Mouthpieces
by SEGGELKE clarinets

Every detail counts, especially when it comes to the mouthpiece. That’s why we now manufacture mouthpieces in our own workshop with the utmost precision and care, perfectly tailored to our clarinets and the individual needs of our musicians. From the first draft to the final polish, every piece is made by master clarinet makers in our Bamberg workshop. For sound, response and playing feel at the highest level.

Starting with a BANG

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French facing models B and A

Mouthpieces for French clarinets

German facing models N and G

Mouthpieces for German clarinets

Why develop Seggelke clarinets
mouthpieces?

Your sound. Your clarinet.
Your mouthpiece.

For over 30 years, we have been making clarinets that impress with their excellent sound quality and unique playability. They offer an easy response and fine register colors – whether in the orchestra, ensemble or as a soloist. Our experience in rebuilding historical mouthpieces, adapting and optimizing modern mouthpieces has already resulted in a number of mouthpieces for secondary instruments such as the E flat clarinet and basset horn in recent years. We now want to extend the expertise we have gained to the entire musical spectrum of the clarinet family. Made of food-safe rubber, precisely CNC-milled and fine-tuned by hand, our mouthpieces combine the highest manufacturing quality with outstanding sound characteristics. The natural cork ensures optimum air tightness, while future models made of grenadilla wood will open up even warmer timbres. The result: an individually tuned mouthpiece that perfectly suits your clarinet and your musical goals.

Jochen Seggelke about
the mouthpieces

Jochen Seggelke in Nahaufnahme

For over 30 years I have been reworking mouthpieces for German and French clarinets, e.g. by Zinner or Vandoren, in order to adapt them better to modern playing habits and to compensate for intonation problems. One aspect that is often neglected in mouthpiece designing is the bore.

It took me some time to realize what influence the bore of the mouthpiece has on the clarinet as a whole. You can technically divide a mouthpiece into two parts that have different functions: The shank and bore must fit the clarinet. The length, opening and shape must suit the individual embouchure of the player.

Our bore fits (almost) all clarinets: All mouthpieces that I have reworked over the past decades have been stamped with an “N”. This refers to the bore that I developed in 1998: The combination of a not-too-large cylindrical end with a parabolic beginning – instead of a straight metric cone, which is never ideal for a clarinet.

Components of a
mouthpiece

The facing

The facing determines which reed fits onto the mouthpiece.
In our workshop we build four variants for B clarinets: two facing models for French reeds (B or A) and two facing models for German reeds (N or G).

The body

We produce two body variants in our workshop. The French model (L) is ideal for use with ligatures. The slightly thinner German version (S) is produced the classic way with grooves and an edge to secure the cord in place.

The tenon

The tenon or shank is the direct connection to the barrel. We manufacture tenons in two dimensions:

  • German: Diameter Ø 23 mm / length 18 mm (D)
  • French: Diameter Ø 22.5 mm / length 17.2 mm (F)

Technical terms
simply explained

The facing is the slightly curved surface at the top of the mouthpiece on which the clarinet reed rests. It is decisive in determining which type of reed fits and how the instrument responds. The shape of the facing has an effect on the blowing resistance and the sound character: a flatter facing often feels more direct, while a more curved facing offers more flexibility in shaping the tone.

The tip opening is the distance between the tip of the mouthpiece and the reed.

  • Small opening: lighter blowing resistance, often played with harder reeds → controlled, clear sound.
  • Large opening: more air flow, often played with softer reeds → more flexible, fuller sound.
    The right opening depends on your personal playing style, choice of reeds and the desired tone colors.

The length of the facing is the distance measured from the tip of the mouthpiece to the point where the reed is in full contact with the table. A longer facing often allows for finer nuances in the sound, but also requires well-trained breath control. A shorter facing reacts faster and more directly and is often suitable for players who prefer a quick response.

The body is the main part of the mouthpiece, situated between the tip of the mouthpiece and the shank. Its outer shape (German or French) and the inner chamber influence the tone color and feel. German bodies are usually somewhat narrower and have grooves for the reed cord, while French bodies are wider and often intended for reed ligatures.

The tenon is the lower end of the mouthpiece, which is inserted into the barrel of the clarinet. It is covered with natural cork to ensure a long-lasting tight fit and optimum vibration transmission. There are two standard sizes:

  • German tenon: approx. 23 mm diameter / 18 mm length
  • French tenon: approx. 22.5 mm diameter / 17.2 mm length
    A well-greased cork facilitates mounting and dismounting and prevents damage to the instrument.

The chamber is the area inside the mouthpiece where the facing begins. It connects the bore of the mouthpiece with the slightly curved contact surface for the reed. Its shape influences how easily the instrument responds and how the airflow develops. A precise chamber ensures that air and vibrations enter the instrument optimally, resulting in a clear, controlled sound.

The reed string is a traditional method of attaching the clarinet reed to the mouthpiece. Commonly used with German mouthpieces in particular, a thin string is wrapped tightly around the reed and the grooves of the mouthpiece. It holds the reed securely in place and transmits the vibrations very directly, which often results in a particularly clear and delicate tone.

The cut refers to the shape of the clarinet reed:

  • German cut: somewhat narrower and shorter in shape (profile), often played with a smaller tip-opening, traditionally widespread in German-speaking countries.
  • French cut: wider reed with longer vamp (or profile). More frequently used internationally.
    The cut determines which reed shape fits the mouthpiece and vice versa.

The reed strength describes how hard or soft a clarinet reed is. It is usually given in numbers (e.g. 2.5 – 3 – 3.5).

  • Soft reeds: respond more easily, give a soft sound, but can sound unstable at high volumes.
  • Hard reeds: offer more resistance, stable sound and greater dynamic range, but require more power and control.

About Our Mouthpieces

You can try out the mouthpieces in our workshop in Bamberg by appointment.
We also present the mouthpieces at music fairs, e.g. in Stuttgart, Amsterdam, Nuremberg, etc. Feel free to visit us there!
In addition, you can ask our international partners which mouthpiece versions they already have in stock.
You are also welcome to purchase several mouthpieces from our online store and try them out.
In accordance with the right of withdrawal, you may return mouthpieces within 14 days without providing a reason. Please refer to our Terms and Conditions for information on the conditions and possible fees.

Made from food-safe rubber, precisely CNC-milled, and finely tuned by hand, our mouthpieces combine the highest manufacturing quality with outstanding sound characteristics. This ensures that the same manufacturing parameters apply to every mouthpiece for maximum comparability.

The N and G facings are for German cut reeds. Currently (as of 2025), these facings are only available on mouthpieces with a German tenon (D). Versions with a French tenon (F) are already in the planning stage. Starting in 2026, we will be continuously expanding our portfolio. Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about new products.

The B and A facing are for French cut reeds. Currently (as of 2025), these facings are only available on mouthpieces with French tenon (F). Versions with German tenon (D) are already in the planning stage. Starting in 2026, we will be continuously expanding our portfolio. Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter to stay informed about new products.

Currently (as of 2025) we only produce mouthpieces for Bb clarinet. Mouthpieces for E flat clarinet, basset horn and bass clarinet are already being planned. We will steadily expand our portfolio from 2026. Follow us on Instagram or subscribe to our newsletter to be informed about new products.

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