 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: alto_and_bass_clarinetist
Date: 2005-02-19 19:33
I had heard from my band director that I could use Tenor Sax reeds on my Bass Clarinet, so I did, and I found that I like Tenor Sax reeds better than I do Bass Clarinet reeds. Now I'm moving into other types of clarinet for band, i.e.: soprano, alto, and contralto.
Do any other sax reeds work interchangably with clarinets?
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Author: Contra
Date: 2005-02-19 20:38
Indeed they do. Most alto sax reeds will work and are better than alto clarinet reeds. Bari sax reeds work for contra-alto clarinets. I don't know about soprano sax, but it's a possibility.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2005-02-19 20:40
Hi,
I use tenor reeds on bass clarinet but have to, for some MPs, cut the but end of the reed off a little bit. Alto sax reeds work fine with the alto clarinet.... I know of one other poster here that plays much bass clarinet in the DC area that has been using tenor and bass clarinets both ways for years.
A purist might disagree but at my level of playing (pretty good) I have found no problems.
HRL
Post Edited (2005-02-19 23:36)
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-02-20 00:10
Many Eb soprano clarinet mouthpieces will accept cut-off Bb clarinet reeds...GBK
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-20 00:49
once, in middle school, a band director sold me a tenor sax reed (for my soprano clarinet), and I didn't realize it, and used it for weeks! my clar. teacher had some interesting comments
-Lindsie
Post Edited (2005-02-20 00:51)
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Author: BassClarinetGirl
Date: 2005-02-20 03:08
Go ahead and use soprano sax reeds on the Eefer, I have found that they are easier to find and work very well. I don't like to cut my reeds up though, because as an amatuer high school student, I really don't know what I'm doing with reeds and don't want to ruin good ones. I use alto sax reeds, 2.5 strength on my alto clarinet. I also use my bass clarinet reeds on my tenor sax during jazz band. I have never tried any sax reeds on my Bb sopranos though, and I don't plan to.
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Author: Bnatural
Date: 2005-02-20 03:15
Using soprano sax reeds on your soprano clarinet is not for everyone, their are certain times when i love it, but it is hard to control at first
The projection is unbeatable as far as I have found, but like I said intonation is a problem somewhat
Never tried any other combos, meaning other sax to clar reeds
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Author: Contra
Date: 2005-02-20 04:09
This topic made me think of something. I've never seen alto clarinet reeds at a music store. Bass, soprano, contrabass yes, but no alto.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-02-20 04:57
I've tried soprano sax reeds on my clarinet and it was terrible. The soprano sax reeds I've tried were pretty bad so I need to try it again to really decide. Clarinet reeds worked great on soprano sax though, and if I ever decide to play soprano sax, I think I'll use clarinet reeds.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2005-02-20 17:10
We've had similar conversations on Wade Walker's c-melody saxophone forum about using tenor sax, bass clarinet, and other kinds of reeds on vintage c-melody mouthpieces....as well as how some players have experimented with baritone reeds on tenor sax, tenor reeds on alto sax, soprano sax reeds on Bb clarinet, Bb clarinet reeds on soprano, etc. We have a creative bunch over there!
Several years ago I tried soprano sax reeds on Bb clarinet after I heard about a big band doubler in NYC who uses that configuration. It sounded pretty interesting when I tried it out at home. But, when I used it at a gig the results were really bad in a larger performance space and with an ensemble. So, I quickly switched back to clarinet reeds.
I discovered that I was able to get better results with respect to getting a big sound and a good level of projection with clarinet in a big band by finding a better match between the bore size of my clarinet, mouthpiece facing, and reed cut. It took some trial & error and a good dose of intuition to piece together a set up that feels really good to me.
It's pretty much a matter of "whatever works for you" regarding different kinds of reeds and instruments.
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Author: Bob A
Date: 2005-02-20 19:13
Contra, said:
"This topic made me think of something. I've never seen alto clarinet reeds at a music store. Bass, soprano, contrabass yes, but no alto."
Try "Music Connection" in Spencer, Iowa.
Bob A
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Author: alto_and_bass_clarinetist
Date: 2005-02-21 15:47
Now that I know, what reed brands do you guys recommend?
I personally use:
Vandoren - Eb Alto Sax, Bb Clar., Bb Bass Clar., [Size 3 1/2]
Mitchell Lurie - Bb Clar., [Size 4]
Hemke - Tenor Sax, Bb Bass Clar., [Size 3]
Rico - Eb Alto Clar., Bb Bass, Eb Contralto, Bari Sax, [Size 3]
Bari Synthetic - Bb Clar./Bari Sax, [Hard] (I only use these when I don't have any REAL reeds)
I'm thinking about using Hemke sax reeds for my Bb Soprano and Eb Alto Clarinets, as I really liked the results on my Bb Bass Clar., though I've heard (from this board) that using sax reeds on clar. is... iffy-at-best. Suggestions?
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Author: graham
Date: 2005-02-21 16:05
For about a year I have been using Alexander Superial Classique Tenor reeds on my bass and found them better for most things than any of the alternative bass reeds. But my bass has a tight sound, and the Alexanders are that bit more cushy than bass reeds. Just a day or so ago I ordered Hemke grade 3, Vandoren V16 grade 3, and Marca Jazz grade 3.5, all tenor reeds and tried them last night. The Hemke and the Marca both sound very successful, and I am looking forward to trying them in orchestra. The Vandoren's were too grizzly for me, but if I get involved in a piece where power is the be all and end all, then I can use them for those. It is certainly worth bass players experimenting with the much wider range of generally available tenor sax reeds.
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Author: Lori
Date: 2005-02-21 17:04
I have a story about soprano sax/Bb clarinet reeds:
I've been noticing lately that one of my private students (excellent high school player) has been sounding pretty terrible. I couldn't figure out what was going on. I thought he was slacking off on his practicing all of the sudden, causing the drastic change in his tone. After a few lessons of this and bugging him about not being picky enough about his sound and reeds and practice habits, he mentioned to me that he thought it was Vandoren's fault! When I asked why, he told me that it was obvious that they were cutting back on costs because his reeds were *shorter* than they used to be! After laughing until my stomach hurt, he checked the box and discovered he had accidentally purchased a box of soprano sax reeds.
Don't try it. It really sounded awful!
Post Edited (2005-02-21 17:06)
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Author: donald
Date: 2005-02-21 18:29
every so often clarinet students get sold Alto Sax reeds and try to use them on B flat Clarinet- the result is not at all pretty
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2005-02-21 22:14
In terms of a reed recommendation, I use Alexander Classique reeds on all of my clarinets and saxophones.
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-22 00:57
what is the difference between sax and clar. reeds? I see people saying that sometimes a sax reed on a clar. sounds horrible...
Quote:
"every so often clarinet students get sold Alto Sax reeds and try to use them on B flat Clarinet- the result is not at all pretty"
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Author: voggorb
Date: 2007-05-30 19:16
I found an old (almost moldy) soprano sax reed in my school last week (Vandoren jazz 3.5), and I had forgotten all my reeds at home that day, so I tried playing it on my Bb clarinet. And it is probably one of the 3 best reeds I have ever played on!! I have played one concert with it, and for the moment it is the only reed I practice on, because I don't have any other good reeds in my case..just 10 really bad V12 3.5 which I can't get any one of them to play.
With the soprano sax reed, my tone is more even, there is no "hissing", and it's easy to play between the registers in all dynamics. Don't know if I'm very very lucky, but anyway I will buy some more of those reeds tomorrow and see what happens...
Post Edited (2007-05-30 19:18)
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