They should be standard for every new player regardless of age. They really set things up for success long term and short term. Clark is wonderful for giving the option to our students
Fobes all the way! I've been recommending them for ages. I don't play on the pro ones anymore, I went back to B40s, but the Debut... man. There's nothing in its class. Great video!
The Fobes is totally great right? It is amazing that Clark has given the clarinet world such a treasure to start out everybody's journey with the clarinet.
in my experience...everything that clark fobes makes is great! The debut facing is relatively reed insensitive, the price is unbeatable, totally stable and sweet tone. Not only that, Clark has the absolute best customer service!
Clark is a super hero walking amongst mortals. Everything he makes is beautiful. He is also incredibly kind, fair, and patient. A huge asset to our community
Never played a woodwind. Now retired, 64, I’m going to give it a try. Picked up a used, mint, Buffet B12 from music store, yet to play. Wanted to make my chances of success better, so I ordered the Debut Bundle moments ago. Next reeds, and 3 books recommended as I have already subscribed to this channel. Fun, fun, fun.
Great channel, Jay! Thoroughly entertaining and informative. Thank you. When I started I bought a Hite Premiere as the Fobes Debut is pretty hard to get hold of in the UK. Very happy with the Hite but when I upgraded to a Noblet Artist (made in the summer of love!) the Hite was a little loose in the barrel. So I bought a VD B45 which I was very happy with. Alas, I dropped the B45 on the bathroom floor (the acoustics are nice in there) and it shattered. So it was back to the Hite. But the good news is, that in the meantime when I wasn't using it, the Hite cork must have slowly expanded back to a previous size and now it fits perfectly and doesn't wobble (unlike my air support).
Derek! I was thinking about you the other day. Your presence on Facebook and enthusiasm for the clarinet was really important to me in the early days of the pandemic. I have launched (although still on an extremely small scale) a program for adults wanting to play clarinet. I was looking carefully at what you were doing, what was challenging, and how you went about it. I took much inspiration from you. I doubt the live portion of my class would work out time wise in the UK so I won’t go into the full sales pitch:) I wish I had a Hite to include in this video. I also wish I had a Behn overture. I think those are great as well. It is so nice to hear from you. I hope things are going great with all parts of your life.
Hi Jay All good here, thanks. Hope you are, too. I’m flattered you remember me and amazed that there was anything I ever played on, or wrote about, the clarinet that has proved of value to you. But it’s great if I did :-) I guess as an adult learner that there are many things that are different compared to a young learner. And I may be slightly different to other adult learners as I’ve played the guitar to a moderate level for forty-five years and have done many hundreds of gigs, so there’s a sense of knowing what I want, and why, and some impatience to get there. That knowledge of what the road looks like in the far distance is really the big one. Especially when it comes to genre / style. If I were eight years old and working through A Tune A Day and practising scales and playing the simple folks songs and simple classical pieces in that book, I would more than likely accept my teacher’s wisdom and advice and let things unfold naturally over many years. Eventually I would discover the music and the artists that move me, inspire me, and sign-post my future direction, and by the time I made those discoveries I would have some tone, some articulation, some chops, as it were. As an adult though, I already know that I love Edmond Hall and Benny Goodman, Evan Christopher and Kenny Davern. I already know that I want to swing and growl and play up really high! I know I want to be able to improvise. So there’s a huge weight of impatience bearing down on me (especially as the second big thing for adult learners is that feeling that we’re too late, that time is so much tighter, that we really need to push on fast...) and playing all my scales in keys that I suspect I’m never going to use feels like time that could be far better used learning some blues or swing phrases in the keys that I’m likely to encounter them. Not saying, that’s correct - and a few years in I can’t help but suspect I’m wrong, and that doing it slow and steady would still have got me there (wherever that is) quicker. So my path, wrong that it may have been, was to play lots of longs notes, and all the major scales, but as soon as possible start playing over swing songs. I recall practising the F# major scale, and crossing the break, almost from day # 1 and working on the altissimo register even before I was halfway through A Tune A Day book #1 (and whilst still on a 2.5 reed) because I knew that when I eventually got my air support and tone and dexterity together I didn’t want to only then start on those things. But... alas, I don’t know if that plan really worked out. I still can’t get a tone I like and I struggle to listen to the stuff I recorded then. Maybe my ears are better now, in terms of the clarinet, but I find myself more and more returning to the foundations, playing long notes, just searching for tone. So maybe slow would’ve been better? Other things that the adult me did that an eight-year old me wouldn’t have done was to search out tunes and exercises in the jazz and blues styles. This was good, and added interest to my practice that I wouldn’t have got otherwise. But, again, what was I missing out on? There’s probably some balance to be had here. I also transcribed a lot. I do this on guitar. I suspect adult learners who don’t play another instrument wouldn’t consider this, or wouldn’t have the software to slow solos down and notate them. It was - and is - good for me. To be able to learn a few licks and play them over blues backing tracks was great fun and helped generate and maintain that enthusiasm. I guess the key here is to understand what style any given adult is aspiring to (if they have a preference) and at least bring a little of that into their early playing. I need to shut up! This is far too long... Keep up the good work. I really love the channel and the insight. It’s great. Derek@@clarinetninja
@@DelOfTheShire Derek! Many thanks for all the ideas and insights! There was so much emotionally going on at the the beginning of the pandemic while so little was going on in the outside world, seeing a creative and motivated person diving into the clarinet was an important thing to me. I think (although you are saying more than this) you are correct that adults all approach the clarinet from a unique place where as kids often approach learning from a much more similair place to one another. Adults have more specific goals and can be best served with information and practice that will take them as directly there as possible. Glad things are going well! :)
I think it's really important to note you didn't test out the 4C. (you said this earlier, but it is the 4CM which is quite different) These come standard on Yamaha's custom professional line of horns ex: CSVR and SEVR and are made to play specifically on those. (which they work fantastic on) They retail for around $100ish and from my experience hold up to the top Vandoren Mouthpieces. The Standard 4C that would come on the student Yamaha clarinets play vastly differently and are more similar to the stock Buffet mouthpiece shown. For the money, the Fobes is 100% the best bang for the buck and will probably play better than most Vandoren counterparts. Wonderful and Informative Video, I highly enjoyed watching this! P.S. REED SIZES MATTER!!!!! (This was touched on briefly in the video) A harder reed (higher number) will ****almost**** always sound more centered and focused than a 2.5 for example. After all, it is the reed that is making the sound.
