Klarinet Archive - Posting 001281.txt from 1998/01

From: Dee Hays <deerich@-----.net>
Subj: Re: reeds
Date: Wed, 28 Jan 1998 14:27:21 -0500

SJayne3137@-----.com wrote:

> Does reed size determine the abilities of the player? i mean, does the harder
> the redd mean the better the player? Just wondering.

NO ! Harder does not automatically mean better. There are several factors that
affect reed choice.

1. Type of music the player is interested in.
2. What matches his / her mouthpiece the best.
3. The players embouchure and embouchure development.
4. Cultural preference (Europeans seem to prefer slightly softer than US)
5. Ego (this country has a bad "my reed is harder than your reed" syndrome)

Reeds that are too soft eventually lead to pinching as the students learn to play
in the higher registers and/or flat upper registers. Reeds that are too hard can
result in an airy, breathy low register and can lead to excessive sharpness or
erratic intonation in the registers.

However what is too soft or too hard will depend on the player, the music, brand
of reed, the mouthpiece, the ligature, and the clarinet.

For example, I find that a Vandoren 3.5 on a Vandoren B45 mouthpiece permits me
to play the full range of the clarinet with good intonation, control, and sound
quality. Other people have other setups that work well for them.

Dee Hays
deerich@-----.net
Canton, SD