VANDOREN CLARINET MOUTHPIECES
At Vandoren, there are 2 different chinstops (traditional and Profile 88), as well as a specific line called the Series 13.
The only difference between the “Traditional” and “Profile 88” jaws is the angle of the chin strap. The musician is therefore free to choose the model that will give him the most comfort, an increased ease of emission, an easier and more precise detachment and a better comfort linked to a better position of the instrument.
For several years, the profiled chinstrap has been established both by its ideal slimness to start with the youngest, as well as by the comfort it provides for adults. Le Coin des Bois has therefore mainly chosen this one. However, it is quite possible to order the other traditional chinstrap.
OPENING OF A CLARINET MOUTHPIECE
The 13 Series was designed for pitch 440, especially for American clarinetists.
Originally, four models were developed with tables very specific to this series: the M13, M13 Lyre, M15 and M30 nozzles.
Series 13 also extends to other nozzles: 5RV, 5RVLyre, B45, B40, B40, B40 Lyre and M30 Lyre.
STRUCTURE OF A CLARINET MOUTHPIECE
The mouthpiece holds the clarinet’s reed and sends its vibrations into the instrument.
The mouthpiece is the top part of the clarinet that holds the reed and offers an opening for air to pass into the clarinet. The mouthpiece also shapes the instrument’s tone through its interior shape and, to a limited extent, from the materials used in it’s construction. The space between the reed and the mouthpiece tip where air passes through is called the tip opening, which will also vary the clarinet’s tone depending on the width of the opening.
The flat area where the reed sits on the mouthpiece is called the table. The clarinet’s ligature fastens over the table to hold the reed in place. Inside the mouthpiece is a small narrow resonating cavity where sound waves pass through from the tip opening out into the barrel and body of the clarinet to deliver sound out of the bell.
There are dozens of different makes and styles of mouthpiece for the clarinet. Most clarinet mouthpieces are made of plastic or vulcanized (“hard”) rubber, though you will also see metal, glass and wood.
NICK KÜCKMEIER
After a long experience as a clarinet teacher, Mr Nick Kückmeier founded the family company NICK in 2001, and decided to develop some innovations on clarinet mouthpieces.
The enthusiasm is such that many professional musicians turn to his know-how, and he quickly extends his production to other nationalities.
This is how he developed 3 families of beaks: Austrians, Germans and French.
In each family of mouthpieces, he created different models and a close partnership with the “Light” synthetic Canadian reeds.
It is then that 2 ranges are different:
PlayEasy (specially designed to be played with Light Reeds, but can be played with Reed Reeds) and Solist
