Clarinet Mouthpiece guide
How to Set Up and Use Clarinet Mouthpiece
Setting up a clarinet mouthpiece correctly affects both tone quality and playability. Here are the practical steps for fitting the reed, ligature and barrel.
Setting up a clarinet mouthpiece correctly — fitting the reed, adjusting the ligature and maintaining the assembly — affects both tone quality and playability. This guide covers the practical steps.
Fitting the Reed
The reed must sit flush against the table (the flat surface of the clarinet mouthpiece) with the tip aligned precisely with the mouthpiece tip. The common practice is to align the reed so that a thin sliver of mouthpiece tip is visible above the reed tip — this is called the "reed placement." Slide the reed upward until it sits just at or fractionally below the mouthpiece tip. The sides of the reed should be centred symmetrically on the mouthpiece. Do not press the reed down when securing the ligature — hold it in place gently. Soak the reed in water for 30 seconds before playing; dry reeds crack and produce a harsh sound.
Fitting the Ligature
The ligature — the clamp that holds the reed to the clarinet mouthpiece — should sit in the correct position on the flat part of the reed, below the curved section. It should be tight enough to hold the reed securely without moving, but not so tight that it compresses the reed. Over-tightening restricts the reed's vibration and produces a choked, thin tone. Under-tightening causes the reed to shift during playing. Metal ligatures are tightened with a small screw; fabric ligatures typically wrap and secure with a button or hook. Check that the ligature does not touch the vibrating tip section of the reed.
Inserting the Mouthpiece onto the Barrel
The clarinet mouthpiece attaches to the barrel of the instrument via the cork. The cork should be greased lightly with cork grease before assembling — this prevents the cork drying and cracking and makes assembly easier. Twist the mouthpiece onto the barrel with a gentle rotating motion rather than pushing straight on. Do not force it. The mouthpiece position on the barrel affects intonation: pulling the mouthpiece slightly out flattens the overall pitch; pushing it in sharpens it. Use a tuner to set the correct position for your instrument. For an overview of what to look for when buying, see our buyer's guide.
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