- Top 5: 1- Vandoren Black Diamond BD5, 2- Selmer Focus, 3- Vandoren M30, 4- Vandoren 5RV Lyre, 5- Yamaha 4C
- The Bb clarinet mouthpiece directly influences your tone, playing comfort, and ease of sound production.
- Tip opening and table length are the two key parameters to compare before buying.
- An ebonite mouthpiece offers a warmer, rounder sound than a resin one, but resin remains ideal for beginners.
After several years of advising clarinet players, I’ve seen many musicians literally transform their sound just by changing their mouthpiece. It’s the most intimate part of your setup: the piece that touches your lips, captures your breath, and decides the color of every note.
Whether you’re looking for more roundness for the wind orchestra, more projection for the concerto, or simply better playing comfort, this comparison helps you find the Bb clarinet mouthpiece that suits you. We’ve selected five models covering all profiles, from beginner to professional clarinetist.
Comparison of the Best Bb Clarinet Mouthpieces
The Vandoren Black Diamond BD5 is a true masterpiece. With its unique interior and exterior design, it offers exceptional sound depth. The tone is round, compact, and full, even in the high register — where many mouthpieces struggle to stay consistent.
Made of ebonite (a blend of natural rubber, sulfur, and linseed oil), it benefits from careful polishing on over 90% of its surface. Its 1.13 mm tip opening with a medium table makes it accessible yet demanding. This is the mouthpiece that convinced many clarinetists to leave their M30 or 5RV Lyre.
Ideal for classical, wind orchestra, and chamber music. It pairs perfectly with Traditional or V21 reeds in strengths 3 to 3.5.
Highlights
- Round and full tone across all registers
- Remarkable ease of sound production
- Innovative design, premium ebonite
- Compatible with Trad, V12, V21, and 56 rue Lepic reeds
Drawback
- Requires an adaptation period for those used to other series
Good to Know
The tip opening of a clarinet mouthpiece corresponds to the space between the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. The larger it is, the more powerful and flexible the sound, but the greater the muscular effort required. For an intermediate clarinetist, an opening between 1.05 and 1.15 mm offers a good balance.
The Selmer Focus was born from collaboration between Selmer engineers and the greatest clarinet experts. Its goal: to offer a perfect balance between timbre and roundness, with ease of play that captivates from the first notes.
With a 1.05 mm tip opening and a 23 mm table, the Focus offers a relatively closed mouthpiece. The result: a centered, timbred, and very stable sound. Its trapezoidal chamber (the internal shape of the mouthpiece) helps channel airflow for precise and consistent response.
Manufactured using Selmer's digital machining centers in Mantes-la-Ville, ensuring exceptional precision and production consistency. This mouthpiece suits both orchestra and chamber music.
Highlights
- Remarkable timbre/roundness balance
- Trapezoidal chamber for a centered sound
- Selmer Paris manufacturing precision
- Comes with a mouthpiece patch
Drawback
- Closed tip opening: less dynamic flexibility for very expressive playing Flexibility serving musicality
The Vandoren M30 is a timeless classic in the Vandoren catalog. Its long table gives it remarkable flexibility, with a sound well balanced between timbre and roundness. It’s a forgiving mouthpiece that supports the musician through all dynamics.
With a 1.15 mm tip opening, it’s slightly more open than the BD5. It offers more dynamic possibilities and a wider palette of tonal colors. Clarinetists who like to vary atmospheres — from soft pianissimo to projected forte — especially appreciate this model.
Available in three ligatures (Traditional, Profile 88, and Series 13), the M30 adapts to all morphologies. It’s ideally played with reeds strength 3 to 4 (Traditional or V12).
Highlights
- Long table = great flexibility
- Balanced and colorful sound
- Available in 3 ligatures
- Perfect for varied repertoire
Drawback
- Requires reeds strength 3 to 4, not suitable for beginners
Tip
To compare two Bb clarinet mouthpieces, always use the same reed and play the same passage across several registers. Differences in color and response often appear in pianissimos and high notes, not in forte.
The 5RV Lyre is probably the most recommended Bb clarinet mouthpiece by teachers in French conservatories. And for good reason: with its 1.09 mm tip opening and medium table, it offers precise articulation and easy sound production, even in the high register.
Compared to the classic 5RV, the Lyre version offers a wider ligature angle and a slightly longer table. This small addition brings more ease and a slightly rounder sound.
Made of Vandoren ebonite, it guarantees impeccable manufacturing consistency. It’s the ideal Bb clarinet mouthpiece for an intermediate to advanced clarinetist seeking a clean, centered sound without surprises.
