The mouthpiece is a vital part of the clarinet. It influences the sound clarity, ease of use and tone. Most of the clarinets in the market will come with a standard mouthpiece which many professionals may find inferior hence the need to change it.
The quality of the mouthpiece that you go for will have a direct effect on the kind of sound you get from your clarinet. A quality clarinet mouthpiece will better enable you to improve your skills levels than a poor quality one. This review, checks out the Best Mouthpiece for Buffet R13 Clarinet.
Best Mouthpiece for Buffet R13 Clarinet – Comparison Table
| Model | Weight | Dimensions | Availability |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vandoren CM3108 5JB | 2 oz. | 1.75”x 6”x 1.75” | Check Price |
| Vandoren CM308 B45 | 0.8 oz. | 2”x2”x 6” | Check Price |
| D’Addairo Reserve MCR-XO | 0.5 oz. | 4” x 1.2” x 4” | Check Price |
| Vandoren CM3188 M30 | 0.8 oz. | 6” x 2” x 2” | Check Price |
| Vandoren CM346 B5Q | 2.5 oz. | 1.8” x 1.8” x 6” | Check Price |
Review of Best Mouthpiece for Buffet R13 Clarinet
Vandoren CM3108 5JB – Best for Jazz clarinets
This mouthpiece by Vandoren is respected as one of the finest by many jazz clarinetists who praise it for its remarkable intonation and crisp expression. The Vandoren comes with a profile 88’ beak that has a tip of 1/100(147 microns). It also comes with an elongated façade and this makes it suitable for reeds of size 1.5 to 2.5. The profile 88 bill gets its distinctive characteristics from its sheer exterior angle which makes it quite different from other standard mouthpieces in the market.
The Vandoren comes with a proprietary vulcanized rubber which is identified by its constricted tip. This unique design is what has made the mouthpiece preferred by Jazz and classical musical styles. The design also helps students learn the tips of clarinet playing. This is because the mouthpiece helps beginners test the resistance when playing. The mouthpiece ability to replicate the entire tonal spectrum helps professional players acquire new levels of experience. The mouthpiece contributes to the production of warm and rich tones.
The Vandoren mouthpiece weighs in at 2 oz. and measures 1.75”x6”x1.75”. It is made from heavy duty materials and this contributes to its durability. On the downside due to the narrow tip opening players maybe required to blow in more air.
What we liked:
- Designed for most Vandoren clarinets of no. 1.5 to 2.5
- Made for jazz enthusiasts
- Long facing layout
- Ebonite mouthpiece that ensures tone purity
- Simple sound application
What we did not like:
- Small opening means you need to blow more
Vandoren CM308 B45 – Best versatile mouthpiece
Vandoren has established itself as a renowned brand for musical instruments for many years. This mouthpiece by Bernard Van Doren comes in handy for many professional clarinetists. Part of its distinguishing characteristics is its transitional opening tip and medium long face. It is designed for the Vandoren 2.5-3.5+ reeds but you can use it with other clarinets in the market. The CM308 has an opening tip dimension of 0.01mm (119.5) which is quite ideal for B flat clarinets.
The mouthpiece is made from high-quality materials and this adds to its durability and superior sound quality. It also ideal for various musical levels due to its responsiveness. The Vandoren weighs in at 0.8 ounces and measures 2”x2”x6”. It is lightweight and easy to use. This clarinet will help students through the various levels of their training to become experts. It is ideal for classical, jazz, and folk music genres.
What we liked:
- Compatible for traditional jazz, folk, classical music and blues
- High-quality mouthpiece for beginner and expert musicians
- Amazingly great tones
- Well rounded smooth rich tones
What we did not like:
- Complaints of the tad being too open
D’Addairo Reserve MCR-XO – Best precision milling
The D’Addairo is a masterpiece mouthpiece that is made from state of the art technologies which tries to recreate the timeless pieces of the 1920s. The mouthpiece has being machine-milled from heavy duty rubber and this contributes to its durability and consistent sound. The mouthpiece features some elegant curves and angles that give it a unique sound.
Due to its precision milling the D’Addairo is on a class of its own and this makes it perfect for Bb clarinets. In fact, its design is so unique that it has inspired the production of other clarinets. The mouthpiece is quite versatile and is used by students and professionals. The company put together a team of technicians, engineers and craftsmen and this contributed significantly to its superior design and quality. Computer Numeric Controlled (CNC) milling has being used in its construction to give it consistency and uniqueness.
