 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2013-11-14 00:51
How will I know that's I'm using the perfect reed strength for me?
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Author: gemini-clarinet
Date: 2013-11-14 01:59
Basically, when you can hit all the notes cleanly with a good tone without blowing your brains out.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-11-14 02:02
There is no "perfect reed strength for you" which will make it hard to find.
First, there's no such thing as "perfect." You will always be able to find *something* wrong with any reed you find.
Second, a reed must be the right strength for you to play *on your mouthpiece* and *for the music you're playing.* There is a range of stiffness among the reeds in any box of any brand and model, some stiffer ("stronger") than others. So the best you can do is find the brand/strength combination that gives you the most reeds per box that you can play comfortably in the music you're involved with. That could very well be different for playing a section part in a concert band/wind ensemble, principal parts in a symphony orchestra, or lead clarinet in a big band reed section. To say nothing of perhaps needing a different reed for maximal comfort in Beethoven's 6th Symphony than in Strauss's Ein Heldenleben. The reed that produces your best playing in the context of the day (or hour) is the best (never perfect) reed for you in that context.
Having complicated things that much, the simple answer to how you know if you're playing the *right* strength reed for you on your mouthpiece is when the reed doesn't close with normal pressure but doesn't take an uncomfortable amount of effort to produce a sound and allows you to produce the musical effects you want (basically, what .gemini said).
Karl
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Author: Wes
Date: 2013-11-14 02:40
It should be soft enough that the low register speaks cleanly. I want reeds hard enough to allow playing the altissimo register to a double high C.
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Author: clarinetsaxplayer719
Date: 2013-11-16 12:40
The reed should be good enough so you can get all the notes in a good tone. I personally play on Vandoren Traditional 3.5 in strength It all really depends on how long you've been playing too.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-11-16 13:07
clarinetsaxplayer719 wrote:
> It all really depends on how long you've been playing
> too.
Only in the sense that more experience improves your judgment about which reeds are good and which aren't. Experience and reed strength do not correlate without adding the rest of the system (mouthpiece, instrument and performance context) into the equation.
Karl
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Author: TAS
Date: 2013-11-16 18:58
The perfect reed: When I can feel the resonance of the reed in my finger tips when playing, everything else equal (resistance and quality of sound in all ranges).
TAS
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2013-11-16 21:15
Reeds might become a little more resistant on Day 2 and beyond. So finding the perfect reed strength on day 1 might mean you have to find another reed the next day or adjust the original.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2013-11-16 21:23
When you can do everything you are capable without straining and getting a good tone and good intonation. All registers, good articulation, good flexibility and decent comfort. Experiment with a few different ones until you find the best for you. Of course it helps if you're playing properly.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: discerningclarinetist
Date: 2013-11-21 15:22
It depends a lot on your mouthpiece's tip opening and facing. This chart (http://www.vandoren.com/en/fprod/Becs%20de%20clarinette%20Sib%20en.pdf) gives you recommended reed strengths for varying facings and openings. I think it also shows that classical musicians usually drift between #3-#4.5 reeds.
Tyler Zey
www.discerningclarinetist.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-11-21 15:26
Take that chart as a rough guide - it doesn't mean you HAVE TO use the reed strengths specified or have to work up to those strengths.
Reed strength is a very personal thing (as is the facing of your mouthpiece and choice of clarinet), so don't be swayed by what others use or what some charts recommend - use what works best for yourself.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2013-11-21 16:31
I agree with what Ed p says. To expand a little - When you can do everything that you are capable of with ease and a clear resonant tone. You are not forcing, biting, etc. The reed has enough resistance to keep the tone supported at louder volumes, yet soft enough to articulate and speak delicately.
I have found that while the right strength is important, learning to balance and adjust reeds can work wonders in getting them perfect.
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