Accessory Guide
Clarinet accessories are very popular and relatively easy to obtain through online orders, educational events, and conference exhibit halls. While many performers will keep their instrument setups very traditional, others like to try out various equipment which ultimately lets them customize their instruments.
So, what do you look for in accessories? Much like trying a clarinet, testing accessories requires the performer to have a clear mental idea of their preferred sound. Other elements, such as intonation and response, will also be essential to consider. Remember that our equipment choices are just as personal as our tastes in sound and style - what works for one performer may not work as well for you!
Clark Fobes
Clark Fobes has had an active playing career in the San Francisco area in addition to clarinet repair. Due to the success and demand of his equipment, he closed the repair part of his business in 2000 to focus on the production of mouthpieces, barrels, and other clarinet accessories.
Barrel
- Lengths available: 41 - 43.5 mm
- Made from african blackwood
- No tenon rings
- Inverted cone bore
Extension
- Made from blackwood or red rubber
- Improves intonation between registers and response/sound of long tube notes
*Fun Fact: The Fobes extension was the first extension on the market for E-flat clarinet. After encountering a set of Boehm clarinets with a range to low E-flat and a tone hole cutout for the B in the staff, Clark Fobes made some sketches of an extension that could produce a similar result on other clarinets. Ten years later, a friend approached him with an issue on his C clarinet, and resulting in the first Fobes extension. The concept was then applied to the E-flat clarinet, with great success. You can find out more on Clarineat's interview with Clark Fobes.
Mouthpieces
10K Mouthpiece
- Pitched at A440
- Made from rod rubber
- Facing length: 15mm
- Opening: .96
Brad Behn
Brad Behn has played in several symphonies, and has experience in college level teaching. He has been dedicated to mouthpiece work since 1992, and has since expanded Behn, LCC to include other clarinet accessories.
*Fun Fact: These products are made from Behn Rod Rubber, of which there are currently two varieties. One of the varieties was reverse-engineered to match the rubber of Chedeville mouthpieces. You can read more about the manufacturing process here. As seen in the picture, the joints of Behn products use O-Rings rather than traditional cork. Behn talks about the benefits of the O-Rings and how to care for them on a series of blog videos on his website.
EVO E-flat clarinet accessories
Barrel
- Lengths available: 41-45mm
- Cutout to accommodate B-flat reeds
Extension
- extension can help with tone and fluidity when crossing the break
Bell
- Tapered bore helps with response
- Light material
Mouthpieces
SONO
- Available in medium or custom facings
EPIC - HVC
- Designed by recreating the rubber of 1920s Chedeville mouthpieces
- Small chamber
- Available in medium or custom facing
Backun
Morrie Backun's company started with repairs and some custom barrels, and has since grown to include numerous accessories and several models of soprano clarinets. The company now boosts a large artist roster of professional performers and pedagogues.
Barrel
- Sized for standard or Selmer clarinets
- Lengths available: 40.5mm-43mm
- Made from grenadilla, cocobolo, or tulipwood
- Cutout allows for use of B-flat clarinet reed
*Fun Fact: Clarinetist Jessica Phillips (second/e-flat clarinet with the Metropolitan Opera) assisted in the design of the barrel, including the cutout to allow for B-flat clarinet reeds.
Bell
- Comes in standard fit, or sized for Selmer
- Made from grenadilla or cocobolo
- Improvement of registers/intonation
- Backun voicing groove- meant to improve middle register and transition over the break
Mouthpiece
CG Crystal Mouthpiece
- Made by Pomarico (Italy) with metal tenon cap
- Available with either matte or polished table
16.5mm length
- Opening- .19 tip (note on website mentions that the crystal material makes the tip opening feel smaller)
Paulus and Schuler
Matthias Schuler and Henry Paulus are long-time members of the Beethoven Orchester Bonn, an ensemble that is based in Bonn, Germany (the birthplace of Beethoven). The Zoom Barrel is a result of their knowledge of intonation challenges inherent to the clarinet. Numerous clarinetists from prestigious orchestras around the world now use these barrels.
Zoom Barrel - E-flat Clarinet
This adjustable barrel allows you to change the length without causing a gap in the bore of the instrument. Of the adjustable barrels available today, the z-barrel is the most popular with professionals. However, they can be difficult to find (even the B-flat and A models are out of stock at most retailers).
There are rumors of additional E-flat clarinet products coming soon from other craftsman such as Wesley Rice and Brian Corbin - hopefully we'll see some additional great new accessory options in the next few years!
Is there a different accessory that you use that we didn't mention? Share with other readers!