What we liked:
- Made from proprietary rubber for uniform tone
- Aids apprentice players become expert
- Durable with consistent tone
- Unique design
What we did not like:
- It’s a tradeoff between tone quality for ease of use
Vandoren CM3188 M30 – Best for tuning out notes
The purpose behind the design of the Vandoren is to allow clarinets have more way in how they tune their tones. The mouthpiece comes with a broad and unusually lengthy tip rail. This gives it the same tonal abilities as the B40. The CM3188 is designed in France and offers the perfect balance between flexibility of use and performance.
The mouthpiece is tune to A=442 and has a tip opening of 115(1/100mm). It works best with Vandoren #3-#4 reeds.
What we liked:
- Profile-88 beak for straightforward sound projection and excellent playing position
- Wider tip opening for superior sound production
- Offers greater tonal flexibility
- Long ligature for maximum playing comfort
What we did not like:
- It may take players sometime to get used to it
Vandoren CM346 B5Q – Best for professional clarinets
The Vandoren mouthpiece is designed for the professional level and offers some amazing sounds. It is made with quality in mind and this means you are going to be having this piece for sometime before it wears out. The Vandoren comes in an elegant appearance that complements your clarinet. It weighs 2.5 ounces and measures 1.8” x 1.8” x 6”.
The mouthpiece has a history of responding to all registers and this allows the player to make use of it even for the highest of notes. The Vandoren is extremely flexible allowing for staccato and legato execution for large intervals while still ensuring the player gets the same richness of tone.
What we liked:
- Impeccable sound quality
- Lightweight
- Made from high quality materials
- Elegant
What we did not like:
- Too expensive
Buying Guide for Best Mouthpiece for Buffet R13 Clarinet
Most clarinets offer standard mouthpieces which while good for beginners may not be that ideal for a professional. This is because the latter needs some sort of ability to influence their sound quality. Mouthpieces can be changed to suit unique preferences. It is important to factor in your unique facial contours when choosing a mouthpiece. This means you will need to take a careful watch at your oral cavity size, mouth and lip size. The mouthpiece will influence your playing style so it is important to make the right choice for your clarinet. Here are some key factors to consider during purchase.
Mouthpiece design
The two main factors that you should consider for mouthpiece design include the facing length and tip opening. The tip opening is the span from the reed to the mouthpiece tip. A mouthpiece with a wider opening at the tip also tends to be more responsive to smoother reeds while that with a smaller tip is more responsive to tougher reeds. The facing length is the point where the mouthpiece reed gets detached from the mouthpieces table. We describe this to be short facing when the separation takes place closer to the tip. It is medium facing when the reed is a little farther away from the tip.
When it comes to choosing the perfect mouthpiece you should be careful to factor in both the tip opening and facing length. This gives you both comfort and a customized sound. For beginners it is recommended that you opt for a mouthpiece that has a medium facing extent and tip opening.
Responsiveness and Tonality
A standard mouthpiece will have a facing length of 2.5-3.5 reeds and a tip opening of 110 microns. The right mouthpiece will affect the tonal attributes, tone color, response and resistance. If you go for one with a tip opening of less than 110 microns than you are going to experience a more focused sound with less resistance. For more resistance and a more well round sound go for those with a tip opening greater than 110.
Ligature
Once you have selected the right mouthpiece you will also need to consider getting yourself a matching ligature. This piece firmly secures the reed to the mouthpiece hence allowing you to vibrate freely. For faster sound response go for a lightweight ligature while a heavier one makes the sound darker.
Material
The material used for making the clarinet will largely influence the kind of sound you get from it. Most of the beginner and student clarinets are made from plastic with ebonite being used for more intermediate and professional pieces. The latter produces a sweet sound and is capable of reaching a higher volume. For those seeking a more elegant piece you can go with glass. This material produces a mellow sound that is preferred by jazz players.
The Tip
You can have two kinds of tips – open and closed. The tip is identified as the part of the reed that is towards the end of the mouthpiece. This opening determines the kind of sound you get when you play an instrument. For sounds the more closed a mouthpiece is the darker the sound as you get less resistance. If you have a more open tip then the resistance is increased and you get a wider and brighter sound.
