 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: iichan
Date: 2004-09-10 00:33
I played E flat clarinet in High school and I'm thinking about starting again. I found a affordable E flat to purchase and now I'm trying to remember about reeds. It has been way over 15 years since I last played clarinet and I don't remember what number reed I was using or why I was using that number. Could someone enlighten me about reeds and recomend what number I should use to start? I would also appreciate it someone could educate me in the difference in the number reeds. (I think I was using no. 4 but like I said it has been waaaaay over 15 years!!!)
Thank you!!
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2004-09-10 00:37
Psychic man says get #2 1/2 to start and move up to #3.
It's as good a guess as any....
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Author: BobD
Date: 2004-09-10 12:15
Yes, the larger the number the stiffer the reed...but....hope you don't have a cat these days...
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Author: William
Date: 2004-09-10 14:58
Obviously, you have never tried to tune an effer to a cat. Or, perhaps, any other carbon based organizm that possess the ability to hear.
In any case--and in your's, the effer--I would recommend (via cyberguess) that you start with a VanDoran V12 #3.00 Bb reed. Cut about a half an inch off the butt end with a wire crimper so that it will fit your shorter Eb mouthpiece. Many serious Eb clarinetists (not an oxymoran) use Bb reeds because they are more readily available and they tend to produce a more pleasing sound than the smaller Eb reeds. However, if you wish stick with the traditional effer reeds--and that *trad* effer sound--you may wish to start with a #3.0 Eb strength reed as well. With both the Bb or Eb reeds, if the higher register does not speak easily or if the tip is too soft and closes too easily with normal bite, then move up in strength to a #3.5 or #4.0. As an example, I play on a Selmer HS** Eb mouthpiece and use Bb V12 #3.5 reeds. Works for me, and doesn't overly irratate too many fellow musicians--or even my dog (who could probably sleep through a train wreck and can't even howl in tune with the neighbors).
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