Well, yesterday I did a very stupid thing and ended up breaking my mouthpiece. Of course, it was the day before the Solo and Ensemble contest! Luckily my band teacher let me use his Vandoren 5RV, and my performance went pretty well! Anyway, this means I'm going to need a new mouthpiece. The one I had been using was a Portnoy that my clarinet teacher gave to me. Since we have to buy a new one now, she told me to get a Vandoren B45. I've heard that it's a good mouthpiece, can anyone here back that up? Also, I know there's also something called a Profile 88. Is there a way to know if I should get the traditional or Profile 88? Just curious...I've never actually bought a mouthpiece before! Any input anyone can give on the subject will be greatly appreciated!

Oooh, sorry to hear you broke your mouthpiece.

I have a Portnoy and tried a B45. I think I also tried the 5RV and another one, but I can't remember what that was. I adore my Portnoy, but it was a very close toss up between the B45 and the Portnoy. I comes down to whether you want a brigh tsound (B45) or a more mellow sound (Portnoy). I would suggest you went to a shop to try them all out; then you can decide exactly which one you like before you buy!

I don't knwo too much about the difference between traditional beaks and profile ones, only that they are at a different angle. I think when I tried them I tried just the traditional beaked ones. Barry-Clari, and other people, could probably give you some more info on that.

If you do a search there's a whole thread talking about mouthpieces from when I was looking to get one. I'll try and find it later for you if you want.

Good luck!

Here's the link from when I was getting mine;

http://forums.abrsm.org/index.php?showtopi...&hl=portnoy

The 5RV is very different from the B45. The former has a narrower tip opening and favours harder reeds, the B45 is wider and works best with softer. I believe the traditional view is that the narrow tips like the 5RV are more suited for orchestral playing and the open tips better for jazz. However I think it's down to personal preference. The 5RV is the one that's recommended for beginners because it's easier to use.

The 88 model should sound the same as the traditional but it has a narrower curve on the outside which some people prefer. I don't have one, but I heard they're easier to use for people with small mouths and maybe a bit more comfortable.

I have both the 5RV and B45 but if I had to choose, I'd definitely go for the 5RV. I feel a lot safer with it!

Steve

Have a look at the range at Howarth's a great choice on sale there. Try some handmade mouthpieces as well. Try loads and only get the one you feel is the best, don't settle for any old mouthpiece!

I think the person asking is actually in the USA, so maybe difficult to get to Howarths.

Personally I've never bought a MP from the UK. If you look at the prices, they're roughly twice what you pay in the USA. I think if retailers want to try and take us all for mugs, then that's their right. But it's our right to look around and avoid being ripped off. Postage from the USA is pretty cheap...particularly if you take time to look around.

Maybe if enough of us did this, then instrument accessories in the UK would come down in price. The price of clarinet MPs here is scandalous!

Steve

Have tried both, and they do.

I just bought a new mouthpiece too, and it was a toss up between the B40 and the B45. I personally liked the B40 better than the B45, but it's probably matter of opinion! My clarinet teacher talked about angles and things, but I'm not very maths orientated, so I couldn't tell you what difference it makes. Sorry! Anyway good luck for buying a mouthpiece!

A few interesting links:

http://www.saxplus.com/vandoren-clarinet-mpc.html

The Vandoren MPs are listed in order of increasing tip opening and the S/M/L letters refer to the lay or facing of the reed, ie how much of the tip is free of the flat side rails and can move or vibrate.

Thus, you can see why the 5RV is so popular for beginners. Its short tip opening means that it can be used with weaker reeds by those just starting, but is also excellent with strong reeds.

The M/S facing means that less of the tip is sticking up - so a lot easier to get used to and control compared to a L facing, where you have to experiment a lot more with where your bottom lip is pressing the reed.

Also:
http://www.vandoren.fr/en/index.html#
Go to Products...clarinet MPs...Bb and there's a little diagram which may help.

I hope this helps a little. It's not terribly easy to explain.

Steve

Interesting point, i'm quite surprised really, will have to consider ordering accessories for the U.S now i've read that.