So I`m getting my Wooden Buffet soon and need a new mouthpiece (since I`ll be selling mine and the one with the buffet is RANK). Parents said they`ll buy the mouthpiece, and I`ll buy the ligature (my gran`s buying the clarinet).

So my teacher suggested mouthpieces:

Vandoren 5rv
Vandoren B40.

What do people think? I do a lot of classical playing... but modern stuff too. Just everything in general really!! I wanted a pretty see through one... but are they any good? Not the solid crystal ones... jeeez are they expensive!!

Also ligatures (no, not to hang myself like my dad said)... My teacher just quickly suggested one as I was leaving:

BG `concerto` made out of leather... the box says something about it being good for staccato. £25-ish?

So opinions... suggestions... places to buy in Northern England!!

Thanks!

There are so many different ones to suggest, it`s mind boggling. How much are you looking to spend on the mouthpiece and ligature? (sorry, I only have a dollar-sign on my keyboard). In the $60-ish range you should try the Vandorens suggested, as well as the Vandoren M13 (and the variations like the M15, M13-lyre, etc.). I played on that one for a couple years and like the sound and easy projection. If you want a crystal mouthpiece, there are some that can be found for around $80. But, make sure you play any crystal mouthpiece before buying it. They can be wildly different even if they`re the same model mouthpiece. At the higher end of the spectrum, Clark Fobes mouthpieces are wonderful. I currently play on his Zinner CF+ and absolutely love it.

Ligatures are a different story. The expensive ones often aren`t worth it. I use a Rovner that costs $20. And the best I`ve ever had was a shoelace wrapped around the reed (but it`s more trouble than the sound is worth, so I don`t like using it). Just don`t go with the Vandoren Optimum. It sounds OK, but tends to make indentations on your reeds, so the next time you use that reed, it won`t hold as well. Inconsistence is bad.

I was looking at the BG Super *insert word here*... it`s about £25. There seems to be 3 types of the leather-effect ones - standard, *that word*, super *that word*.

So was the $60 you put actually 60 dollars, or did you mean pounds?

I`ve seen the Vandoren b40 and 5rv for about £50. Will look for the other you mentioned.

Think I`ll have a chat to the other parapetetic woodwind teacher... she`s a lot more experienced than my teacher.

I agree with Andy, and adding my own input here:

But, make sure you play any crystal mouthpiece before buying it. They can be wildly different even if they`re the same model mouthpiece.

-The same goes for any brand and material, actually, although the difference may not be as large. Whatever you`re buying whether it be clarinet, mouthpiece, or ligature, try before you buy

At the higher end of the spectrum, Clark Fobes mouthpieces are wonderful.

-At the lower end of the spectrum, also! His debut is absolutely wonderful. I recommend it to all my students. Cheap and my favorite beginner mouthpiece..

*insert word here*...

Revelation?


BG makes a good ligature, but don`t forget rovner, too! I`ve had no experience with the optimum, but then again I know many proffesionals who use it.

Revelation! That`s the one!!

I can spend up to about £60? Would the debut suit a non-beginner... I`m taking Grade 8 in July, so not exactly a basic beginner.

Thanks for any help.

Emily, the prices I listed are in US Dollars. So, take about 10% off for Pounds Sterling.

I haven`t tried the Clark Fobes Debut mouthpiece, but I`ve heard good things about it, and at only $40 or so, it sounds like a good deal.

Incidentally, my ligature is a Rovner too.

Actually the debut is only $25. wwbw seems to be out of stock but you can always get them directly from mr. fobes himself (who, by the way, will be more than happy to help you).

Yes! it is definetely suitable for a non-beginner. I`d say give it a try by all means.

I`m using the new rovner evo-5, recieved as a present. It`s supposed to have characteristics of all four rovner ligatures (false advertising, anyone?). The thing I really like about it is being able to awe the easily impressed by turning it inside out and putting it sideways with similar results. It`s a lot of fun to mess around with!