Klarinet Archive - Posting 000223.txt from 2000/12

From: Donna Higgins <Donna@-----.com>
Subj: [kl] Reed questions
Date: Mon, 4 Dec 2000 19:18:34 -0500

I know the numbers on reeds indicate their strength, but what does that
really mean? What's the criteria for labeling a reed as "3-1/2" instead
of "3", or "4" instead of "3-1/2"? Do the criteria vary among different
brands?

I'm asking because my clarinet teacher wants me to start using 4's
instead of my current 3-1/2 reeds. So last weekend I went out and bought
a box each of Rico Grand Concert, Vandoren V-12 and Mitchell Lurie, all
4 strength. The Mitchell Lurie reeds play nicely right out of the box,
while the others feel and sound like plywood (I tried the entire box of
Luries and several from each of the other two boxes, so I don't think
it's just a case of one or two oddball reeds).

I'm thinking maybe I need a 4-1/2 or 5 if I'm going to use Mitchell
Lurie. The 4 sounds nice out of the box, but seems to get soft pretty
quickly.

Just out of curiosity, what is the highest reed strength available?

--
Donna M. Higgins

"The thing that impresses me most about America is the way parents obey
their children." - The Duke of Windsor (1894-1972)

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