Buyers of the Fobes mouthpiece should be aware that there are counterfeit Debutes being sold by that big retailer. These mouthpieces do not have the Fobes logo on them, but are sold as the Fobes model. One of my students bought one of the counterfeits by accident, but sent it back for exchange after I wrote to Clark and he confirmed that the counterfeits were out there.
Yes. That all emerged after this video came out. I changed the link on the description from an Amazon link to one that goes to Clark Fobes website to avoid steering anybody to a fake one
Hello thank you for the video I’ve been playing clarinet for almost 3 years now and I always taught that my sound or intenation of my clarinet which is a Yamaha was because of either the mouthpiece or it was just me playing badly. Thank you very much for all of the informative and interesting video. Your videos has help me a lot to become a even better clarinet player then use to be. Once again I thank you and keep up the good work 😀
other suggestion......use legere signature series, euro cut. the combo is uber reliable. beginning students especially are done no favors using variable cane reeds.
Cool video. My cheap but decent clarinet has a Yamaha 4C which I bought as replacement for the stock mpc which had fouled up cork. Amyway, its a decent mouthpiece but I always feel like I'm trying to blow down a hose pipe. So much back pressure. And I get a very wet sound very quickly. I'm not sure if that's me, the clarinet, the mpc or that's just how clarinets are. I also have an older Noblet 2RV mouthpiece which was mailed to me from a forum member. Said to be a good mouthpiece but for me it seems very airy. I get a lot of air with the sound when using that one.
SO glad to hear you say "what matters most is that the Mouth Piece is developing good habits"! :) woot! also great to see you're using starter reeds and clarinet. Here's my question, have you tried Hite Premiere clarinet mouthpieces with your beginning students? Love to see a video putting them up against the Fobes. They are similarly priced.
I should check those out! I don’t know the Hite mouthpieces…more specifically, I don’t know THAT Hite mouthpiece. I have a Hite that I use on Bari sax that I love. It’s a little small compared to what a “real” bari player might use, but it’s just right for me. It is pretty wild playing on a 2 1/2 reed. Also very weird I called it a 2.5 - I have never done that, but all my students do and it shocked me to hear myself say it that way! Lol
@@clarinetninja I haven't had as much success with the Hite Premiere sax and bass clarinet MPs but the Bb clarinet MPs are OVERTONE machines and teach the right things! :) great chamber too :) perfect for my MS students and under $30
I purchased a Hite Premiere, with a Bd.cl D. Bonade patent pending ligature, and Legere Classic 2.5 reed . A great combination for Me. Dale Fedele recommended the mouthpiece/ligature when I asked.
@@terrydoberstein6742 @dalefedele knows what he is talking about! I just looked at the Hite Premiere - knowing the reputation of those mouthpieces and looking at the price - that looks like a great way to go!
You saw one of his professional models. Those are great. Go to clarkfobes.com and find the debut Bb clarinet mouthpiece. Don’t buy this one from amazon. There was some counterfeit ones out there a while back
Hi Kat I hate to say this….I have no real direct experience with Borbeck mouthpieces:( I pride myself in not saying things that I don’t know or are not reflected in direct experience….so I got nothin’ If I can get my hands on one I will do a deep dive and let you know what I think:)
You are the only person I have heard of learning to play on that mouthpiece. I don’t know those mouthpieces all that well, but I find it no surprise that you are not comfortable on a 4C:) thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi. Great video. I just got a vintage Buffet e11 in excellent condition gifted to me by my aunt. It had no stock mouthpiece, rather a vandoren m13, which, from what I've read, is an excellent mouthpiece, used by advanced students and pros. Vandoren recommends a minimum 3.5 reed, but I know I should start lower, and I have some vandoren 2.5s that I've begun using with this mouthpiece, and am getting some decent tones, albeit beginner-thin. My questions... first, is it a good idea to start out on this excellent mouthpiece with a lighter reed than recommended, or should I back up and get the great Clark Forbes mouthpiece you recommend. I don't want to hurt my early development as a player, if using the m13 mp will cause learning correct embouchure and getting nice tones more difficult than it would be in I went ahead and got the beginner friendly Clark Forbes. Thanks in advance for your help, and awesome videos! recommended
Ok, because I'm eager to buy something at this moment, and buy from your link, I am getting the Clark Forbes now. So my soon to be retrospective question becomes, did I do the right thing, considering the points I made in my original comment?
@@Notreallyhillbilly you move fast! You can’t go wrong either way. The reed strength suggestions are just a guide and playing a lighter reed while you learn is not a big deal and won’t hurt you in any way:)
@@clarinetninja thanks for your wisdom. I imagine I could have kept learning on the m13 with lighter reeds than recommended, but like I said, I was eager to buy some new "bling" for my horn, so I went ahead and got the Clark Fobes. Then I can just compare the two and go with which one I can play better and more easily on. This morning, I in fact tried a royal 2.0 reed on the m13 and it was easy to make a good tone. Cheers, ninja!!
