 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Filipe T.
Date: 2001-10-05 19:13
I started out playing the sax, now I play the clarinet. When I played the sax, finding a good reed was really easy, every time I took out a reed from the box it sounded great( Vandoren is the only reed I've ever used), but I can't remember the last time I got a goor reed for my clarinet(Buffet E11). Also, I always hear clarinetists complaining about their reeds, but I almost never heard a saxist complain about his reed, how come???!! Are clarinets pickier about reeds????? ( I think it's because I play witha closed tip, crystal mouthpiece for my clarinet)
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Author: Peter
Date: 2001-10-05 20:57
I don't rightfully know. I too, play both and the sax vs. clarinet reed thing you mention has also been true for me.
I find the alto sax extremely easy to play, there is practically no lip pressure on the reed whatsoever and nothing to the rest of it. Almost anyplace you put your lips on the mouthpiece, you can get an acceptable sound.
With the tenor sax you have to be somewhat more accurate, but the difference is almost nil. The lip pressure on the reed thing pretty much still applies, except you have to pay a little more attention to embochure and air column.
The soprano sax is a different bird altogether. Reputedly it is the most difficult to play. That has been so for me. Here lip pressure on the reed, although not as drastic as the clarinet, must be accurate; good embouchure is a must and differs from the lower to the higher register; the lower notes are difficult to hit accurately, to the point that, to my knowledge, those who know the instrument and write for it make it a practice of staying away from the lower notes. Of course, the low notes' difficulty is greatly alleviated by playing the best horn you can get your hands on.
There may be someone more knowledgeable than I am, on this subject (or many others as well) who could give you a better answer, but I think the clarinet is more difficult to play, that it requires more finesse in handling, more delicacy in its art.
It is an instrument that to play it reasonably well, you have to have pay more attention, have more dedication, instruction, and a since it is so finicky in its nature, it refuses to digest just any reeds and/or mouthpiece you throw at it.
(Although the sax with either the wrong or a "bad" mouthpiece can also be terrible to play.)
The materials and accessories used to play the clarinet need to be of a higher quality and built to much better and closer tolerances, otherwise it won't work for you.
Perhaps it is a matter of cause and effect. Either clarinet players are so finicky because the instrument forces them to be that way, or they become clarinet players because they can identify well with the instrument!
I really like my saxophones, I have a stand with three saxophones, two soprano clarinets, an alto clarinet (just added,) a standard flute, and a pentatonic flute on it, ready to play, all the time.
But without meaning any disrespect either to the instrument or anyone who plays it, I can tell you that I play the saxes when I feel loud and obtrussive, the clarinets when I feel quiet and peaceful, and the flutes when I feel tranquil and meditative.
And I think that's the end of that tune.
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2001-10-05 21:04
Gee, I know lots of sax players who complain constantly about their reeds......One thing I've discovered over the years is that, regardless of the instrument, having an excellent mouthpiece solves most of the 'reed problems'.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-10-05 21:14
Personally, I am as "picky" about my sax reeds as I am with the clarinets "agony slivers." Bottom line is, to get a decent sound on any reed instrument, you need a good reed, and this is just as critical with the saxophones as with their little cousins. And, I've been through more mouthpieces, looking for that "right" sound for the saxes that I play, than for my clarinets--and I consider myself to be a clarinetist who plays sax!! Good Doubling!!!!!!!
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Author: Robert Gifford
Date: 2001-10-05 21:20
I'm a clar/sax as well as oboe tripler.... I complain all the time about my sax reeds, its just I've found that the bigger the reed, the less it matters about the quality of it, because there is more of the reed that vibrates to spread the inconsistancies around. On the opposite end, good manufactuered oboe reeds are hard to find. Not only are they small, but there are two of them. Every little inconsistancy is able to be heard. Most people probobly won't agree with me all all of this, but thats just what I've found.
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Author: jeff
Date: 2001-10-05 23:50
Hello
I too have found that is much easier to find good sax reeds than clarinet reeds. I use a Rousseau NC4 with Glotin 3 reeds on my alto and apart from a bit of balancing they are excellent right out of the box. Clarinet however is a totally different story. It was mentioned earlier and it is absolutely right that the facing on the mouthpiece must be perfect that is of tremendous importance.
jeff
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Author: Jessica
Date: 2001-10-06 18:24
I played saxophone very briefly (when I still had woes about jazz band, before my school started their Dixieland group), and though I can't say I was less picky about sax reeds, I did find that it was possible to play sax with a very awful reed, but I just couldn't handle it on clarinet.
Gee, I guess that didn't really answer your question.
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Author: Alyson
Date: 2001-10-07 11:58
How many clarinet players does it take to change a light bulb?
Only one, but you can bet she will go through the whole box to find " just the right one"
I know this doesn't help but it is a bit of a laugh don't you think?
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Author: David dow Sympony NB
Date: 2002-04-26 16:22
I play sax as well yet find that the clarinet reeds I use not a problem, it may be related more to your embouchure rather than the reed..also mathch the reed to the clarinet before playing the saxophone and then come back to the clarinet, then if you have problems playing on the clarinet then you know its the embouchure.
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