 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Joe
Date: 2000-02-17 18:43
Hello,
I just finished reading the topic regarding reed quality. I'm a beginning player (total of six lessons so far) and have been using Rico 2's. The Rico is the only reed that the local music store sells.
Should I look for another type of reed? Also, how do I recognize when it's time to change reeds? I usually play for about 45-60 minutes a day if that makes any difference.
Thanks,
Joe
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-02-17 21:02
Joe,
I'm going to go out on a limb here and recommend Mitchell Lurie reeds, 2 1/2s. I've a couple of beginner students who started with this reed (and are still using the same strength) and they can play on virtually every one out of the box with minimal fuss. On a 3 reed rotation they're getting over a month of use / reed.
The Mitchell Luries go "limp" (mushy) when they start to go bad.
Discount Reeds is a sponsor of Sneezy.Org and carries just about all the brands, so if you use them I'd appreciate it (and tell Ken, the proprietor, where you heard about the company). <B><A href=http://www.discountreed.com>http://www.discountreed.com</A></B>
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-02-17 21:13
I've had good experience w: M Luries, and rec. them to the local cl'ists. Whether satisfaction is derived from cane selection or in character of shaping, I like it. Don
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Author: Dee
Date: 2000-02-17 21:53
I also agree that Mitchell Lurie reeds are an excellent choice. This is what I selected to start my daughters on.
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Author: paul
Date: 2000-02-18 19:48
I too started on Mitchell Lurie 2.5 reeds as an adult novice a few years back. These are very good quality reeds, especially for beginners, young and old alike. I too found them to get mushy after a few weeks. When they are young, they are very good. Compared to other reeds, when they get "broken in", they start to get weak. And, just when other reeds begin to hit their stride, these reeds wimp out and die.
If you feel that the Mitchell Lurie reeds are not lasting long enough or don't have the staying power you want, try stepping up to the Vandoren regular cut reeds. They can be bad and they can be good, so see your instructor for how to pick out a good reed and how to get the most out of it. You might want to wait a little while before you experiment with Vandoren V-12 reeds. Their thicker cut heel does add strength and resistance to a reed, as well as (I believe) a potentially longer playing life. The down side is that you have to have the embouchure and air support strength to make the reed work well for you.
If you feel brave enough in a few more months, try one Legere reed in the same strength as an equivalent Vandoren regular cut reed. This single reed costs the price of a whole box of cane reeds, so keep that in mind. However, when you tire of working on reeds and just want to get down to some practice time, I believe that the Legere reed is very good for "bread and butter" use, especially for beginners. You can grind out scales, studies, and other similar stuff month after month with a Legere reed, stretching out the life of your better (or more fragile) natural cane reeds. It's an expensive reed rotation idea, but it does work.
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Author: Kristen
Date: 2000-02-21 00:37
Joe:
I live in a small town and the nearest music store (a town away) only sells Rico's also. I have found them to work well for both type's of clarinet I play (B flat and Bass.) I think the lower number sizes break a little too easily, but other wise are good.
Usually, you can tell when a reed is shot when A. it is cracked, a lot B.you notice notes (usually higher notes) take more air or won't play at all
or C. when you have had them a long long time.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2000-02-21 00:39
Kristen,
I'd suggest that you try ordering some better reeds if all you can get are Rico plains. You'll be amazed at how much better almost anything else sounds.
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Author: Quido
Date: 2000-02-22 04:10
I personally believe the Mitchell Lurie reeds are the best for beginners. I have found that in a box of Mitchell Lurie's, the quality is very consistent, so you really won't have to spend much time being finicky with your reeds. But for being consistent, the Mitchell Lurie's will only take you so far. You'll eventually(probably sooner than you think) need to move onto the Vandoren's, and then maybe the V-12 cut. While Vandoren does make a lot of nice reeds, they also make a lot of bad reeds. The quality is not very consistent, as with Mitchell Lurie. In a box of 10 Vandoren V-12's, I usually only find 2 or 3 reeds I would consider acceptable for a performance. But, don't my word on everything.......you have to see for yourself. When you feel ready and can, try out a bunch of different reeds. Just stay away from those traditional Rico's.
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