was much more easier to play and again, the sound is terrific!

I’m now using a Selmer Concept for Bb clarinet with orange box Rico #3 reeds. Anyone else tried the Concept?

Someone gave me a Selmer (Paris) C, when I started playing again after many years of not playing. It was better than whatever came with the rental instrument I had. I later bought a used Selmer (USA) "Soloist' & the seller had 2 MPs for me to try. The Selmer (Paris) HS* was just amazing (by comparison). I said, "Oh my gosh, *this* is what I want a clarinet to sound like!" Of course, someone else with a different mouth might have a different experience. It sounds even better with Mitchel Lurie reads -- my favorite so far. Next time I need new ones I'll try Vandoren, but that won't be for a while.

Michele ... I received a new Protege from Backun ... you mentioned you have a cocobolo Moba barrel and bell. Could you tell me what size or specific model you have? I would like to get the same set up for my horn. Also could you tell me the model for your Backun mouthpiece Thanks for your help

I’ve been playing on an M15 lyre for 15 years and I’m thinking about getting a new mouthpiece. I play sax as well but I’m a lot more picky when it comes to changing clarinet mouthpieces. I’ve been playing clarinet for 45 years but I’m open to new ideas. So any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Hi Michelle, I love your videos. I was just wondering, do you have a video that discusses the overall best order to upgrade parts of your clarinet? I watched the ligature video before coming to this one and you said that the mouthpiece is better to upgrade before the ligature. So I think it would be helpful to have a video that offers a guide on what you should upgrade and when. :) Thanks again for your wonderful videos.

I have tried two mouthpieces that I like and they are very different. One is a Brad Benn Vintage II. A very different mouthpiece I like takes a lighter reed, equivalent to a Vandoren 2 1/2. This is a Ridenour HW mouthpiece (HW = Harold Wright). You can read up on both of these mouthpieces on the respective websites. I also like a Clark Fobes CWF mouthpiece. In my student days, I played an O'Brien glass mouthpiece. But nowadays, I especially like the Behn hard rubber quality of the low register. I am returning to playing from nearly 50 years of not playing, so I am hesitant to make comments. But spend for the quality. I also think that it is worth investigating a quality barrel such as that made by Clark Fobes. Hard rubber lined Cocobolo seems to make a difference with my 1913 Buffet model A clarinet. It improves intonation.

Hello Michelle, I am a clarinet player who is currently an undergraduate Music Education student. I am just curious how you feel about the differences between the Silverstein Ligature you use now compared to the original classic you used to? Thanks, Winfield

I play on an M13L but not sure which ones to try. Can you talk about how they are different other than the quality of how they're made like which brands is the opening slanted more or bigger or smaller? And what about the M13 L does that tend to have a smaller opening or bigger and the b45 does that tend to have a bigger or smaller opening and are the more higher end ones tend to gravitate towards the smaller openings are the bigger openings or do they have a mix. And do ligatures play much of a difference in sound quality or are they just a tool to hold the reed in place. I also use vandoren V12 reeds in strength two and a half and three. I find it more difficult to play on the b45 mouthpiece but I'm not sure why I tend to like M13L or even which ones to try with that being said

I love my Gennusa Excelente GE. This is a low resistance mouthpiece with a warm sound. It was designed by Iggy Gennusa, longtime principal clarinetist at the Baltimore Symphony Orchestra. The GE has a close tip distance. On any mouthpiece, watch that the tip rail is perfectly consistent in width. Also, the reed platform should be perfectly flat and the side rails consistently the same on both sides.

hi wonder how can tell a clarinet been play since july had tell if is clarinet is wood r plaster how would i know cause i want get new one what good one if get some advice ..i upgrade mouth piece then go on with reed too but just to upgrade to better one that all !!

Vandoren B45, 2/5 Reed = perfect for Musicals where you have to change styles at the drop of a hat. BUT I had to get a shorter Barrel. For Orchestra all the time? I would go with your ideas.

Thanks

Michelle, could you please talk about crystal mouthpieces?

what do you think of old vintage clarinets and their mouthpieces? There seem to be some nice vintage clarinets for sale on the market

Hi, what Clarinet mouthpieces do you recommend that are professional level and high quality?

What does Yamaha have to offer? When i was in band 5 years ago some kid in class knocked over my clarinet and thus my original yamaha (4c i believe) mouthpiece was shattered. The replacement was a generic primo mouthpiece. i have no clue as to whether the yamaha mouthpiece was better or not due to it being so long ago. In your opinion is the mouthpiece i have now decent? Should i look into what Yamaha has to offer (to match) or should i look into the ones you mentioned in the video?

Well... I'm a Bass Clarinet player and I play a Vandoren B50 Bass Clarinet Mouthpiece with Traditional Blue Box Reeds Size 4.

I use a vandoren b45! what barrel is that??

