 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: potatohead
Date: 2004-03-14 23:11
I searched for this in the archives but I didn't quite find what I was looking for. I am going to order some Rico Plasticovers for marching band, but I'm not sure which size to buy. Right now I play on VD Trad. #3. Also, what color are they? I was looking at the Rico Intl. page for the plasticovers and it showed them as black! Is this really what it looks like?
-MG
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: davor
Date: 2004-03-14 23:22
They are black indeed! You should look at the reed comparison chart to decide the appropriate strength. I think you need a 3.5 Plasticover to =VD traditional no. 3
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: diz
Date: 2004-03-15 02:43
I used "normal" reeds when I marched (years before Christ's time even). Wouldn't use a plastic reed (unless in a bagpipe).
my two cents worth
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-15 07:12
Normal reeds worked fine for me too in marching bands. Or you may want to look at something a little better (in my opinion) than the plasticcovers like a legere, or fibracell or something just a little higher quality. What a plasticcover is, is just a reed that's been COATED with black plastic. So it has a normal cane butt end, and a black plastic coated tip.
I didn't like the sound I got from them. For me it was very hard to control any dynamics (forte being the most predominant) and it didn't sound so pretty either.
Although if your big problem is that you aren't being heard, then I think plastic covers can help you since they tend to be VERY loud.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Contra
Date: 2004-03-15 08:06
Plasticovers won't always make you loud. The bass clarinet player that sits besides me uses them and I have to stop playing and lean down to hear her. And everyone ALWAYS notices when I stop playing.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2004-03-15 13:27
Quote:
Plasticovers won't always make you loud. The bass clarinet player that sits besides me uses them and I have to stop playing and lean down to hear her. And everyone ALWAYS notices when I stop playing. Does she use the same mouthpiece, ligature, size reed, and is her instrument in as good regulation as yours? Are you sure she's just not timid by nature as far as playing goes and is using proper air support? Perhaps it's one of these factors. All I know is that when I play a regular reed, and switch to a plasticover, I'm louder. Same with my uncle, and a few people I remember back in high school. So I still think it makes you louder than usual.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2004-03-15 14:08
Theoretically, I guess, a plastic coating(thermoplastic) would tend to dampen reed vibration thus giving lower volume??
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: D Dow
Date: 2004-03-15 14:39
I banned Plasticover reeds from my clarinet studio and all of my students are better for it!
With Platicover reeds the only purpose is to make clarinet players sound as bad as possible..
David Dow
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: contragirl
Date: 2004-03-15 16:09
heh, I used plasticovers on my alto clarinet when I marched it in high school my freshman year. The whole point of "plasticover" is that it is a regular cane reed dipped in a black rubbery plastic. It looks pretty cool in black, I think.
My problem was that after a while the "plastic" would start chipping off. I would have black speckles on my lip. lol
Personally, I think a legere would work much better for you. I use one on my alto clarinet (in symphonic wind ensemble), and you wouldn't notice it wasn't cane. Weather won't effect it like cane and plasticover, lasts longer than plasticover, it's easier to control, and I think it also helps with being a little louder. And it won't leave plastic on your lips!!
Weiner music has them for $10. For legere's, you may want to get one that is about half a size lighter than what you usually use. So if you use a 3, get a 2.5 (or maybe 2.34, if they have them).
--Contragirl, who sounds like a salesperson. haha!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarinetwife
Date: 2004-03-15 19:52
contragirl wrote:
>
> My problem was that after a while the "plastic" would start
> chipping off. I would have black speckles on my lip. lol
EEW!, as my boys would say ![[whoa]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie10.gif)
I think BobD is probably right--the coating does seem to mess up the vibration of the cane significantly. I'm with D Dow.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: potatohead
Date: 2004-03-15 22:20
Thanks for all input. I do not like marching with cane reeds, personally. They dry up really quickly for me, so I'm just looking for something that'll retain moisture.
-MG
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