I am sure you sound great! Getting the same sound to come out of the clarinet as exists in your imagination is a lifelong challenge! The Vandoren will serve you well. I use a Vandoren myself (and have used them on and off for 20 years). It will take you where you want to go with practice
I'm sitting at my desk trying 4 mouthpieces on a 1945 Boosey & Hawkes and a 56' Conn Director I got when I was 10 yrs. old using from 1# to 4# reeds of a couple types to see what works best. Mouthpieces; Selmer 5*, Bundy, Bruto Claude Lasky Concert and a Fobes Debut. Checking out bores and barrel gaps etc. Finding that some combos will stay in the upper register without the register key? Ran into this vid while reading through old BB sites on the subject. Thanks, very interesting. That Debut, had to add some paper to test it in the Conn. I'll redo the cork if I want to use it. Having replaced all of my pads, springs etc. buying some parts from England for the B.H. I'm able to do that. That B.H. was at my neighbors yard sale and recognizing a familiar case, traded him for it with a six pack of my home brew beer. It had come from Columbia S. America and the case and pads were chewed up by termites or some other denizen, so It needed a lot of work that I had to learn, not having done any since about 50 years ago prior to internet when parts and supplies were rare as 'hen's teeth' much less the knowledge to learn proper technique with springs, teeny screws, pads et al. and come of up testing methods.
@@clarinetninja Settled on the Selmer 5* C for the B.H. and it looks like one of your favs the Debut for the Conn after I re-cork it. I will be buying a Yamaha Standard Series 5C (or 4) when my 'Ship Comes In' but maybe I should just curtail some of my banjo practice and work on my embrasure? I do have 10 harmonicas on my desk and a couple guitars,trumpet etc. if I found time and zeal for and the only reason I broke the clarinets out was because of a reply to my comment on a vid, 'The Girl From Ipanema' that asked me to play it on my clarinet so...
My 9yo daughter has been playing clarinet for a couple year on a Bb plastic buffet clarinet. She uses a Vandoren B45 standard with 1.5 reeds. Ive noticed that the sound doesn’t always sound consistent. I’m thinking maybe it’s not suitable for her as the ABS OEM mouthpiece sounds marginally better. Was maybe thinking of a M15 or 5RV Lyre in lieu of B45? What do you recommend to do?
She has gotten started very young with the clarinet. That is great, but puts some unusual variables in the equation. In my experience, a 1.5 reed is going to create some unstable situations that could be causing problems. My first suggestion is a #2 reed. A 5rv lyre would also help her some. A b45 is an open mouthpiece to start out on, particularly given her age. Hope this helps a little bit
@@clarinetninja thanks brother, very much appreciated. We will try a #2 so far have been using Vandoren classic reeds. I’m tempted to try a cross section of different brands see if that can help. She started learning at school once a week. Progress wasn’t amazing with sporadic practice at home. For the past two/three weeks I’ve started a new initiative for practice 30mins per day otherwise forfeit iPad the following day! The improvement has been night and day, even the teacher at school has given her a solo part in a school event, she’s over the moon with the enhanced praise.
@@clarinetninja thanks! I've only been playing for about 8 months, so still pretty new to all the jargon. Also thanks for the video, it was very helpful. Unfortunately the Jack Forbes are difficult to find where I live, so I think I'll pick up the Yamaha.
I currently use a BD4 and I think it’s great. I have also, at times have successfully (in my mind) used B45, 5rv lyre, and my other long time standard B40. I used an M30 for a while, but it never felt right to me. I have always wished the material of the blanks was better. At the same time, that’s always the complaint about every mouthpiece. I have spent a long of time playing Fobes pro mouthpieces as well. I must have six of them. I think those are great too. Ramon Wodkowski has made some beautiful mouthpieces for me. Lots of ways to be successful playing clarinet. I tend to like the thicker rails on the vandoren. I think that’s my affinity for the B40 and BD 4 (and all of the BD line) Do you play a vandoren?
@@mndance165 Series 13 is designed for the USA market, I’m told, and takes the pitch down to A 440, theoretically, but of course there are so many other factors. If you’re playing in Europe, standard orchestral pitch seems to be A 442 and I switched from B40 Series 13 to B40 in order to take my clarinet up enough when I needed to reach this. I’d test each out against a tuner and find which suits you best. I know you asked Ninjaclarinet but I thought I’d reply in the meantime since I’ve had experience with this issue.
Hi great videos!! Help me a lot as a beginner 🎉 I like how it’s sound the Clark but I can’t find in uk and Yamaha 4c it’s 73 £ but I don’t like the sound I don’t mind about the money but I can spend more but get something close to Clark … any advice/recommendations. All the best
A 5RV lyre is a great choice, it’s more expensive but would serve you well for a long time. I recommend that as the best place to start when moving to a “professional” mouthpiece. It offers a good starting place that is also one that can be used in almost any setting. I have played one in lots of situations
@@stefanelorban7031 I am not sure what you are saying here…but make sure you buy Bb mouthpiece as the Eb (if I understand what you are saying) is for a different clarinet
Hi Jimis 3:16! I ordered a G2 reed from Amazon. It was exactly what I reviewed in the video. The box was exactly the same as well. I am totally unsure if they are both G2 or neither is G2. An employee of the company responded in the comments of the video. This is a person I know and has been amazing organizing masterclasses that have been wonderful to my students. I decided not to make another video because I am unclear about what products I have. This in and of itself is a frustration, but I don’t want to make friends into enemies by ranting on RUclips about the situation. Any way I look at it, I don’t have anything nice to say about the product. I do like many cane reeds they make and, even though my channel is small at the moment, can’t move forward putting negative content in the world. I am leaving the original video up because it is honest and (in my opinion) fair and accurate. Between you, me, and whomever reads this comment…I am not into the G2 reed either!
@@clarinetninja I understand. I also had experience with synthetic reed Legere European which was literally a waste of money. I've experienced all D'Addario reeds and If I'd get one ever again It would be the Reserve classic, It had the most responsive sound and easiest staccato. I've tried many reed brands. I own Vandoren mouthpieces but I end up playing BG B3 mouthpiece. I have two favorite reeds on It, Juno number 3 and V21 number 2.5. Juno 3,5 were heavy, so I'm going to try the number 3 with cut tip, I want to change their tip as well, I think It's rounder than I like. Marca Cordier will be on Its way soon from Amazon.
@@clarinetninja Mouthpiece Vandoren Black Diamond CM1005 cost 119€ (128$) and B45 profile 88 cost 92€ (101$) ;) I bought the B45 to test because the music shop seller has only BD5.