Suitability
The next question you will need to ask is what type of mouthpiece should you get if you are a student, beginner or professional. For a beginner it is recommended you opt for plastic mouthpieces as opposed to glass or ebonite. This is because the plastic ones tend to produce some brilliant sounds which will help you in your development. As you move through the various training levels you can get one made from glass or ebonite.
When purchasing your first mouthpiece you may want to do it from a music store as they are well versed in the different mouthpieces available in the market. An expert is better able to advise on style depending on your skill level.
Type of clarinet
As you choose your clarinet it is also equally important to learn about the different types of clarinets in the market. The clarinet most people are familiar with is the Bb clarinet. This is because of its simple design and ease of use. The Bb clarinet is what you will encounter when you start your musical career hence its popularity with students and beginners. The Bb clarinet is quite versatile and can be used for producing a variety of musical sounds like Mozart, swing, jazz and a wide range of repertoire music.
The Next clarinet you will encounter is the A clarinet. While a very important piece it is mainly used by classical players. In fact, you will find them carrying both the A and Bb clarinet for plays. You will also find them switching in between the A and Bb even plays. As you progress from student to intermediate you will find yourself finding more need for the A clarinet.
The Eb clarinet is quite popular with orchestras and concert bands due to its ability to produce higher melodies. It is a great choice for a player who has moved into expert level this is because it does require some skill to get used to.
Bass clarinets tend to be the largest of the family of clarinets. In fact due to their size you may require a strap to carry it or a stand to place it. The bass clarinets offer a sizeable repertoire which makes them ideal for playing in pop, jazz and orchestral shows. The bass clarinet also differs from other clarinets in that the bell is upward turned. This makes the instrument resemble a saxophone. You have two key variations for the bass clarinet – low range Eb and low C. This leads to the bass clarinet producing a deep and sweet tone.
The last category is the harmony clarinets which is really not that much of a type than a class where you can tune the clarinet differently. You will need to order the harmony clarinet from a music store.
Taking care of clarinet
The reason why you need to consider the type of material when purchasing a clarinet is because the maintenance is a bit different. A young player may not need a wooden clarinet due to the amount of care required for it. As a player becomes more professional they can opt to move up the scale from wooden to plastic clarinets. You should note that the climate of the place you are playing will affect the quality of your clarinet. Dry climates tend to draw moisture from wooden instruments and this can cause them to crack. If you own such a piece of equipment than having a humidifier will help keep it moisturized and prevent it drying too fast.
On the other side is a place experiencing too much humidity. Humidity will cause damage to your wooden instrument. To prevent this you will need to apply some oil to the bore playing it. This helps clean it while keeping it free of moisture. Once you purchase your clarinet you will also need to break it. This is the practice of playing your instrument for around 15 minutes than changing the bore carefully. The purpose of all this is to remove moisture from the instrument. You can then extend playtime to 30 minutes the following week and 45 minutes the other week.
FAQ
Which is the most ideal tip opening for the mouthpiece?
Most standard clarinets will come with a mouthpiece that has a tip opening of 110 microns. Anything that is narrower than this means you are going to experience less resistance while anything larger means you get more resistance and a well-rounded sound.
What is the best facing length?
Most clarinets have a facing length of about 2.5 to 3.5 reeds. It is important that you get the right mouthpiece dimensions as this will affect your tone color, warmth, and resistance. You will find dimensions clearly stated on the mouthpiece during purchase.
Conclusion
The Buffet R13 is one of the most popular clarinets and is used by professionals across the world. The tone for the clarinet is more focused hence making it perfect for playing jazz, classical music, soloists ad is used by apprentice players and professional clarinetists alike. The mouthpiece will influence how the clarinet produces sound and it is equally important you get a matching one for your clarinet.
Charlotte Moore
Charlotte Moore is a Clarinetist by profession and has over time offered lessons on how to play the clarinet among other musical instruments. And while a majority of clarinet players are well versed with the process of settling with a good clarinet among other accompanying features. There is little information about clarinets. The reason why Charlotte prepared comprehensive experts touching on the various facets of the clarinet. The consolidated information will offer more insight on everything clarinets including the best stand to use, and the best plastic clarinet that you can invest in, among other information. Charlotte Moore is a devoted mother of two and a professional clarinet player.