Clarinet Mouthpiece article
Clarinet Mouthpiece Explained: Features, Types and Tips
A clarinet mouthpiece determines how the instrument responds and what kind of tone it produces. Here is everything you need to know about how they work.
A clarinet mouthpiece is the component through which the player blows air to set the reed in vibration, producing sound. Its dimensions — particularly the tip opening and the facing curve — determine how the instrument responds, how much effort is required and what kind of tone is produced. Choosing the right one is among the most significant equipment decisions a clarinettist makes.
Anatomy of a Clarinet Mouthpiece
The main features are the table, the lay (or facing), the tip opening, the baffle, the chamber and the bore. The table is the flat surface on which the reed sits. The lay is the curved section between the table and the tip, and its shape controls how the reed vibrates. The tip opening — the gap between the tip of the mouthpiece and the tip of the reed — is the most commonly cited specification. A narrower tip opening requires firmer reeds and produces a controlled, focused tone; a wider tip opening allows more flexibility and volume. The chamber and bore affect resonance and tonal colour.
Materials
Most classical clarinet mouthpieces are made from hard rubber (also called ebonite), which is durable, tonally neutral and widely available at all price points. Crystal (glass) mouthpieces produce a brighter, more projecting sound and are used by some players for specific repertoire. Metal mouthpieces — common in saxophone but less so in classical clarinet — are occasionally used in jazz contexts. A plastic clarinet mouthpiece comes with most student instruments; it is functional but limited and is typically the first thing a player upgrades. See our buyer's guide for recommendations at each level.
Facing and Tip Opening Numbers
Every clarinet mouthpiece has a facing designation. Vandoren, the most widely used brand, uses a numbering and letter system — the B40 is the most popular classical choice, with a medium-closed tip opening. Numbers like M30, M15 and BD5 each refer to specific tip openings and facing curves. The facing length also matters: a longer facing gives more flexibility; a shorter facing gives more control. For beginners, a medium-close facing like the B40 paired with a medium reed (strength 2.5 or 3) is the standard starting point. For a full guide to buying decisions, see our beginner's guide.
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