About the $10 "professional" mouthpiece, I couldn't help to notice that you didn't use swapped hands like in the website picture, maybe that makes it sound better (; Now, seriously, thanks for considering what a beginner has on their hands. "Generic" comparison videos usually talk little about the benefits of one over the other and people are always using professional reeds and clarinets and, even worse, playing pieces that a beginner still doesn't dream of mastering, which makes the comparison not useful for anyone. I've decided to keep my original mouthpiece until it becomes the problem. For now, I'm quite aware that I don't know what I'm doing weel enough to make an intelligent choice. Thanks for your help!
Gabriel! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I try as hard as I can to make things that are useful and it fills me with joy to hear that I have done so. Let me know if there are things you would like to see covered on the channel. I would love to know what would be of use to you
@@clarinetninja Hi, sorry for the delayed response, but it's not every day that an experienced teacher and musician give their time for a beginner to ask a question, so I was wondering how to condense my burning doubts into a single question . So there you go: I've heard a hundred people talk about embouchure and got a hundred different opinions on how to form an embouchure properly or which is better, single or double lip, but as a beginner and studying on my own, I ended up at a dead end where I don't know which what is right and what is wrong and, even more important, whether there is in fact a right and a wrong way to do it. So I would like to know the following: For a person interested in playing jazz and folk music (Brazilian choro), is there a recommended embouchure? If so, which one? And most importantly: How can I identify bad habits before they become habits? What hava I done so far? So far, I've tried both, with similar results, but I still haven't achieved an ideal tone or tongue posture for articulation with either one. ANd how about hits? I don't know if that helps or if it sounds like a joke, but I tried reversing the mouthpiece, using it upside down. Although I did not spend much time with this experiment, the vibration of the reed on my upper lip gave me new insight into how to position the lower lip when in the correct position. Finally, help! (; Once again, thank you for your kindness and attention! And sorry for the broken english (; I wish you the deepest peace of mind!
@@GabrielPerboni I appreciate the time it takes to express everything that you just did! One of the challenges in making videos is that I put something "out there" but it certainly can create just as many question as answers. At the same time, finding questions is the first step to finding answers and perhaps youtube can be a part of more informed and interesting questions. I would think that a single lip embouchure would be better for what you are doing with the clarinet. At the same time, I always check my practice with a double lip as well. This is a good way to make sure everything is set "just right" for the single lip. It's timely to get this comment right now. I am in the process of building and will be happening soon - a way to have access to me and hours of more "teachery" videos. This would allow somebody such as yourself all the things you need to get good questions and good answers. Email me at Theclarinetninja@gmail.com if you want to be on the email list so you can know all the details as they emerge.
I just bought a new Yamaha YCL 255 clarinet for my 12 yr old. But now he’s having difficult playing all the high notes.( B n C). So far He was using a used rental Clarinet from Jupiter and it was just fine. Is there a break in period for a plastic horn? Or is it the mouthpiece (4C)? I haven’t tried swapping the mouthpiece with the Jupiter one yet? Normally does a brand new clarinet needs to be set up by a tech? It’s in tune, but I could definitely feel the higher key string tension compared to Jupiter. Any tips?
The most important thing to check is using the old mouthpiece on the new clarinet. This will tell you whether the issue is the mouthpiece or the clarinet. My guess is that the mouthpiece is the thing that is causing the change in experience for your 12. year old
Fobes won’t ship internationally? I don’t know the ins and outs of the business end but I am surprised to hear that. I don’t know this existed, but it’s every bit as good as the Fobes, maybe this can be shipped internationally? www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/overture-student-clarinetmouthpiece
@@clarinetninjaI managed to get the Fobes 2nd hand but in mint condition from eBay UK, very surprised as I've never seen one in the wild here before @clarinetninja
![Hunxho - Ball Forever [Official Video]](http://i.ytimg.com/vi/nki9ZTF9Uls/mqdefault.jpg)
My daughter began with a Clark Fobes mouthpiece as a 6th grader and it made for a successful start in her playing.
Fobes, Fobes, FOBES!!!!! I order these for my band students. It's an excellent mouthpiece for clarinet and saxophone.
They should be standard for every new player regardless of age. They really set things up for success long term and short term. Clark is wonderful for giving the option to our students
Fobes all the way! I've been recommending them for ages. I don't play on the pro ones anymore, I went back to B40s, but the Debut... man. There's nothing in its class.
Great video!
The Fobes is totally great right? It is amazing that Clark has given the clarinet world such a treasure to start out everybody's journey with the clarinet.
in my experience...everything that clark fobes makes is great! The debut facing is relatively reed insensitive, the price is unbeatable, totally stable and sweet tone.
Not only that, Clark has the absolute best customer service!
Clark is a super hero walking amongst mortals. Everything he makes is beautiful. He is also incredibly kind, fair, and patient. A huge asset to our community
@@clarinetninja 100% agree!
Never played a woodwind. Now retired, 64, I’m going to give it a try. Picked up a used, mint, Buffet B12 from music store, yet to play. Wanted to make my chances of success better, so I ordered the Debut Bundle moments ago. Next reeds, and 3 books recommended as I have already subscribed to this channel. Fun, fun, fun.
Amazing! so glad to hear all of this :) What instruments have you played before?
@@clarinetninja Elementary: bugle, trumpet. High S: piano, trombone. Currently dabble with guitar, ukulele and native American Indian style flute.
Sounds like you are ready to have some fun with the clarinet!@@RonnieStone-b7q
Yes for a student mouthpiece I liked both the normal 4C and the Hite. I am not aware of the Yamaha 4CM which I expect will have improved tone.
Great channel, Jay! Thoroughly entertaining and informative. Thank you. When I started I bought a Hite Premiere as the Fobes Debut is pretty hard to get hold of in the UK. Very happy with the Hite but when I upgraded to a Noblet Artist (made in the summer of love!) the Hite was a little loose in the barrel. So I bought a VD B45 which I was very happy with. Alas, I dropped the B45 on the bathroom floor (the acoustics are nice in there) and it shattered. So it was back to the Hite. But the good news is, that in the meantime when I wasn't using it, the Hite cork must have slowly expanded back to a previous size and now it fits perfectly and doesn't wobble (unlike my air support).
