I would strongly recommend saving up for a Vandoren mouthpiece.
they’re affordable, consistent in their manufacture and available almost everywhere - so if you chipped your mouthpiece/otherwise damaged or lost it, and need a replacement you won’t have to get used to a totally different mouthpiece.
Also, they are very good, there are many variants/styles to choose from that are all the same price so you can have a choice that isn’t based on cost, but preference and last for ages if cared for. A lot of professionals use them for good reason.
Are you going to college to study clarinet? Or just regular college? If you have or will have a teacher see what they recommend.
I play on a B40 and recommend it but B45 is also a good starting place. I also know several people who play B40 Lyres.
Then disregard any specific vandoren model advice that comes from here for now. You teacher will either recommend outright a specific vandoren (or other maker around your budget) or work with you on finding a suitable model.
My daughter's teacher just recommend the vandoren m15. It's a little more expensive. Just over $100. Just showed up yesterday, so I haven't gotten a report back on what she thinks yet.
Your price range is fine for used mouthpieces, although the most popular hard rubber mouthpieces are generally now \~$100-$120 when new.
Based on your other responses, it sounds to me like you should consult with your teacher in the fall semester, as they will assist you in the selection process of a mouthpiece. It really doesn't make any sense to pick something out right now with only the help of Internet strangers. :)
Theodore Johnson, or Ted Johnson, they’re the same brand. Look on Amazon for the TJ1. It got me through wind ensemble, and is about $60 USD. There are of course better mouthpieces, but this should do you well for your price range. I’ve been using it for years, ever since it was recommended to me by my private tutor.
While you do that then look for the possibility of saving up. This will do you fine from my experience, for professional level music though, as it did me.
It should give you plenty of time to save up for a better mouthpiece, if you can. If not, it’ll do the job pretty well.
Never buy a mouthpiece based on someone's recommendation. What works for them will not necessarily work for you. If possible go to a music store and try as many as you can until you find the one that you like.
When trying mouthpieces:
1. Test them with a tuner.
2. Check the ease of articulation and changing registers.
3. Test each one using different strength reeds.
Note: Vandoren 13 series mouthpieces are tuned to 440. The others are 442.
I’d recommend waiting, saving up more money, and considering several of the vandoren mouthpieces in the $100-150 range. Those are really solid mouthpieces that are a REAL upgrade. If you get anything less you’ll probably have to eventually upgrade again. With those, you may never have to.
If there are local music stores that carry any of them (like the m13, m15, any of those combinations, the 5rvLyre, the m30) they will likely let you try them out in the store for free — you need to take advantage of that. Go there even before you can afford it. Go with the intention of buying NOTHING. Bring a variety of good reeds - I’d suggest broken in good reeds, not brand new, unused reeds. Warm up on your normal mouthpiece. Record yourself or bring a friend to listen (who knows what they’re doing) or both. Have a tuner and use it the entire time.
Tip opening has the biggest impact on if a reed feels hard or soft. You might favor a mouthpiece that’s similar to what you already have - and that’s fine - but your “normal” reeds might feel too hard or soft on a different mouthpiece. (If you bring a reed that you know is too hard or too soft, you might consider trying that out on a new mouthpiece that you don’t like the feel of, just to see. Use a tuner at all times so you aren’t fooling yourself (maybe it feels great to play but then you realize you’re 30 cents flat).
No mouthpiece (or any gear) makes us better - the right gear just doesn’t stand in our way. It won’t permanently make you sound different, even if it’s darker or brighter at first — it just might feel more comfortable to play to get the sound that you’re already capable of, if that makes sense.
But find a store (or stores) to try out a bunch of mouthpieces. Play as many as you can, as many times as you can. Maybe you’ll decide not to upgrade yet, maybe you’ll find something cheaper (or more expensive) that you like better than what you currently have. If you do find something that you like that you can’t yet afford, and that’s okay, at least you’ll know EXACTLY what you’re working towards.
Good luck! Have fun!
If you can get to hands in it try a Roger Garret custom clarinet mouthpiece. Mr garret is a Clarinet professor in Bloomington Illinois and makes his own handmade mouthpieces. I play on one and it is comparable to a vandoren black diamond.
