Klarinet Archive - Posting 000616.txt from 1997/08

From: deerich@-----.net
Subj: Re: 1 1/2 reeds for beginners?
Date: Sat, 16 Aug 1997 00:01:46 -0400

Charles wrote:
>
> What are you thoughts on starting kids on 1 1/2 reeds?
> (as opposed to hard(er) reeds)

I started my daughter (age 10) on Mitchel Lurie 2 1/2 reeds (roughly
equivalent to a Vandoren 2). We tried a softer reed but it tended to
close completely down on the mouthpiece. We tried a harder reed but it
wore her out too fast. The mouthpiece that I have for her to use is a
Vandoren B45. If your students have a mouth piece that is more open or
more closed than that, some other reed strength would be more suitable.

In general though, a 1 1/2 reed is too soft for the average beginning
child (say 5th grader).