Derek! I was thinking about you the other day. Your presence on Facebook and enthusiasm for the clarinet was really important to me in the early days of the pandemic. I have launched (although still on an extremely small scale) a program for adults wanting to play clarinet. I was looking carefully at what you were doing, what was challenging, and how you went about it. I took much inspiration from you. I doubt the live portion of my class would work out time wise in the UK so I won’t go into the full sales pitch:)
I wish I had a Hite to include in this video. I also wish I had a Behn overture. I think those are great as well. It is so nice to hear from you. I hope things are going great with all parts of your life.
Hi Jay
All good here, thanks. Hope you are, too.
I’m flattered you remember me and amazed that there was anything I ever played on, or wrote about, the clarinet that has proved of value to you. But it’s great if I did :-)
I guess as an adult learner that there are many things that are different compared to a young learner. And I may be slightly different to other adult learners as I’ve played the guitar to a moderate level for forty-five years and have done many hundreds of gigs, so there’s a sense of knowing what I want, and why, and some impatience to get there.
That knowledge of what the road looks like in the far distance is really the big one. Especially when it comes to genre / style. If I were eight years old and working through A Tune A Day and practising scales and playing the simple folks songs and simple classical pieces in that book, I would more than likely accept my teacher’s wisdom and advice and let things unfold naturally over many years. Eventually I would discover the music and the artists that move me, inspire me, and sign-post my future direction, and by the time I made those discoveries I would have some tone, some articulation, some chops, as it were.
As an adult though, I already know that I love Edmond Hall and Benny Goodman, Evan Christopher and Kenny Davern. I already know that I want to swing and growl and play up really high! I know I want to be able to improvise. So there’s a huge weight of impatience bearing down on me (especially as the second big thing for adult learners is that feeling that we’re too late, that time is so much tighter, that we really need to push on fast...) and playing all my scales in keys that I suspect I’m never going to use feels like time that could be far better used learning some blues or swing phrases in the keys that I’m likely to encounter them. Not saying, that’s correct - and a few years in I can’t help but suspect I’m wrong, and that doing it slow and steady would still have got me there (wherever that is) quicker. So my path, wrong that it may have been, was to play lots of longs notes, and all the major scales, but as soon as possible start playing over swing songs. I recall practising the F# major scale, and crossing the break, almost from day # 1 and working on the altissimo register even before I was halfway through A Tune A Day book #1 (and whilst still on a 2.5 reed) because I knew that when I eventually got my air support and tone and dexterity together I didn’t want to only then start on those things.
But... alas, I don’t know if that plan really worked out. I still can’t get a tone I like and I struggle to listen to the stuff I recorded then. Maybe my ears are better now, in terms of the clarinet, but I find myself more and more returning to the foundations, playing long notes, just searching for tone. So maybe slow would’ve been better?
Other things that the adult me did that an eight-year old me wouldn’t have done was to search out tunes and exercises in the jazz and blues styles. This was good, and added interest to my practice that I wouldn’t have got otherwise. But, again, what was I missing out on? There’s probably some balance to be had here. I also transcribed a lot. I do this on guitar. I suspect adult learners who don’t play another instrument wouldn’t consider this, or wouldn’t have the software to slow solos down and notate them. It was - and is - good for me. To be able to learn a few licks and play them over blues backing tracks was great fun and helped generate and maintain that enthusiasm. I guess the key here is to understand what style any given adult is aspiring to (if they have a preference) and at least bring a little of that into their early playing.
I need to shut up! This is far too long...
Keep up the good work. I really love the channel and the insight. It’s great.
Derek@@clarinetninja
@@DelOfTheShire
Derek!
Many thanks for all the ideas and insights! There was so much emotionally going on at the the beginning of the pandemic while so little was going on in the outside world, seeing a creative and motivated person diving into the clarinet was an important thing to me.
I think (although you are saying more than this) you are correct that adults all approach the clarinet from a unique place where as kids often approach learning from a much more similair place to one another. Adults have more specific goals and can be best served with information and practice that will take them as directly there as possible.
Glad things are going well! :)
I think it's really important to note you didn't test out the 4C. (you said this earlier, but it is the 4CM which is quite different) These come standard on Yamaha's custom professional line of horns ex: CSVR and SEVR and are made to play specifically on those. (which they work fantastic on) They retail for around $100ish and from my experience hold up to the top Vandoren Mouthpieces. The Standard 4C that would come on the student Yamaha clarinets play vastly differently and are more similar to the stock Buffet mouthpiece shown. For the money, the Fobes is 100% the best bang for the buck and will probably play better than most Vandoren counterparts.
Wonderful and Informative Video, I highly enjoyed watching this!
P.S. REED SIZES MATTER!!!!! (This was touched on briefly in the video) A harder reed (higher number) will ****almost**** always sound more centered and focused than a 2.5 for example. After all, it is the reed that is making the sound.
Buyers of the Fobes mouthpiece should be aware that there are counterfeit Debutes being sold by that big retailer. These mouthpieces do not have the Fobes logo on them, but are sold as the Fobes model. One of my students bought one of the counterfeits by accident, but sent it back for exchange after I wrote to Clark and he confirmed that the counterfeits were out there.
Yes. That all emerged after this video came out. I changed the link on the description from an Amazon link to one that goes to Clark Fobes website to avoid steering anybody to a fake one
I never heard of changing mouthpieces before. I've always played my Bb clarinet with the mouthpiece it came with in the late 1960s.
A lot of fun awaits if you are interested in checking stuff out!
This was extremely helpful. You made the differences between tone quality of the mouthpieces very clear.
I am honored that you watched and happy you found it useful :)
Bright is good. I like the 4C
Hello thank you for the video I’ve been playing clarinet for almost 3 years now and I always taught that my sound or intenation of my clarinet which is a Yamaha was because of either the mouthpiece or it was just me playing badly. Thank you very much for all of the informative and interesting video. Your videos has help me a lot to become a even better clarinet player then use to be. Once again I thank you and keep up the good work 😀
Thank you so much!:)
Very helpful. Thank you. I bought the Fobes.
