Types

• Different materials are used for making various types of clarinet mouthpieces. Ebonite, a hard rubber used on most entry-level mouthpieces, is soft and mellow in tone. Crystal, with a harsher tone than ebonite, is common for jazz players, along with those who perform outdoors and need more projection. Wood, the third type, is relatively uncommon, though it offers the warmest and most delicate tone of the three.
  
  

Parts

• The part of the mouthpiece a player blows into is called the tip, which angles upward into what is called the beak. That angle, typically up to user preference, makes a significant difference in the instrument's tone. Below the tip is the window, an empty space where the reed vibrates. The reed table, behind the window, is where the reed rests. The tenon, made of cork or balsa, is where the mouthpiece connects to the body of the instrument.
  
  

Options

• Clarinet mouthpieces offer options and specialties. A mouthpiece with a large chamber, the space within the window, sounds more full. Smaller chambers focus the sound more while restricting the upper register. Some mouthpieces include baffles, which facilitate airflow into the body of the instrument more efficiently.
  
  

Profile

• The profile of a clarinet mouthpiece is the total angle of the tip to the beak combined with the size of the chamber and window. A mouthpiece with a high profile has a larger angle, along with a wider chamber and window size. High-profile mouthpieces need softer reeds and more airflow from the player, making them difficult for some to play. Lower profile mouthpieces are easier for beginners but often inferior in sound quality.