Clarinet Mouthpieces

WOODWIND & BRASS LTD | MOUTHPIECES | Clarinet Mouthpieces

Clarinet Mouthpieces

In the case of the single reed instrument such as the clarinet the mouthpiece is usually separate to the instrument. In the case of the single reed woodwind instrument (clarinet & clarinet) the chief purpose of the mouthpiece is to provide an opening through which the instrument can be "blown". In reality what happens is that air enters the instrument via the mouthpiece (via the mouth) and one end of the air chamber vibrates via the combination of the air stream (formed by our own breath) and the clarinet reed.

clarinet mouthpieces are "wedge-shaped" - the single reed is placed against the table of the mouthpiece in contact with the player's bottom lip. When blown, the reed vibrates,causing the air column inside the instrument to do likewise. The shape of the inside of the clarinet mouthpiece has a huge affect on the sound of the instrument. As a general rule, mouthpieces with a large rounded chamber sound very different to ones with a small or square chamber.

TIP OPENING: The distance between the tip of the mouthpiece and the tip of the reed.

FACING: The curved section that leaves the "table" and continues to the tip of the mouthpiece. The length of a facing is defined as the distance from the tip of the mouthpiece to the point where the reed and mouthpiece meet. See sax mouthpiece picture above.

The different elements of a mouthpiece (facing length, tip opening and chamber size) all have a different effect on the sound produced. Short facings on a mouthpiece tend to be linked with a wider tip opening (Jazz players sometimes use this combination) also with a softer reed - volume is increased with this arrangement. Long facings combined with narrower tip openings and harder reeds make pianoissimo playing easier but make volume less easy to obtain.

The clarinet mouthpiece chamber or interior space has more effect on the tone of the instrument. Eg the size of baffle and shape of the chamber will affect whether the tone is clean or buzzy, mellow or bright. But it should be stressed that all these characteristics will alter depending on the way the instrument is blown and the embouchure of the player. Playing style counts for a lot. You may buy a jazz mouthpiece (or one that is meant to sound right for a jazz musician) but that does not necessarily make you a jazz player....

Clarinet Mouthpieces - Vandoren, Yamaha, Selmer, David Hite, Pomarico

The clarinet mouthpiece is in many ways similar to the saxophone one. There are as many variations, perhaps, but somewhat fewer arguments about baffle, facing and tip opening, and the interior of the mouthpiece tends to the narrow with a square cross section visible through the throat. Unlike the saxophone mouthpiece, it has a cork ringed tenon at the base which fits into rather than over the barrel of the clarinet. The smallest clarinet is the Eb, then Bb and A (which can usually use the same mouthpieces as they are very similar in size), the alto and bass clarinet and even the contra-bass clarinet for which I'm afraid at present we don't really cater. Most students begin on the Bb (B flat) clarinet. Even a new clarinet will benefit from an upgraded mouthpiece right from the start, as most student clarinet do not come with a very good mouthpiece. Changing to a Yamaha mouthpiece, for instance, may be with a 1R Rovner ligature will create a better response and easier playing almost immediately.

Bb (B Flat) Clarinet Mouthpieces

B flat clarinet mouthpieces - the most univeral clarinet - the one most frequently begun by students while at school - our mouthpieces start at just £23.57 for the Yamaha rubber mouthpiece.

Eb (E flat) Clarinet Mouthpieces

Eb (E flat) clarinet mouthpieces for the smaller of the family of clarinets - we stock Yamaha, Vandoren, Selmer. Prices start at just £30.83 for the Yamaha rubber Eb clarinet mouthpiece.

Alto Clarinet Mouthpieces

We stock alto clarinet mouthpieces from Yamaha and Vandoren.

Bass Clarinet Mouthpieces

Woodwind and brass stock mouthpieces for bass clarinet from Vandoren and Yamaha. Prices start at just £41.71 for the Yamaha basic rubber bass clarinet mouthpiece.

WOODWIND & BRASS LTD | MOUTHPIECES | Clarinet Mouthpieces

Woodwind & Brass Ltd