I am glad it was useful to you :) The Fobes will serve you well!
Should include Hite Premiere in the comparison. I think they are very similar to the Fobes
I agree…but I can’t afford to buy everything:) even all things reasonably priced
I got Rae the J&D Hite Premiere and J&D Hite Ligature
other suggestion......use legere signature series, euro cut.
the combo is uber reliable. beginning students especially are done no favors using variable cane reeds.
My beginning students break too many reeds to make that financially viable. Maybe my expectations of them are too low lol
I played with a stock mouthpiece my entire high school band career… man I could’ve sounded so much better if I had just gotten a better mouthpiece lol
Cool video. My cheap but decent clarinet has a Yamaha 4C which I bought as replacement for the stock mpc which had fouled up cork. Amyway, its a decent mouthpiece but I always feel like I'm trying to blow down a hose pipe. So much back pressure. And I get a very wet sound very quickly. I'm not sure if that's me, the clarinet, the mpc or that's just how clarinets are. I also have an older Noblet 2RV mouthpiece which was mailed to me from a forum member. Said to be a good mouthpiece but for me it seems very airy. I get a lot of air with the sound when using that one.
SO glad to hear you say "what matters most is that the Mouth Piece is developing good habits"! :) woot! also great to see you're using starter reeds and clarinet. Here's my question, have you tried Hite Premiere clarinet mouthpieces with your beginning students? Love to see a video putting them up against the Fobes. They are similarly priced.
I should check those out! I don’t know the Hite mouthpieces…more specifically, I don’t know THAT Hite mouthpiece. I have a Hite that I use on Bari sax that I love. It’s a little small compared to what a “real” bari player might use, but it’s just right for me. It is pretty wild playing on a 2 1/2 reed. Also very weird I called it a 2.5 - I have never done that, but all my students do and it shocked me to hear myself say it that way! Lol
@@clarinetninja I haven't had as much success with the Hite Premiere sax and bass clarinet MPs but the Bb clarinet MPs are OVERTONE machines and teach the right things! :) great chamber too :) perfect for my MS students and under $30
I purchased a Hite Premiere, with a Bd.cl D. Bonade patent pending ligature, and Legere Classic 2.5 reed . A great combination for Me. Dale Fedele recommended the mouthpiece/ligature when I asked.
@@terrydoberstein6742 @dalefedele knows what he is talking about! I just looked at the Hite Premiere - knowing the reputation of those mouthpieces and looking at the price - that looks like a great way to go!
The clark fobes I saw online all started at about $300... what am I missing
You saw one of his professional models. Those are great. Go to clarkfobes.com and find the debut Bb clarinet mouthpiece. Don’t buy this one from amazon. There was some counterfeit ones out there a while back
I would love to hear what you think of a Borbeck mouthpiece.
Hi Kat
I hate to say this….I have no real direct experience with Borbeck mouthpieces:(
I pride myself in not saying things that I don’t know or are not reflected in direct experience….so I got nothin’
If I can get my hands on one I will do a deep dive and let you know what I think:)
If you’re a beginner I’d opt for cork grease and a bit of applied force. Sanding the cork, in the hands of a beginner, should probably be avoided.
I learned to play on a Beechler size 10. 2 1/2 reed. The only change ive made is up to a 3 reed. I cant even blow through the 4C
You are the only person I have heard of learning to play on that mouthpiece. I don’t know those mouthpieces all that well, but I find it no surprise that you are not comfortable on a 4C:) thanks for watching and commenting!
Hi. Great video. I just got a vintage Buffet e11 in excellent condition gifted to me by my aunt. It had no stock mouthpiece, rather a vandoren m13, which, from what I've read, is an excellent mouthpiece, used by advanced students and pros. Vandoren recommends a minimum 3.5 reed, but I know I should start lower, and I have some vandoren 2.5s that I've begun using with this mouthpiece, and am getting some decent tones, albeit beginner-thin. My questions... first, is it a good idea to start out on this excellent mouthpiece with a lighter reed than recommended, or should I back up and get the great Clark Forbes mouthpiece you recommend. I don't want to hurt my early development as a player, if using the m13 mp will cause learning correct embouchure and getting nice tones more difficult than it would be in I went ahead and got the beginner friendly Clark Forbes. Thanks in advance for your help, and awesome videos! recommended
Ok, because I'm eager to buy something at this moment, and buy from your link, I am getting the Clark Forbes now. So my soon to be retrospective question becomes, did I do the right thing, considering the points I made in my original comment?
@@Notreallyhillbilly you move fast! You can’t go wrong either way. The reed strength suggestions are just a guide and playing a lighter reed while you learn is not a big deal and won’t hurt you in any way:)
@@clarinetninja thanks for your wisdom. I imagine I could have kept learning on the m13 with lighter reeds than recommended, but like I said, I was eager to buy some new "bling" for my horn, so I went ahead and got the Clark Fobes. Then I can just compare the two and go with which one I can play better and more easily on. This morning, I in fact tried a royal 2.0 reed on the m13 and it was easy to make a good tone. Cheers, ninja!!
you got to review this new ligature - it's the new Dickerson Resonator Ligature - it
s a resonator & ligature combined - very uniqkue
I'm a beginner. Your sound quality is so fasinate. I just bought a Vandoren mousepiece, but there are more weird sound:(
I am sure you sound great! Getting the same sound to come out of the clarinet as exists in your imagination is a lifelong challenge! The Vandoren will serve you well. I use a Vandoren myself (and have used them on and off for 20 years). It will take you where you want to go with practice
@@clarinetninja Thanks for your instruction, it's helpful:)
does he make the debut mouthpiece for the alto clarinet??
