 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sambo 933
Date: 2009-11-27 20:50
Hi
A few months ago I got a Vandoren M15 mouthpiece, and have been very happy with it.
I've been using vandoren traditional strength 4 reeds and until now have had good results with those also.
But all the reeds I buy now just really suck. Most of them produce a very stuffy and airy tone and half of them are too soft! I have tried adjusting them with sand paper with little success. The ones that do work well usually seem to be the ones that are too soft, and the ones that are'nt soft get softer after only a few days of using them. I rotate them so as to try to make them last longer but this seems to have no effect on how fast they wear out. I just don't understand how my tone can be so great and then without changing anything I can barely get a good tone.
I have a very important audition and a concert coming up, and I would appreciate and helpful suggestions.
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Author: Joarkh
Date: 2009-11-27 20:57
Trying different brands, types and strengths of reeds could help. I've played Vandoren V12 #3,5 on my M30 mouthpiece for quite a while now with success, but a little while ago I started feeling that the reeds were too soft and didn't vibrate, that they lasted shorter and were "less vibrant". Here the other day, I found a new box of Vandoren traditional #4s in my room (lucky me), and everything fell into place as I started using them - fuller tone, reeds lasted longer and it was easier to play evenly and different dynamics.
What I have learned, is this: Even though you don't change your set up, what type of reeds works for you might change and it is good to try other types of reeds now and then in order to know what works best for you at a given time.
What you are describing sounds to me like symptoms of too soft reeds, but I'll leave it to more experienced players to say something certain concerning that matter.
Joar
Clarinet and saxophone teacher, clarinet freelancer
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-11-27 23:07
How has the humidity level been ? That has an great affect. I mean I always have a bad reed day when the temperature gose below 0°C(frozt) for the first in the autumn and I have to heating up the ovens in my room.
And btw I did try 5 V-12s two weeks ago after over 3 years of not playing them and never in the flow pack and I must say that I was shocked by the quality and the consistency is great. They have hardly changed a bit over those 2 weeks and they all play fairly evenly although one is a little bit softer than the other but that's not much problem for me.
All I can say is that comparing them to 5 Rico Reserve I have to say that Vandoren is much more consistent.
1 day the Rico were all too soft. Next day 3 of them were very fluffy. Day 3 and 4 were the same then on day 5 two of the most fluffy ones were dying on me but week later they were both fluffy like crazy again. The Vandoren have been almost the same all the 2 weeks apart from getting a little softer after being broken-in like most reeds do.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-11-27 23:09
And btw all the 10 reeds were kept in the same reed case inside a frezzer bag and treated the same way.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-11-27 23:32
There once was a fellow from Philly
Whose reeds always drove him quite silly
Now he doth live in da 'Burgh
and hold the Steelers so dear.
Oh, and his reeds ne'r do err.
See, he just switched to Legere.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-11-28 00:05
Legere might be fine for marching outside specially on a hot day but for professional playing it lack all the depth and overtones I want to hear.It also took me only one round of listening to the legato and staccato test page on their site to tell which one was Legere.
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Author: Alseg
Date: 2009-11-28 00:53
IC....
Try the new Signature line of Legere. You might not be so rigid.
Of course, the fact that my post is in limerick-like fashion might suggest some degree of testimonial latitude.
Former creator of CUSTOM CLARINET TUNING BARRELS by DR. ALLAN SEGAL
-Where the Sound Matters Most(tm)-
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-11-28 01:54
Sambo, what you have to remember, Ice too, is that reeds are a natural product and their relative quality depends a great deal on nature. If you know anything about fine wine, I say this because it's the same with reeds, one year a good type and brand of wine sells for $100 a bottle and the next year it sells for $15 a bottle. Too much rain, not enough rain, to much sun, not enough sun. The quality of the cane, as the grape, is determined by nature not my man. The companies can cut them correctly , can process them correctly , store and age the cane correctly but if the quality doesn't begin high it's just not good. That's why one batch of reeds is good and six months later you can't find a reed. The companies like Rico grow their cane in several different places so they have a better chance of getting quality cane more often but it's still up to good old mother nature. Unfortunately when the cane sucks they still charge the same price for reeds.
I think since you've changed mouthpieces recently you may be going though some changes you're not aware of so it may take some time to adjust to finding the right reed. It is a good idea to try different brands and cuts though as suggested. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Ed
Date: 2009-11-28 02:20
Make sure that you are allowing sufficient time to have a slow break in. After playing I also like to rub the reed down. I would not make any adjustments too soon.
If all else fails, I would try some different styles or even different brands. (Rico Grand Concert, Reserve Classic are two that I have played with good success)
Re- Legere, I had never liked them. Today I tried the Signature. After a little playing to get the reed settled in, I practiced for a while using it. I was pleased with the feel and sound. I could imagine using them for practicing, and possibly eventually for performances as well. I like these far better than any of the previous models. They feel a bit different than cane, but certainly seem to have positive qualities. I will have to see how I adjust to them and how they hold up.
Post Edited (2009-11-30 15:40)
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Author: William
Date: 2009-11-28 15:56
No problems, whatsoever, since I started using Forestones. For me, cane is ancient history.
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-11-28 16:07
> testimonial latitude
...dictionaried.
I seem to remember that I have different "killer combinations" of mouthpieces and reeds during the four seasons. As others have stated, cane is a natural product (so are we, btw) and doesn't always adhere to our rigid standards.
Just as we choose our clothes by whim and weather, we might ponder about doing the same with our instrument setups. Besides, grabbing a different 'piece and a different reed is often faster than raising one's blood pressure over a balky reed.
--
Ben
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Author: Maestro_6
Date: 2009-11-30 14:00
As for Vandoren, I've found the 56 Rue Lepic reeds to be surprisingly consistent in comparison to the other two cuts. With a smidgen of adjustment, they just sing. I stored 8 which were unsatisfactory from 2 boxes I've had, and now 2 are performance-ready and 4 more great for practice! They have a very deep tone as well!
Also, the Vandoren Reed Resurfacer used lightly is very effective.
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