Jazz Clarinet Mouthpiece Cheap

[AMDG Sax]

I'm looking for a jazz clarinet mouthpiece that costs less than $75. I know that this is kind of a far fetched fantasy, but if there are any out there, I could really use one.

[matsuo]

I believe it was Eddie Daniels who said there's no such thing as a jazz or classical clarinet mouthpiece. Just a good mouthpiece.

But I've heard John Pierce mouthpieces are great for jazz and about $60.

[JimMetcalf]

Try a John Pierce-WWBW sells them-if you don't like-return it.

[Roger Aldridge]

AMDG Sax,

Please indulge me in asking this question.... What are you looking for in a jazz clarinet mouthpiece? I agree with the Eddie Daniel quote in Matsuo's message. One can get a beautifully resonant and projecting sound on clarinet without resorting to a large tip mouthpiece.

There is a common misconception that believes that volume and projection are the same thing. Not so. It's not unusual for large tip mouthpieces to have a loud sound in the immediate area; however, if one walks to the back of the performance space there is sometimes the discovery that the sound drops partway in the hall. Projection, on the other hand, may not sound as loud close up but the sound carries to the back of the hall.

With my set ups, there are times when I'm thinking that I'm not as playing with as much volume as the others in my ensemble. However, when I ask one of my musician friends he assures me that my sound is projecting fine and, in fact, that my sound is coming out dominant.

With that in mind, I'd suggest that you focus on the quality of your sound....make it as beautiful and as resonant as possible. Especially, in getting a good amount of tonal "ring" in your sound. These are the things that help to project your sound rather than using brute force.

For a $75 range, I'd suggest trying a Vandoren M30. I've heard good reports about that mouthpiece. Also, check the facings and price of Clark Fobes Nova mouthpieces. His mouthpieces are extremely well made. I don't know if his Nova pieces are in your price range, but they might be close. Another thought.... Check out Ben Redwine's mouthpieces. They are surprisingly good for their reasonably inexpensive price.

Good luck!

Roger

[MojoBari]

You can do some searches under this forum to bring up some past discussions. Try "projection" and "jazz". Also "projection" in the Acoustics section.

[mfry]

A lot of jazz guys I see seem to play on Meyers, but any piece that plays well will do. My experience is that it's easier to get a passable legit sound and a passable jazz sound on the same clarinet piece than on the same sax piece. Working on ships for a few years, there were plenty of times I had to play legit clarinet and dixieland in the same set. What worked for me was simply playing with a more direct angle (clarinet bell held higher) and slower airstream for jazz, as compared to for a classical sound.

Long story short, anything you play like a jazz player is a jazz piece.

[pghsaxdude]

if you're still looking, let me know. I have a john pierce in good shape I'd let go for $40 plus shipping. But I also have an old SR (santy runyon) that you will find write-ups on here. Was a west coast piece back in the day....big dark warm sound. $50 for that one. After that, a good 'ol VAN DOREN B45 is about as versatile as it gets.

[bbarner]

You can get a Vandoren 5JB for about $75. It's meant to be a jazz mouthpiece.