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Vandoren mouth piece recommendations

Robinsonangela1978

Robinsonangela1978

I upgraded my 14 year old son’s clarinet mouthpiece over the summer (post ABRSM grade 8 based in the UK) from a Vandoren B40 to an M13 Lyre 13 series. I must admit that I didn’t do quite as much research as I should have done before I purchased it…. He’s adjusted well to the beak profile design - the main issue (which has been particularly noticeable since he joined the county youth orchestra in September) is that his clarinet is consistently flat even when adequately warmed up. He’s using 65mm barrel on his Buffet Gala B flat and a 64mm on his Buffet RC A clarinet. He plays on D’addario Reserve 3 strength reeds. Intonation was never a major issue before.
Having done the research I should have done in the first place, I’ve seen a variety of comments on various forums saying that this can be a problem with the M13 lyre 13 series as they’re pitched at 440Hz. We’ve found a local woodwind supplier who offer mouthpieces on approval so we have the option of being able to try a few out. His teacher has suggested a Black Diamond BD5. Any other recommendations or suggestions - Vandoren or otherwise?
 
I can relate to that as back in 1973, just one year out of high school, I was a member of the 264th Army Band in Honolulu, Hawaii. My former high school instructor, Mr. Tamanaha allowed me to attend a high school home game on their athletic field as an alumni clarinet player for their American football pep band in the bleachers.

Interestingly, I used the Army issue Buffet clarinet and it was a bit flat compared with the rest of the band. I didn´t have a shorter barrel, but the Army Band played at pitch A=440, which it was okay.

Nowadays I play sax, although I did purchase 2 used Boosey & Hawkes Edgware wood clarinets a little while back to repair and use for jazz.

I don't know if Buffet offers an optional shorter barrel or of another maker who makes shorter ones that fits Buffet. I haven't kept up with clarinet mouthpieces, so can't help there.

Maybe someone else might chime in.

Since you are based in UK, there is another woodwind forum based in UK, Café: International Sax Forum . They have some that play clarinet to include professionals, and could direct you to solutions and sources in UK, perhaps even in your hometown or nearby.
 
Doing a little searching, shorter barrels than 65 mm are available. Thomann GmbH, Treppendorf, Hans-Thomann-Straße 1, D-96138 Burgebrach, Germany has a 62 mm barrel: https://www.thomann.co.uk/buffet_crampon_moennig_bbclarin_barrel_62mm.htm for
£123 including VAT + £10 shipping to UK.

I selected UK for location, but since I am researching this from a US IP address, your costs may show up differently. However, shorter barrels are available. Also, it would be good to verify that the barrel selected will fit your son's model of Buffet clarinet.
 
Robinsonangela1978 said:
I upgraded my 14 year old son’s clarinet mouthpiece over the summer (post ABRSM grade 8 based in the UK) from a Vandoren B40 to an M13 Lyre 13 series. I must admit that I didn’t do quite as much research as I should have done before I purchased it…. He’s adjusted well to the beak profile design - the main issue (which has been particularly noticeable since he joined the county youth orchestra in September) is that his clarinet is consistently flat even when adequately warmed up. He’s using 65mm barrel on his Buffet Gala B flat and a 64mm on his Buffet RC A clarinet. He plays on D’addario Reserve 3 strength reeds. Intonation was never a major issue before.
Having done the research I should have done in the first place, I’ve seen a variety of comments on various forums saying that this can be a problem with the M13 lyre 13 series as they’re pitched at 440Hz. We’ve found a local woodwind supplier who offer mouthpieces on approval so we have the option of being able to try a few out. His teacher has suggested a Black Diamond BD5. Any other recommendations or suggestions - Vandoren or otherwise?
Click to expand...
I'm not sure my experience (72 year-old hobbiest clarinest for 62 years) will be comparable, but I encountered the same problem with the M13 Lyre a few years ago, leading me to have a collection of 4 different barrels. I switched to the Vandoren BD4, and the problem went away. I shop online, and most of the retailers allow 14 day returns, so you can try out several mouthpieces without excess cost. Just be sure to use a pad on top to avoid creating teeth marks on any mouthpiece you might be returning.
ghostler said:
Doing a little searching, shorter barrels than 65 mm are available. Thomann GmbH, Treppendorf, Hans-Thomann-Straße 1, D-96138 Burgebrach, Germany has a 62 mm barrel: https://www.thomann.co.uk/buffet_crampon_moennig_bbclarin_barrel_62mm.htm for
£123 including VAT + £10 shipping to UK.

I selected UK for location, but since I am researching this from a US IP address, your costs may show up differently. However, shorter barrels are available. Also, it would be good to verify that the barrel selected will fit your son's model of Buffet clarinet.
Click to expand...
 
I'm not sure my experience (72 year-old hobbiest clarinest for 62 years) will be comparable, but I encountered the same problem with the M13 Lyre a few years ago, leading me to have a collection of 4 different barrels. I switched to the Vandoren BD4, and the problem went away. I shop online, and most of the retailers allow 14 day returns, so you can try out several mouthpieces without excess cost. Just be sure to use a pad on top to avoid creating teeth marks on any mouthpiece you might be returning.
 
beyondreasonabledoubt said:
I'm not sure my experience (72 year-old hobbiest clarinest for 62 years) will be comparable, but I encountered the same problem with the M13 Lyre a few years ago, leading me to have a collection of 4 different barrels. I switched to the Vandoren BD4, and the problem went away. I shop online, and most of the retailers allow 14 day returns, so you can try out several mouthpieces without excess cost. Just be sure to use a pad on top to avoid creating teeth marks on any mouthpiece you might be returning.
Click to expand...
Thank you - he’s actually in the process of trying a BD4 and BD5 on approval at the moment. BD4 is the front runner. They handily sent them out with on.
 
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