 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TVZ
Date: 2010-04-17 19:20
Hi. I'm perhaps what you'd call an intermediate player, or a bit less. Am basically self-taught, except that I played many years ago in middle school. Have been playing again now for about 10 years, on & off. Have an old wooden clarinet, which I had overhauled about 10 years ago. Use Mitchel Lurie Premium 2 1/2 reeds.
Some days are great; any of my decent broken-in reeds work quite well. Other days, I can't get anything to play nicely: hard to hit the notes cleanly, etc..
Is this normal? Does it depend on the weather?
Thanks for any tips you may have.
TVZ
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-04-17 19:23
Sign up for a few lessons to see if you are messing something up without realizing it. Also have someone who knows what he's doing look over your clarinet to make sure it's in proper adjustment. Welcome back!
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
Post Edited (2010-04-17 19:48)
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2010-04-17 19:39
Yeah...I second the "take a few lessons" comment.
With most teachers, as an adult returnee, you'll probably find little hassle about only taking 2 or 3 lessons, or taking them when you and the teacher have time.
One thing to consider in the interim: Matching reeds (strength/model/etc.) with mouthpiece is paramount for control and a decent sound. Try slightly stronger reeds and see what happens!
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2010-04-18 13:18
TVZ -
Day-to-day variations are normal, but you seem to be having more difficulty than usual.
If it's 10 years since anyone has checked the instrument over, it's time to have it looked at again.
Also, you may be putting the reed on the mouthpiece inconsistently, or it may have warped or gotten an outline of the mouthpiece window impressed into the bottom. Look at the bottom and run your thumb over it, looking and feeling for unevenness. If there is any impression, sand it down with 400 grit sandpaper over a flat surface such as glass.
When you put the reed on, make sure that there are no open spots, particularly at the corners. Even a slight leak spoils the response.
While you have the sandpaper out, sand the edges of the reed a bit (always pulling toward the butt), so that the reed is VERY slightly narrower than the mouthpiece -- perhaps 1/4 millimeter or the width of a thin line drawn with a sharp pencil. Then pinch the tip between your fingers and give each corner a single light swipe (from the outside toward the middle) to remove any sharp point.
Then put the reed on so that one side lines up exactly with the outer edge of one of the rails, hold it on with your thumb and give a beep on open G. Then move the reed to the other side, and then to the middle. You'll find a noticeable "sweet spot" where the sound leaps out. Hold the reed on and carefully put on the ligature, experimenting a few times to make sure you've got it right.
Then tighten up the ligature screws snug, and finally back them off 1/4 turn.
Let us know how you progress.
Ken Shaw
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Author: William
Date: 2010-04-18 16:17
One thing that will add IMMEDIANT stability to your playing is to try a new Forestone F3 strength reed. These reeds do not warp or change with the humidity and are always ready to play the same. The only remaining uncertainty would be the condition of your clarinet and if that is taken in for a "playing condition" proceedure by a good repair tech person, that should stabablize as well. Then, if things still are going "south", the problem may by YOU and that might be helped by a few private lesson sessions and some regular practice. First step, however, I wold suggest you try using a Forestone reed, strength #3 (F3) and enjoy not having to always prep your cane reed and having it deteriorate suddenly when you really need it. I'll be back, shortly, with the Forestone website.
Here it is: http://www.forestone-japan.com/eg/products.html
At first, these reeds may seem quite expensive, but--unlike the cheaper cane--one Forestone will play indefinately. I am still using two Forestone reeds that I received about a year ago. I do have them in a rotation sequence with four others, but they have not gone soft or lost their original sound. For now, to me, they seem indestructable and may last forever. Over the past year I have probably saved a $1000+ I might have otherwise spent on boxes of V12s by investing in a $100 of Forestones. [I play a lot :>] Think about it and good luck.
Post Edited (2010-04-18 16:27)
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Author: TVZ
Date: 2010-04-19 12:27
Thanks William. I've found that in the Mitchell Lurie reeds, #3 is a little hard to play on--have to strain my mouth. VanDoren #3's are even a little harder. Mitchell Lurie 2 1/2 seems to work best. In light of that, do you still recommend the #3 in the Forestone?
Thanks again
TVZ
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Author: TVZ
Date: 2010-04-19 12:29
Thanks all, for all the good tips. I'll pursue them.
-TVZ
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-04-19 13:25
Mitchell Lurie reeds tend to run softer than the average bear, so if a 2.5 ML is doing well for you, it probably makes no sense to go harder at the present. A conventional (or synthetic 3, such as a Legere or a Forestone) might be a little strong for you at present.
Jeff
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Author: William
Date: 2010-04-19 14:43
When I was playing cane, I used V12's 3.5 on my Chicago Kaspar #14 (moderately open mouthpiece). I now find that the Forestone F4 is the right strength for me--but I am definately not "on & off" player, therefore my embouchure is probably much stronger than yours. In fact, some of the problems that you described in your original posting may be due to your self-described "on & off" playing style. A more consistant, regular pattern of meaningful practice would make your playing efforts more productive and less frustrating. However, it makes no sense to play reeds that are too stiff, too soon--so, I would probably recommend you order two F2.5's, but take advantage of the "first time buyer" offer the a free third reed and choose a F3 just to see how it plays. Eventually, you will make use of all the reeds and it may just be, these three reeds will last for years and save you "big bucks" searching through boxes of cane reeds to fine a few that actually work. Again, you may want to have your clarinet checked over for leaks. It probably only needs a "playing condition" tune-up and not a much more expensive complete overhaul. Let us know how these reeds play for you if you order them. Cheers!!!
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Author: mrn
Date: 2010-04-19 15:09
Cane reeds will change from day to day, but I am finding that if I manage to get my reed well balanced right out of the box, I notice significantly less change in the way the reed performs.
I didn't come up with this idea. I learned about it from one of Tom Ridenour's YouTube videos. But I've been trying the idea out for myself over the past several weeks, and I am coming to the conclusion that Tom's principle of balancing the reed right out of the box really does have merit.
I've also been keeping the reed on the mouthpiece when I put it in the case (something I've never done in the past) with no ill effects. Once I get it wet again, it plays just fine. In fact, I've been playing on the same reed for several weeks, and it still plays great.
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