 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Erika
Date: 2001-04-08 18:31
Hi. I go through reeds very quickly. I play on regular Vandoren #4 reeds. And I play on a Pyne mouthpiece, which is a very good hand made mouthpiece. The reed sounds great when I use it the first and second time, but by the third time, it's pretty much dead. I go through boxes of reeds in a span of about two weeks. Is this a normal amout of time reeds last, or am I going through them very fast? Also, if you could suggest some other reed brands besides Vandoren and Rico, I am just curious as to what else is out there.
Thanks, Erika
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Author: Gary
Date: 2001-04-08 19:03
Yes, you are going through reeds too quickly. If a reed sounds fine the first couple of days that you play it, then sounds "dead" on the third day, a few different things may be occuring:
1. You're most likely not "seasoning" the reed properly. Only play on a particular reed for about 30 seconds the first day. I do a three-octave F Major scale, then put the reed away until the next day. On the second day I play that same reed for 3 to 5 minutes, then put it away. (The second day is the soonest that you should do any adjusting of that reed.)
2. You may not be storing your reeds properly. Depending on your geographic location (and moreso on the climate) you may need to store your reeds in a humidified environment. If you play on a reed then put it away in a very dry environment, you reed will warp more often than not. I store my reeds in 3 LaVoz reed cases stored in a plastic ziploc bag with a homemade humidifier. My humidifier is an old film canister with holes drilled in it, and filled with damp sponges or paper towels. This keeps my reeds from drying out and warping as much as they would if I took no action. Keep in mind that I live in Colorado and it is VERY dry here. This may not be as necessary in Florida or other humid climates.
3. Your reeds probably need adjusting. Chances are that if a reed is dying on the third day, then it has warped. You can check for warpage against a flat, glass surface. If it is warped then you'll need to run it over a piece of sand paper a couple of strokes to flatten it out. My teacher, Bil Jackson, prefers to use a bastard file, but I still prefer sand paper. Use whichever works best for you.
Your reed may also need balancing: meaning that the two side of the reed are not even.
Sorry to be so long-winded about this. I hope some of this information helps you.
Good luck,
Gary
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2001-04-08 19:48
I won't play Mitchel Lurie Premium reeds because of the same problem. I don't have it with Vandoren V-12's.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-04-08 19:48
In addition to Gary's suggestions, *ROTATE YOUR REEDS*. Don't play the same reed two days in a row. If you practice more than once a day, use a different reed each time. I always have a minimum of 10 reeds in the rotation.
Once upon a time, I read an article in the clarinet magazine that said professional players average 100 reeds a year. Now the article made it clear that they were speaking of people who play/practice/perform roughly 8 hours per day.
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Author: LIZZIE
Date: 2001-04-08 21:28
i use the vandoren size # 4 v*12 and i go through 1 box in about 5months so yes you need to try a different reed or something cuz you are using them WAY 2 quickly!
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Author: Gary
Date: 2001-04-08 21:57
My thanks to Dee for adding the statement about rotating reeds.
Another piece of advice: always have a set of reed "in the making." By that I mean, when you've seasoned a box and are using those reeds, begin seasoning another box of reeds. My process of seasoning, preparing and adjusting, takes about a week. This is not to suggest that you should be going through a box a week. However, after a week, you can have another box of reeds in the rotation--20 instead of 10.
Good luck,
Gary
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Author: Willie
Date: 2001-04-09 05:36
You seem to going through reeds at an accellerated pace. Try numbering the reeds one through whatever then place them in a good reed holder that lets them dry flat and on both sides. Rotate their use from day to day. If I find one that excells in tone and playability, I also mark it with a star and save it for concerts.
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Author: Willie
Date: 2001-04-09 05:37
You seem to going through reeds at an accellerated pace. Try numbering the reeds one through whatever then place them in a good reed holder that lets them dry flat and on both sides. Rotate their use from day to day. If I find one that excells in tone and playability, I also mark it with a star and save it for concerts.
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Author: Mike Irish
Date: 2001-04-09 12:36
you ar using a #4? the only time I was using something that stiff was for the piece
" The Screamer " and I did clip it..... other then that I have been using #3 and #3 1/2 ......
my son was going thru a reed to two reeds aweek, found he was "blasting" them
acute asthmatic, and playing alto sax a change in his playing made it harder for him to play, but also saved reeds......
rotating them is a good idea... and storage of them on the mouth piece is a bad idea, and a reed card/storage device that holds them firm and flat is good.
Mike
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2001-04-10 00:45
A long time ago I read that if a reed goes dead and stays dead, to take a fine sewing needle (hand sewing) and poke it through perhaps a half inch from the tip. I could never decide whether this helped or not -- and in any case I usually ruin the tip before I wear out the reed. Sign me klutz. Even if it doesn't do the reed any good, maybe it will do you some good. Think of it as voodoo, or a warning to the other reeds.
Plan number two is to put those reeds right back into the box and sell them on eBay. ("Only used twice!"
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Author: jim lande
Date: 2001-04-10 00:46
One other thought
Are you really happy with your current mouthpiece and setup. Just maybe what seems like a reed problem is really a mouthpiece problem. Probably not, but worth a thought.
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