Not to my knowledge. I would imagine the high quality options for alto clarinet mouthpieces is pretty limited
I'm sitting at my desk trying 4 mouthpieces on a 1945 Boosey & Hawkes and a 56' Conn Director I got when I was 10 yrs. old using from 1# to 4# reeds of a couple types to see what works best. Mouthpieces; Selmer 5*, Bundy, Bruto Claude Lasky Concert and a Fobes Debut. Checking out bores and barrel gaps etc. Finding that some combos will stay in the upper register without the register key? Ran into this vid while reading through old BB sites on the subject. Thanks, very interesting. That Debut, had to add some paper to test it in the Conn. I'll redo the cork if I want to use it. Having replaced all of my pads, springs etc. buying some parts from England for the B.H. I'm able to do that.
That B.H. was at my neighbors yard sale and recognizing a familiar case, traded him for it with a six pack of my home brew beer. It had come from Columbia S. America and the case and pads were chewed up by termites or some other denizen, so It needed a lot of work that I had to learn, not having done any since about 50 years ago prior to internet when parts and supplies were rare as 'hen's teeth' much less the knowledge to learn proper technique with springs, teeny screws, pads et al. and come of up testing methods.
That sounds like a good time! Let me know what you settle on:)
@@clarinetninja Settled on the Selmer 5* C for the B.H. and it looks like one of your favs the Debut for the Conn after I re-cork it. I will be buying a Yamaha Standard Series 5C (or 4) when my 'Ship Comes In' but maybe I should just curtail some of my banjo practice and work on my embrasure? I do have 10 harmonicas on my desk and a couple guitars,trumpet etc. if I found time and zeal for and the only reason I broke the clarinets out was because of a reply to my comment on a vid, 'The Girl From Ipanema' that asked me to play it on my clarinet so...
@@61mab I love your process….and ten harmonicas
Which mount pieces is best for G klarinet?
I have no experience with the G clarinet to give you any impression about that:(
My 9yo daughter has been playing clarinet for a couple year on a Bb plastic buffet clarinet. She uses a Vandoren B45 standard with 1.5 reeds. Ive noticed that the sound doesn’t always sound consistent. I’m thinking maybe it’s not suitable for her as the ABS OEM mouthpiece sounds marginally better. Was maybe thinking of a M15 or 5RV Lyre in lieu of B45? What do you recommend to do?
She has gotten started very young with the clarinet. That is great, but puts some unusual variables in the equation. In my experience, a 1.5 reed is going to create some unstable situations that could be causing problems. My first suggestion is a #2 reed. A 5rv lyre would also help her some. A b45 is an open mouthpiece to start out on, particularly given her age.
Hope this helps a little bit
@@clarinetninja thanks brother, very much appreciated. We will try a #2 so far have been using Vandoren classic reeds. I’m tempted to try a cross section of different brands see if that can help. She started learning at school once a week. Progress wasn’t amazing with sporadic practice at home. For the past two/three weeks I’ve started a new initiative for practice 30mins per day otherwise forfeit iPad the following day! The improvement has been night and day, even the teacher at school has given her a solo part in a school event, she’s over the moon with the enhanced praise.
What do you mean when you say the notes in the higher registry are "spread out"?
When I say the tone is spread, I mean that the tone doesn’t keep the same quality. In my vocabulary, spread is the opposite of focused
@@clarinetninja thanks! I've only been playing for about 8 months, so still pretty new to all the jargon. Also thanks for the video, it was very helpful. Unfortunately the Jack Forbes are difficult to find where I live, so I think I'll pick up the Yamaha.
I always recommend thd Fobes Debut to my students that can't afford a $100 + Vandoren. It can't be beat for $35.
It is a legitimately good mouthpiece for almost nothing. Every student in the world should have something that good to learn on
What are your suggestions on the vandoren mouthpieces??
I currently use a BD4 and I think it’s great. I have also, at times have successfully (in my mind) used B45, 5rv lyre, and my other long time standard B40. I used an M30 for a while, but it never felt right to me. I have always wished the material of the blanks was better. At the same time, that’s always the complaint about every mouthpiece. I have spent a long of time playing Fobes pro mouthpieces as well. I must have six of them. I think those are great too. Ramon Wodkowski has made some beautiful mouthpieces for me. Lots of ways to be successful playing clarinet.
I tend to like the thicker rails on the vandoren. I think that’s my affinity for the B40 and BD 4 (and all of the BD line)
Do you play a vandoren?
Hi C. Ninja ..wanted to order through your site but links give further choices…Series 13 or traditional? Would you have advice? Thanks…
@@mndance165 Series 13 is designed for the USA market, I’m told, and takes the pitch down to A 440, theoretically, but of course there are so many other factors. If you’re playing in Europe, standard orchestral pitch seems to be A 442 and I switched from B40 Series 13 to B40 in order to take my clarinet up enough when I needed to reach this. I’d test each out against a tuner and find which suits you best. I know you asked Ninjaclarinet but I thought I’d reply in the meantime since I’ve had experience with this issue.
Hi great videos!! Help me a lot as a beginner 🎉 I like how it’s sound the Clark but I can’t find in uk and Yamaha 4c it’s 73 £ but I don’t like the sound I don’t mind about the money but I can spend more but get something close to Clark … any advice/recommendations. All the best
A 5RV lyre is a great choice, it’s more expensive but would serve you well for a long time. I recommend that as the best place to start when moving to a “professional” mouthpiece. It offers a good starting place that is also one that can be used in almost any setting. I have played one in lots of situations
@@clarinetninja thank you so much !!
@@clarinetninja not on uk just Bb Eb 5RV lyre don’t know the difference now but I will keep learn thank you
@@stefanelorban7031 I am not sure what you are saying here…but make sure you buy Bb mouthpiece as the Eb (if I understand what you are saying) is for a different clarinet
@@clarinetninja yes you get me thanks 🤭
Do you have an opinion on wurlitzer or Schreiber mouthpieces?
Unfortunately…I have nothing for you there:(
Have you received the Venn G2 reed? What are your impressions this time?
Hi Jimis 3:16! I ordered a G2 reed from Amazon. It was exactly what I reviewed in the video. The box was exactly the same as well.
