 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: michael
Date: 1999-11-27 23:36
Reeds. I don't remember having reed problems when I was a kid the first time around with the clarinet. I think I just picked out a reed, put it on and played. Now, with all the reed discussions going on here on the internet, I have had nothing but trouble. I started off with my trumpet playing son's Rico #2's. I quickly switched to a Vandoran #3--may as well have switched to a pine tree. I read the discussions here and tried the Mitchell Lurie Premium #2, but the high notes sounded like I was sitting on a hissing leaky tire. I then bought, by accident mind you, a box of regular Mitchell Lurie #2's. After swatting myself upside the head, I headed back tho the store ( in disguise by this time) and purchased Vandoran 2 1/2, because of course I needed a stronger reed to hit the high notes. Pine tree.
My lip is really weaker at 40 than it was at 15. It was at this time that Hiroshi posted the site for reed strenghts. I studied the chart and saw that Vandoran 2 1/2 is a big jump from Mitchell Lurie 2. I have no shame by this time, I don't care what the store clerk thinks. I now have a box of chirpy Vandoran #2's. I give up. It must be me.
I write all this because I just looked in the music room and I have reeds all over the place. Maybe I WILL just cut my own off the pine tree.
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Author: Sir Green Knight
Date: 1999-11-28 02:50
Just to let you know, reeds aren't usully made of pine... if they were i've play something like the trombone, pine... ick... then i'd think that the reed would stick to the mouthpiece from the sap wouldn't it?
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Author: Rick2
Date: 1999-11-28 04:47
AS an adult student, I've had good success with Rico Royal 2-1/2, though I have recently been looking for a bit more longevity. I tried recently 7/10 of a box of LaVaz medium reeds and like them. I've also been recommended Grand Concert reeds. As for the emboucher, it does get better. These are muscles that you are working out and the more you play, the stronger they'll get, and the endourance will improve as well.
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Author: Willie
Date: 1999-11-28 05:40
True, your embrechure isn't like it was tears ago, but it will come up quicker than you think. I was away from my clarinet for over 20 years during my military career and it all came back very quickly except for my fingers that have been terribly abused over the years plus the aging process. As for the reeds, it may be that your mouthpiece/ligature combo plays better with different reeds. Ihave to buy different strength reeds for my clarinets as they all have different mouthpiece/lig combos plus the clarinets themselves are different.
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Author: Tracey
Date: 1999-11-28 05:56
It might just be the quality of the reed, some people get handpicked reeds(albeit expensive ones). Have you ever heard of a reed brush? Near Interlochen, they have bunches of them growing around, but you can buy them at most music stores. You could then soften like some Vandoren 2 1/2's. Although, when you play high(er) notes, even in altissimo, your embrochure should be the same, as well as the pressure. Good luck on finding a new reed! Have you tried Rico Royal 4's yet?
~Tracey
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Author: M. Brand
Date: 1999-11-28 07:17
Michael,
You sound alot like me. Two years ago I was also 40 and had not played since I was 16. It took me a good solid 3 to 6 months to get back to my teenage form. Here is what I learned in the last two years, practicing about 1 hour each night.
1. Have fun! The clarinet is a great instrument and is the perfect way to unwind from work. Don't take it too seriously...yet!
2. Be patient, it will take some time to come back, but improvement should come rapidly, and be noticiable with steady practice. As an adult player, I have found that I am more aware of the music and can interpret music better. As a kid, I just wanted to play fast. As an adult, I have discovered that dynamics and articulation really mean something.
3. Find a good teacher to get you started. Ask the high school band teacher or perhaps a community college professor for a recommendation. A good teacher should be able to get you through your current mouthpiece/reed problems.
4. Start with some easy music that "you" enjoy. Don't immediately go back to your old music books and expect to begin where you left off. Find some fun stuff. There are many good music arrangements that come with a background CD, where you play the solo part. Check out the www.musicminusone.com web site or look for some of the Hal-Leonard publications in the music stores or on the web.
5. Make sure your equipment is Ok. When I began playing again I discovered that my old mouthpiece was junk. You should also make sure your clarinet is up to snuff. Gunk in the tone holes or worn pads can produce fuzzy/hissing sounds. If you are certain you have good equipment, then the Michell Lurie reeds should be fine. They are a good "all-around" reed...they warm up quickly, usually don't require any "fixing" out of the box, have good response, and hold their own in the upper registers. Yes, there are better reeds, but the Luries are easy to play well. This is where a teacher can come in handy.