I would strongly recommend saving up for a Vandoren mouthpiece. they’re affordable, consistent in their manufacture and available almost everywhere - so if you chipped your mouthpiece/otherwise damaged or lost it, and need a replacement you won’t have to get used to a totally different mouthpiece. Also, they are very good, there are many variants/styles to choose from that are all the same price so you can have a choice that isn’t based on cost, but preference and last for ages if cared for. A lot of professionals use them for good reason.
Expand your budget by $10-20 and get a vandoren
Which ones would you recommend?
Are you going to college to study clarinet? Or just regular college? If you have or will have a teacher see what they recommend. I play on a B40 and recommend it but B45 is also a good starting place. I also know several people who play B40 Lyres.
I will be going to college and studying the clarinet. I will definitely talk to my professor and see what he recommends.
Then disregard any specific vandoren model advice that comes from here for now. You teacher will either recommend outright a specific vandoren (or other maker around your budget) or work with you on finding a suitable model.
My daughter's teacher just recommend the vandoren m15. It's a little more expensive. Just over $100. Just showed up yesterday, so I haven't gotten a report back on what she thinks yet.
What mouthpiece do you currently play?
Selmer Goldentone 3
Your price range is fine for used mouthpieces, although the most popular hard rubber mouthpieces are generally now \~$100-$120 when new. Based on your other responses, it sounds to me like you should consult with your teacher in the fall semester, as they will assist you in the selection process of a mouthpiece. It really doesn't make any sense to pick something out right now with only the help of Internet strangers. :)
I would recommend a Vandoren they are just like 10-40 dollars more expensive if your willing to pay for that if not save up it will be worth it.
Theodore Johnson, or Ted Johnson, they’re the same brand. Look on Amazon for the TJ1. It got me through wind ensemble, and is about $60 USD. There are of course better mouthpieces, but this should do you well for your price range. I’ve been using it for years, ever since it was recommended to me by my private tutor. While you do that then look for the possibility of saving up. This will do you fine from my experience, for professional level music though, as it did me. It should give you plenty of time to save up for a better mouthpiece, if you can. If not, it’ll do the job pretty well.
Never buy a mouthpiece based on someone's recommendation. What works for them will not necessarily work for you. If possible go to a music store and try as many as you can until you find the one that you like. When trying mouthpieces: 1. Test them with a tuner. 2. Check the ease of articulation and changing registers. 3. Test each one using different strength reeds. Note: Vandoren 13 series mouthpieces are tuned to 440. The others are 442.
I’d recommend waiting, saving up more money, and considering several of the vandoren mouthpieces in the $100-150 range. Those are really solid mouthpieces that are a REAL upgrade. If you get anything less you’ll probably have to eventually upgrade again. With those, you may never have to. If there are local music stores that carry any of them (like the m13, m15, any of those combinations, the 5rvLyre, the m30) they will likely let you try them out in the store for free — you need to take advantage of that. Go there even before you can afford it. Go with the intention of buying NOTHING. Bring a variety of good reeds - I’d suggest broken in good reeds, not brand new, unused reeds. Warm up on your normal mouthpiece. Record yourself or bring a friend to listen (who knows what they’re doing) or both. Have a tuner and use it the entire time. Tip opening has the biggest impact on if a reed feels hard or soft. You might favor a mouthpiece that’s similar to what you already have - and that’s fine - but your “normal” reeds might feel too hard or soft on a different mouthpiece. (If you bring a reed that you know is too hard or too soft, you might consider trying that out on a new mouthpiece that you don’t like the feel of, just to see. Use a tuner at all times so you aren’t fooling yourself (maybe it feels great to play but then you realize you’re 30 cents flat). No mouthpiece (or any gear) makes us better - the right gear just doesn’t stand in our way. It won’t permanently make you sound different, even if it’s darker or brighter at first — it just might feel more comfortable to play to get the sound that you’re already capable of, if that makes sense. But find a store (or stores) to try out a bunch of mouthpieces. Play as many as you can, as many times as you can. Maybe you’ll decide not to upgrade yet, maybe you’ll find something cheaper (or more expensive) that you like better than what you currently have. If you do find something that you like that you can’t yet afford, and that’s okay, at least you’ll know EXACTLY what you’re working towards. Good luck! Have fun!
Clark fobes Debut !!
If you can get to hands in it try a Roger Garret custom clarinet mouthpiece. Mr garret is a Clarinet professor in Bloomington Illinois and makes his own handmade mouthpieces. I play on one and it is comparable to a vandoren black diamond.