I am totally unsure if they are both G2 or neither is G2. An employee of the company responded in the comments of the video. This is a person I know and has been amazing organizing masterclasses that have been wonderful to my students. I decided not to make another video because I am unclear about what products I have. This in and of itself is a frustration, but I don’t want to make friends into enemies by ranting on RUclips about the situation.
Any way I look at it, I don’t have anything nice to say about the product. I do like many cane reeds they make and, even though my channel is small at the moment, can’t move forward putting negative content in the world. I am leaving the original video up because it is honest and (in my opinion) fair and accurate. Between you, me, and whomever reads this comment…I am not into the G2 reed either!
@@clarinetninja I understand. I also had experience with synthetic reed Legere European which was literally a waste of money. I've experienced all D'Addario reeds and If I'd get one ever again It would be the Reserve classic, It had the most responsive sound and easiest staccato. I've tried many reed brands. I own Vandoren mouthpieces but I end up playing BG B3 mouthpiece. I have two favorite reeds on It, Juno number 3 and V21 number 2.5. Juno 3,5 were heavy, so I'm going to try the number 3 with cut tip, I want to change their tip as well, I think It's rounder than I like. Marca Cordier will be on Its way soon from Amazon.
@@clarinetninja By the way, did you return the Venn reed?
In France Amazon, the Fobes Debut mouthpiece cost 120€. (129$)
That seems like a huge price difference! How much does a vandoren mouthpiece cost?
@@clarinetninja Mouthpiece Vandoren Black Diamond CM1005 cost 119€ (128$) and B45 profile 88 cost 92€ (101$) ;)
I bought the B45 to test because the music shop seller has only BD5.
@@francoisg9154 i am surprised the pricing is so different from one place to another. Enjoy the new mouthpiece:)
@@clarinetninja Thank's Jay ! ;)
About the $10 "professional" mouthpiece, I couldn't help to notice that you didn't use swapped hands like in the website picture, maybe that makes it sound better (;
Now, seriously, thanks for considering what a beginner has on their hands. "Generic" comparison videos usually talk little about the benefits of one over the other and people are always using professional reeds and clarinets and, even worse, playing pieces that a beginner still doesn't dream of mastering, which makes the comparison not useful for anyone.
I've decided to keep my original mouthpiece until it becomes the problem. For now, I'm quite aware that I don't know what I'm doing weel enough to make an intelligent choice.
Thanks for your help!
Gabriel! Thank you so much for taking the time to comment. I try as hard as I can to make things that are useful and it fills me with joy to hear that I have done so. Let me know if there are things you would like to see covered on the channel. I would love to know what would be of use to you
@@clarinetninja Hi, sorry for the delayed response, but it's not every day that an experienced teacher and musician give their time for a beginner to ask a question, so I was wondering how to condense my burning doubts into a single question . So there you go:
I've heard a hundred people talk about embouchure and got a hundred different opinions on how to form an embouchure properly or which is better, single or double lip, but as a beginner and studying on my own, I ended up at a dead end where I don't know which what is right and what is wrong and, even more important, whether there is in fact a right and a wrong way to do it.
So I would like to know the following:
For a person interested in playing jazz and folk music (Brazilian choro), is there a recommended embouchure? If so, which one? And most importantly: How can I identify bad habits before they become habits?
What hava I done so far?
So far, I've tried both, with similar results, but I still haven't achieved an ideal tone or tongue posture for articulation with either one.
ANd how about hits?
I don't know if that helps or if it sounds like a joke, but I tried reversing the mouthpiece, using it upside down. Although I did not spend much time with this experiment, the vibration of the reed on my upper lip gave me new insight into how to position the lower lip when in the correct position.
Finally, help! (;
Once again, thank you for your kindness and attention! And sorry for the broken english (;
I wish you the deepest peace of mind!
@@GabrielPerboni I appreciate the time it takes to express everything that you just did! One of the challenges in making videos is that I put something "out there" but it certainly can create just as many question as answers.
At the same time, finding questions is the first step to finding answers and perhaps youtube can be a part of more informed and interesting questions.
I would think that a single lip embouchure would be better for what you are doing with the clarinet. At the same time, I always check my practice with a double lip as well. This is a good way to make sure everything is set "just right" for the single lip.
It's timely to get this comment right now. I am in the process of building and will be happening soon - a way to have access to me and hours of more "teachery" videos. This would allow somebody such as yourself all the things you need to get good questions and good answers. Email me at Theclarinetninja@gmail.com if you want to be on the email list so you can know all the details as they emerge.
you didnt sound good on any of them
Hmm. I am not sure you were tracking the point of the video. But thanks for the support
@@clarinetninja always one in the bunch :-(
@@retiausertwo179 still better then squidward
I just bought a new Yamaha YCL 255 clarinet for my 12 yr old. But now he’s having difficult playing all the high notes.( B n C). So far He was using a used rental Clarinet from Jupiter and it was just fine. Is there a break in period for a plastic horn? Or is it the mouthpiece (4C)? I haven’t tried swapping the mouthpiece with the Jupiter one yet? Normally does a brand new clarinet needs to be set up by a tech?
It’s in tune, but I could definitely feel the higher key string tension compared to Jupiter. Any tips?
The most important thing to check is using the old mouthpiece on the new clarinet. This will tell you whether the issue is the mouthpiece or the clarinet. My guess is that the mouthpiece is the thing that is causing the change in experience for your 12. year old
Can't get either the Glory Or the fobes outside the US 🤷🙄
Fobes won’t ship internationally? I don’t know the ins and outs of the business end but I am surprised to hear that. I don’t know this existed, but it’s every bit as good as the Fobes, maybe this can be shipped internationally? www.clarinetmouthpiece.com/overture-student-clarinetmouthpiece
@@clarinetninjaI managed to get the Fobes 2nd hand but in mint condition from eBay UK, very surprised as I've never seen one in the wild here before @clarinetninja
@@RobBob555 glad you got your hands on one!