Highlights
- Conservatory reference
- Precise articulation
- Easy sound production in the high register
- Quality Vandoren ebonite
Drawback
- Modest tip opening (1.09 mm): less projection in large ensembles
Pro Tips
The table length directly influences mouthpiece flexibility. A long table (like the M30) favors nuances and roundness. A short to medium table (like the 5RV Lyre) prioritizes articulation precision and control. Choose according to your repertoire.
The Yamaha 4C is the ideal gateway into the world of Bb clarinet. Made of high-quality phenolic resin, it adopts the design of Yamaha's high-end Custom series but in a more accessible and easier-to-play format.
With a 1.05 mm tip opening and a 19 mm table, it requires little muscular effort. Beginners quickly produce a balanced sound across all octaves without struggling to reach high notes. Exactly what you need when starting out.
Slightly shorter than the Custom models, the 4C forgives embouchure inaccuracies. Its value for money is simply unbeatable for a first replacement mouthpiece.
Highlights
- Excellent value for money
- Balanced sound across all octaves
- Very easy to play for beginners
- Design based on the Yamaha Custom series
Drawback
- Made of resin: less rich sound than an ebonite mouthpiece
Woodbrass Advice
If you hesitate between two mouthpieces, first consider your level and repertoire. In music school or wind orchestra, the 5RV Lyre or Yamaha 4C are safe bets. For a clarinetist preparing for a competition or regularly playing solo, the Black Diamond BD5 or M30 will make a real difference. And remember: the mouthpiece is chosen with your ears, not just the specs.
FAQ — Choosing the Right Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece
What is the difference between an ebonite and a resin mouthpiece?
Ebonite is a blend of natural rubber, sulfur, and linseed oil. It produces a warmer, rounder sound richer in harmonics. Resin (or plastic) is more affordable and more shock-resistant but offers a slightly brighter and less nuanced sound. Resin is perfect for beginners. For progress, ebonite makes a real difference.
How to choose the tip opening of your clarinet mouthpiece?
The tip opening determines the space between the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece. A closed opening (1.00 to 1.09 mm) facilitates playing and requires less breath. A medium to wide opening (1.10 to 1.20 mm) offers more projection and dynamics but demands more muscular control. Choose based on your level and usual reed strength.
What reed strength should I use with a new mouthpiece?
Each mouthpiece is optimized for a range of reed strengths. Generally, a more open mouthpiece is played with softer reeds (strength 2.5 to 3), while a closed mouthpiece works better with harder reeds (strength 3 to 4). Always refer to the manufacturer’s recommendations on the product sheet.
Should a beginner invest in a high-end mouthpiece?
Not necessarily. A mouthpiece like the Yamaha 4C offers an excellent starting point. However, after one or two years of practice, changing mouthpieces can unlock your progress. Moving to an ebonite mouthpiece like the 5RV Lyre or BD5 will improve your sound quality and comfort.
What is a Profile 88 ligature?
The Profile 88 ligature is a variant offered by Vandoren. It is thinner than the Traditional ligature, which changes the contact angle with the lower lip. Some clarinetists find this shape more comfortable and natural. The sound remains identical; only the embouchure comfort changes.
How to Choose Your Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece?
Choosing a Bb clarinet mouthpiece is based on three main criteria: tip opening, table length, and material. The opening determines power and required effort. The table influences flexibility and articulation type. The material — ebonite or resin — determines warmth and tonal richness.
Also consider your playing context. In a wind orchestra, a centered and stable mouthpiece like the Selmer Focus or 5RV Lyre will save you many tuning issues. In solo or chamber music, a more open mouthpiece like the M30 or BD5 will give you the color palette you need to express yourself.
Which Mouthpiece for Which Level?
If you’re a beginner, the Yamaha 4C is the simplest and most effective choice. It forgives embouchure mistakes and produces a pleasant sound without excessive effort. After a few years of practice, switching to a Vandoren ebonite mouthpiece (5RV Lyre, M30, or BD5) transforms your playing. You gain projection, nuance, and comfort.
For advanced clarinetists seeking a reference mouthpiece, the Vandoren Black Diamond BD5 stands out as the premium choice. Its ability to produce a round and full sound across all registers makes it a formidable concert ally. Discover our full selection of Bb clarinet mouthpieces to find the one that suits you.
Our Final Opinion
The Bb clarinet mouthpiece is the cornerstone of your sound. It’s the most worthwhile investment you can make for your clarinet, long before changing the barrel or bell. In this top 5, each model has its personality: the BD5 for premium roundness, the Selmer Focus for centeredness, the M30 for flexibility, the 5RV Lyre for precision, and the Yamaha 4C for a great start. Take time to try them, compare with your own reeds, and trust your ears. That’s how you find THE mouthpiece.