6. When you get to feel more confident, join a community band or something similar. You will meet more clarinet players and they can be of great assistance.
7. When all else fails, remember #1.
I hope this helps. Starting up the clarinet again was one of the best things I did. Good luck to you.
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Author: William Fuller
Date: 1999-11-28 17:13
We all know how frustrating the reed search can be, but it will become easier as you recondition and strenghten your embrochure. I agree with all of the above advice and would like to recommend for you to try Marca "trads" (#3 should work if your mp is medium open). Marcas seem to be more consistant than others I have tryed and might make your "search" a little easier. Welcome back to the world of clarinet and enjoy!!!!!!
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Author: HIROSHI
Date: 1999-11-29 00:09
I agree to Michael that in good old days almost all reeds played anyway just off the box.
I play clarinet when I feel like playing. Since I play flute and saxophones too. So my clarinet embouchure muscle may be as dull as dullness can be.
I just thought Marca traditional is a thick heel reed good for long facing and small tip mouthpiece. Its shape is just like Vandoren V12.
I tried Marca traditional 3 and also tried Marca Superior 2-1/2 and found Superior 2-1/2 sounds better with my dull embouchure.
(Marca is a little harder than Vandoren.)
I think you should buy a Lavoz reed saver. Wash reeds with flowing warm water to let them wet and wash out surface fiber, them wipe them out, and insert them into this reed saver. Wait about 40 minutes. This straightens them up. FYI.
If you use Vandoren, their left side is thicker than the right. I remember somebody posted in this BBS that scraping very lightly the left side let Vandorens work better.
p.s.Maybe your reed Kingdom become more over-populated.
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Author: Dave Blumberg
Date: 1999-11-29 03:20
Try Grand Concert #2, and 2 1/2 Thick Blank. I promise that one of those reeds will work great for you, or you send me the reed, and I'll eat it They are very, very consistant - unlike the Vandoren trees.
Muncy Winds at 800-333-6415 has them (at those strengths I think they do)
Really though, I'm a Concert Artist for the reed, and play it cause I like it. I like the sound, I like the feel.
David Blumberg
reedman@erols.com
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Author: michael
Date: 1999-11-29 12:09
Thanks for all the input about my reed problems from everyone.
David, I think I have seen Grand Concert reeds at the
store that I go to. I will give them a try.
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Author: paul
Date: 1999-11-29 17:47
For what it's worth, I have boxes of Vandoren V-12 reeds in 2.5, 3.0, and 3.5 strength. Typically, these reeds need very little work to function correctly and they wear a long time. Keep in mind that I'm an adult novice who gets at most an hour a night for a practice session, so if you need to play on the reed for a lot longer and with a lot more stress, consider what the pros like in their postings above.
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Author: Dave Blumberg
Date: 1999-11-29 19:09
V-12's were certainly a jump in the right direction. The consistency is high, but to me the sound is thin. The Grand Concert's have the tone I look for. So do the Vandoren regular's (though not as well), but they are so inconsistent, that I don't even give them a thought anymore.
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 1999-11-29 21:24
Personally, I like the Rico Royals the best. I know Rico is evil but they _are_ very constant.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 1999-11-29 22:44
Kontragirl wrote:
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Personally, I like the Rico Royals the best. I know Rico is evil but they _are_ very constant.
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Eh? Only the "plain" Ricos are worthy of scorn! The rest of the line (Rico Royal, Michell Laurie, Grand Concerts, etc.) are all pretty good!
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Author: Dee
Date: 1999-11-29 23:43
Kontragirl wrote:
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Personally, I like the Rico Royals the best. I know Rico is evil but they _are_ very constant.
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No only plain Ricos are evil. All their other lines are fine.
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Author: Kontragirl
Date: 1999-11-30 01:54
Mark Charette wrote:
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Eh? Only the "plain" Ricos are worthy of scorn! The rest of the line (Rico Royal, Michell Laurie, Grand Concerts, etc.) are all pretty good!
Well, then I'm not totally sinful, I am just now switching over to Rico Royal on the low horns too...If I can afford it....
Kontragirl
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