Need a $30-50 price range of standard basic mouthpieces... the best knock-off "4C" mouthpieces... maybe APMs?

You should review the new LIBRE clarinet ligature sold on ebay

I love the pomarico crystal mouthpieces on both my E-11 and Soprano Sax.

I am in year 7 and i have ameb grade 3. Do you recommend me to buy the M13 Lyre or M30 lyre or any other Vandoren 13 Series B-flat Clarinet Mouthpiece? Please Answer!!!:) 😃😃😄😄😄😉😉😍😍😍😎😎😎😤😤😤😏😏😏✔✔✔:):)

Hi, this question doesn't really have to do with this video. For some reason I can't play the high C with just the register and thumb keys, but I can play the D right above, I've been playing bass clarinet for a while, but I was out of it for a while and getting back into it but I don't own a bass clarinet, only a regular Bb clarinet and I'm having trouble with the higher register. And I'm wondering why it's taking so much effort for that C but I can bust out the higher D much easier, is it an embouchure thing or what, I need tips.... Thanks

I highly recommend the vandoren 5jB, I purchased it for about 80 to 100 dollars (I've forgotten the price, sorry) after dropping and chipping my B45 which had come with my instrument, rendering it useless. The 5jB (at least with my experience and set up) is much less resistant on high notes (at least compared to the B45) and produces much more rich on low notes. in addition the 5jB gives a much louder sound which is great if you have a solo or main melody in say a piece where it may be hard for your sound to stand out.

To anyone struggling with a mouthpiece I'd suggest the vandoren m30d mouthpiece. It's made for German system but works on all clarinets. The resonance and power on that mouthpiece is excellent, and the tone is so much darker and colourful than the m30 or M13. Runs for around $180

Hi Michelle... Can a mouthpiece help improve embouchure? Or conversely can a mouthpiece not the right shape for your mouth make good embouchure more difficult?

Thank you for this! As always, very useful. Maybe it's because I have come back to the clarinet as a senior citizen, but when I first upgraded to a highly recommended Vandoren B45 I found it tiring to play for any length of time, and a bit uncomfortable. Pascal Veraquin of Montreal recommended going to the M30 Lyre, and I have since added the M13 Lyre. I use the M30 for band, with a Vandoren #3 reed, and the M13 for chamber music, with a #3.5 reed. Either way, I have found them both much more comfortable than the B45. Incidentally, I have found that the M13 produces absolutely consistent intonation on my elderly Noblet instrument (and in tune with the Noblet's own barrel), while the other two become less in tune as I move up the scale.

I love my B45, hoping to try a M13 and M30 eventually though too

Hi, I just began clarinet and I;m finding that after a little while, the reed is closer to the top. The mouthpiece gets smaller towards the top, maybe thats why my reed slides up a little. I dont know , what do you think?...Thanks

Thanks for the great video, Michelle! After watching, I have been researching mouthpieces for my 9 year old daughter who is a clarinetist. Now that she has become a lot more serious about the clarinet, we are looking to upgrade the stock mouthpiece that originally came with her Jupiter student clarinet. I am really interested in the Vandoren M13 Lyre but I have read in a few places online that you cannot use a reed softer than a 3.0 with this mouthpiece? Is this correct? 2.5 seems to work best for my daughter given her age (she doesn't quite have the wind for a 3.0 quite yet!). We don't really have the option to try out mouthpieces before buying. Could this model be an appropriate choice for her or should I be considering other options? :)

Hi Michelle I wanted to know how you like the Beechler white diamond mouthpiece for clarinets.

Are the M15 and M30s by Vandoran more open than closed? And what size reeds should I be using with them? Thanks!

Is the BVandoren BD5 Black Diamond Ebonite Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece Good? I ahve heard many good reviews. Please Answer!!!:) 😃😃😄😄😄😉😉😍😍😍😎😎😎😤😤😤😏😏😏✔✔✔:):)

I have a B40 13 and nowadays I bought one B45 and one 5RV for tests. I play in a hundred Clarinet France in Ébano, Romain Braude, and I just bought one Evette Shaeffer master model 1950, I don't know if is good, because I don't test him eat, I just learned about this series. I hope if my sound will be better, I am just an amateur, but I love clarinet... Thanks

Sometimes I hate how we have so many different parts and variations of all those parts. It's hard to get a combo that is free blowing, yet sounding full and not thin and brittle, especially up high, and in tune. Eeeeeeeverything affects the sound, ligature, reeds (so... Many... Kinds... Of.... Reeds.......) mouthpiece, and barrel. And even sometimes the bell! It's overwhelming. So I just stick with my Vandoren B45, which is my fav of any mouthpiece I've tried from the $100-150 range, until I can physically try better mouthpieces at a music store. Thanks for the video though, I've been wanting more info on mouthpieces!

