Vandoren B45 Lyre Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece

Flexible, warm, and centred tone for advancing clarinetists

The Vandoren B45 Lyre Bb Clarinet Mouthpiece is designed for clarinetists seeking a rich, warm, and centred tone with excellent flexibility. Its medium tip opening combined with the Lyre facing provides an even response across all registers, making it a popular choice for advanced students, serious hobbyists, and professional performers alike. The B45 Lyre allows precise control of dynamics, clear articulation, and a stable, consistent sound.

Buying your Vandoren B45 Lyre from us ensures you also have access to high-quality clarinet reeds, durable ligatures, and essential clarinet accessories. Our team understands the nuances of mouthpiece, reed, and ligature combinations to help you achieve optimal tone and response, whether performing in an ensemble or solo setting.

Key Features

Warm, Centred Tone

Delivers a full, rich sound that is stable across low and high registers, ideal for orchestral, band, and chamber playing.

Medium Tip Opening

The balanced tip opening provides flexibility without sacrificing control, suitable for expressive phrasing and dynamic contrast.

Lyre Facing

The unique Lyre facing allows for smooth response and precise articulation, helping players move seamlessly across registers.

Reliable Intonation

Engineered to produce stable pitch, ensuring confident performance in ensembles and solo contexts.

Versatile for Many Styles

Perfect for classical, concert band, pit orchestra, and contemporary performance styles when paired with the right Bb clarinet reeds.

High-Quality Ebonite

Made from premium ebonite for tonal consistency, durability, and warm sound characteristics trusted by professionals worldwide.

Technical Specifications

  • Instrument: Bb Clarinet
  • Tip Opening: 119.5 (1/100 mm)
  • Facing Length: Medium (Lyre)
  • Material: Ebonite (hard rubber)
  • Sound Profile: Warm, centred, flexible
  • Response: Balanced with moderate resistance
  • Recommended Reed Strength: 2.5–3.5 (varies by brand)
  • Manufactured in France
  • Compatible with standard Bb clarinet ligatures

Who Should Use the B45 Lyre?

Advancing Students: Ideal for students moving beyond basic mouthpieces, offering improved tonal balance and dynamic control.

High School & University Players: Supports expressive phrasing, smooth legato, and clear articulation for demanding repertoire.

Community & Amateur Musicians: Great for concert band, chamber, or musical theatre settings where a reliable and versatile tone is important.

Doubler Musicians: Provides adaptability for woodwind doublers, especially when paired with comfortable mouthpiece patches.

B45 Lyre vs Other Popular Mouthpieces

Compared to the Vandoren B45 standard, the B45 Lyre provides a slightly more open facing that enhances flexibility and articulation, making it ideal for players seeking a more responsive feel.

Against the Vandoren 5RV Lyre, the B45 Lyre produces a warmer and more balanced tonal centre, whereas the 5RV Lyre is slightly more focused and resistant. The B45 Lyre is often preferred for ensemble blending and dynamic versatility.

When compared with entry-level plastic or student mouthpieces, the B45 Lyre offers superior tonal depth, stability, and projection, particularly when paired with quality Vandoren reeds.

Why Buy From Us?

We store and handle all woodwind mouthpieces with care to ensure they arrive in perfect condition. Our selection of reeds, ligatures, swabs, and care products makes it easy to complete your setup. Our experienced team can provide guidance on pairing reeds and accessories to suit your playing style and level.

Complete Your Setup

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the B45 Lyre good for beginners?
It is best suited for students with some experience looking for better control, tone, and flexibility than a beginner mouthpiece.
What reed strength works best?
Most players use 2.5–3.5 depending on brand and playing style.
How does it compare to the B45 standard?
The Lyre facing provides a slightly more open feel, enhancing flexibility and articulation while maintaining warm, centred tone.
Is it suitable for orchestral playing?
Yes, its tonal stability and balanced sound make it ideal for orchestra and band ensembles.
What ligature should I use?
Fits most standard Bb clarinet ligatures including metal, fabric, and leather options.
Is it made of plastic?
No, the mouthpiece is made from high-quality ebonite (hard rubber).
Can it support soft and loud playing?
Yes, it responds well to a wide dynamic range while maintaining tonal quality.
Does it come with a cap?
Yes, most B45 Lyre mouthpieces include a protective cap; ligatures are typically sold separately.
How do I care for it?
Clean with lukewarm water and a soft cloth. Avoid heat or harsh chemicals to maintain quality.
Can it help with high notes?
Yes, the Lyre facing supports even response and clear tone across all registers.

Need Help Choosing?

Contact our team for advice on pairing this mouthpiece with the right reeds, ligatures, and accessories for your playing style and level.

SKU CM312
Barcode # 008576210335
Brand Vandoren
Unit Of Measure ea

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