Walter Grabner's ClarinetXpress - C Clarinet Mouthpiece

Walter Grabner

991 Wildwood Lane

Highland Park, IL 60035

847.266.8644

C Clarinet Mouthpieces

For several years now, clarinetists from all over the U.S. have sent me their C clarinets. The problem is always similar:

“I love my C clarinet, but I can’t play it in tune.”

It’s true that sometimes, acoustical work needs to be done, or a barrel replaced. But frequently, the problem lies in the mouthpiece. While I encourage clarinetists to try to use their regular Bb/A mouthpiece on the C, frankly, some of the deep chambered mouthpieces that we love on the Bb and A cause unavoidable problems on the C clarinet, especially in the throat tone range. Often, I have been able to “cure” or mitigate these problems by selecting one of my CXZ_AW_PERS mouthpieces. The shape of the windway and the depth of the chamber really help stabilize the tuning on many C clarinets.

Order mouthpiece - CXZ_AW_PERS

If you have a Noblet C clarinet, the throat tones are normally FLAT - order a CXZ_K2e

Price - $195, plus shipping and IL state tax (If a resident of IL)

Want to try them?

First review the Trial Rules:

1. The trials period ends on Invoice “Due Date” (Set to three weeks after Invoice date).

2. You may trial as many mouthpieces as you want (within reason) but they must be paid for up front.

3. Returned mouthpieces must be postmarked by the “Due Date” indicated on the invoice.

4. There is a $5 charge for each returned mouthpiece for sterilization and re-stocking.

5. There is a $5 charge for each returned mouthpiece postmarked after the “Due Date”.

6. Returned mouthpieces postmarked 14 or more days after “Due Date” are considered purchased and will be returned to purchaser.

7. There is a $2 charge for ruined or marked up packaging materials.

8. Mouthpieces returned with deep tooth or ligature scratches will be considered purchased and returned.

9. International Orders have the “Due Date” extended and additional 7 days to allow for delays in Customs.

Second, send payment:

Buy Now Buttons and Shopping Cart capability is now available.

1. Major credit cards and PAYPAL are accepted.

2. Both Shipping (domestic and Int’l) and State sales tax are calculated

3. Click here to purchase.

OR:

To pay by check, send the appropriate amount, as above, plus $6 for shipping in the U.S. (USPS Priority Mail) or $11 for international shipping. Illinois residents must add 7½% for Illinois State Sales Tax ($14.63). Make your check or money order payable to “Walter Grabner”.

OR:

To pay using a credit card, you may call me direct at 847-266-8644.

From a post I made to the woodwind.org clarinet list , on 6/04/07:

As far as I can determine, all C clarinets currently in production have a bore size that accepts, or shall I say requires, a normal Bb/A clarinet mouthpiece. In terms of bore size. I do know at one time, some C clarinets were made with a smaller bore, in a scaled down manner as one would expect when viewing the difference between an Eb clarinet and a Bb clarinet. I believe Kohlert made such a clarinet in the previous century.

One might argue that the compromises inherent in a design that allows the same mouthpiece to be used on the Bb, A, and C clarinets will have too many problems on any of the instruments. However, that seems to be the decision made, in aggregate, by the various manufacturers.

One of the big problems with C clarinets is the relative instability of the throat tones. There is no uniformity here between brands. Many C clarinets seem to have throat tones that want to go very sharp. Pulling out can "fix" these notes but make other areas uncomfortably flat.

Various mouthpiece combinations can help, but the solution is going to be brand specific. There can be no one "C clarinet mouthpiece" that solves all the problems across all brands/models.

Some of the top level professionals who use C clarinets recommend using the same mouthpiece as the Bb and A. Fast switches are easier, you do not have to contend with a dry reed at a crucial moment, and you do not have to have separate reeds.

However, if the C clarinet you buy cannot be played in tune with your Bb/A mouthpiece, other solutions might be necessary.

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