For a beginning returning clarinetist which Vandoren mouthpiece would you recommend. I heard that antip opening of 110 is good for a beginning student.

I was at the Music Store and I was trying out Vandoren's new BD5 Black Diamond mouthpiece. (currently I'm using the M13 Lyre) It sounded amazing, my tone quality was so much more clear and professional, some of the clarinet players at the store agreed. The only problem was that the mouthpiece had a different chamber, and this created more air resistance (I has to blow harder) I was wondering, will I get use to this over time?

Clarinets are my favorite instrument so I think it's important that I sound my best

I am playing a Leblanc Bliss Clarinet with a Van Doren 5RV mouthpiece with Van Doren V21, 3 or 3 1/2 reeds. I an finding that the 5RV has me consistently sharp as I play up in the top of the clarion range and once into the altissimo range even more more (as much as 20 cents sharp!). So if I tune for those higher notes (think Sousa marches), my lower (chalameau) notes are flat. What are your thoughts about this? I consistently get criticized in the band for being sharp on those high notes. I am tired of it and want to figure out how to get the entire Clarinet in tune! I am thinking a different mouthpiece will help (with the shorter tube on the high notes.)

hi Mrs Anderson.I have a question.I have been playing clarinet for about 3 years and I play in an orchestra.my tutor told me to use reed 2.5 because I'm professional now but I'm not really comfortable with it.I am really good with 1.5 and I can play high notes with it too.Is it neccessary for me to use the reed 2.5?

Thank you for this interesting video, by the way I play a Vandoren B40 lyre with Vandoren 3 reeds. I am still wondering about the barrel you're playing with. I'd like to have some information about barrels as they are also numerous and very different. Yours , greetings from "Adolphe Sax country"

I am currently using a Vandoren 5-RV Lyre which is definitely a better mouthpiece than the no name brand but it isn't much better than my old intermediate V-b45 mouthpiece so I am in search for a better one. (:

I have a Borbeck mouthpiece. I wish someone would review that one.

Hi Michelle i just bought a bflat clarinet but i don't know what kind of mouth piece i should get.

Hello Michelle. I am just starting to play and intuitively sense that a 'decent' mouth piece would make the learning situation perhaps more pleasant. Given that there are so very many variations in mouth pieces and in the human mouth and given that I do not have the option of trying out mouth pieces, can you possibly recommend a 'good bet' mouth piece. Someone below mentioned a B Portnoy as an easy-to-blow mouth piece? Or, there is the Van Doren M13. Any suggestions you may have would be greatly appreciated.

What makes a mouthpiece easier to play, i.e. use less air to get a clean tone? Bigger gap? Smaller gap? Longer or shorter gap? Do materials make a difference? Tia.

Michelle, when I play, I press my mouth very hard on the mouthpiece, currently I'm using one with 1.10mm open. My sound is very 'stuck', I wish it were a little more open, looser. Would you recommend a larger or smaller opening mouthpiece?

Hello, I was wondering if clarinet mouthpieces lose its tone quality over time. I use a Clark Fobes San Francisco mouthpiece that is over 30 years old. It still works adequately but do you recommend I invest in a new mouthpiece instead?

I am considering replacing with a Vandoren mouthpiece but am a bit confused by what it says on the website. Vandoren cater for the North American market and has traditional and profile mouthpieces? Not familiar with any of these terms. I play a Buffet E 13 and live in UK.

Hi, I have the opportunity to buy one of these three mouth pieces without tryin' them: Vandoren Masters CL4, Vandoren 5RV Lyre and Rico Reserve X5. I'm a total beginner. Can you recommend me one of these?. Saludos desde México.

Anything to say about Vandoren CL4?

I'm a 7th grade Bass Clarinetist and I'm on the schools mouthpiece and I'm looking for one. Does anyone have a suggestion.

B45 13

What do you think of Walter grabner mouthpieces?

Hi there I like the vandoren 5rv lyre. Uses reeds at strength 3 or 3.5

woodwind larry combs. execellent mpc

What do you think of richard hawkins G mouthpiece?

Have you tried the Vandoren Black Diamond mouthpiece?I have heard wonderful reviews.Some include (an almost flute tone in the altissimo),(brilliant ring),and (a dark yet clear tone throughout the low register to the altissimo.

What about buffet crampon?

Michelle ... would be interested in who makes your clarinet ... thanks

How consistent are the Vandoren mouthpieces? Is it possible that I could get one that doesn't play well? I want to upgrade to the BD5 mouthpiece, but my private instructor says they are inconsistent and to be very careful about buying them. Vandoren themselves assure that their mouthpieces are extremely consistent though, so should I make sure to try out whichever one before I buy it?

Does the mouthpiece affect how well you can play certain notes on a clarinet?

I have a clarinet private teacher that makes mouthpieces for D'addario!

I am considering replacing with the Vandoren moputhpieces