 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Julie
Date: 2005-02-28 16:51
are there reeds made specifically for sudents and reeds made for pros? I hear that ricos and michele luries are geared toward beginners, whereas vandorens and etc. are used more by expeinced players. and that they dont tend to use ricos.
Post Edited (2005-03-05 19:39)
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-02-28 17:26
it varies by how the companies market their products
for example, rico markets different reeds for students and advanced players
usually, the cheaper reeds are for students; the expensive ones for advanced players
vandoren doesn't really have a specific student/beginner line, more of a broad high-end kind of appeal. when I started clarinet, I started with vandoren, but reeds seemed less expensive back then (and the dollar was more almighty)
that being said, I'm sure there are experienced, even professional, clarinetists who play reeds that are marketed for beginners
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Author: Kel
Date: 2005-02-28 17:41
Rather than pro versus beginner, I think it's more an issue of whether the player enjoys gambling. People who don't mind paying good money for a reed that may or may not work tend to buy Vandoren. Those who want better odds tend to buy Gonzalez.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-02-28 19:24
Isn't it ironic that we see clarinetists avoiding the entry level Rico clarinet reeds, yet professional saxophonists find both the Rico orange box and Rico Royal to be quite sufficient ....GBK
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Author: Kel
Date: 2005-02-28 21:20
Not to mention Rico's LaVoz reeds, which are in wide use by older sax players, including me.
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-02-28 22:21
anyone know what the pros, like Neidich (though I hear his reed practices are questionable...), Meyer, Nuccio, Drucker, etc. use?
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Author: BassClarinetGirl
Date: 2005-02-28 22:31
I think that what makes a difference in the reed definiately is the players preference. Some brands are fine to start off on, but when a player learns to recognize what they need in a reed, then they can decide what would make a "pro-quality" or concert quality reed for them. I personally don't like LaVoz, which I played for 5+ years until I realized there were bigger and better things, especially the bass clarinet reeds. They are too streaky- the few good ones last forever, but I was getting a bad reed every other reed. The Bb clainet reeds weren't too bad, but they still had plenty of bad ones. I chose to switch to Gonzalez- not only for the better quality, but for a wide range of strengths. I play a 3 bass clarinet and a 3.25-3.5 Bb. LaVoz didn't offer me enough sizes- for example, on bass clarinet, mediums are too soft to support my high notes and medium hards were too hard to use at all. I know some people swear by their Vandorens, but from the ones I have played on, I wasn't totally impressed.
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Author: senator1214
Date: 2005-02-28 23:00
Well from when I last saw him a couple of weeks ago, Niedich uses Vandoren V12s #4, Drucker: Vandoren Blue box not sure of the of the # but he has been known to use very hard reeds, and Nuccio makes his Reeds. I hope this Helps
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-03-01 00:03
The pro sax players who use the rico regular can get away with it due to their mouthpiece and jazz sound. No Classical Sax player worth a dilly would use a regular rico - anywhere.
Some strive for "buzzy"...........
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-03-01 00:05
"...Classical sax player..."
Now there's a fabulous career choice ![[right]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie8.gif) ...GBK
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-03-01 00:47
:) - yup. That's probably why Joe Allard was Juilliard's 2nd and last Classical Sax teacher. Though there are a couple of military classical jobs and recitalist gigs, it's pretty much suicide to major in it.
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-03-01 12:22
Just wondering- how can one effectively test out reeds, to choose a brand, without buying a box of ten for each... BUT buying one or two of each brand might not be effective because if you don't like that particular reed, it might not be the brand, but that you happened to buy one of the "bad quality" reeds.
Thus far I have played on Vandoren; Vandoren V-12; Zonda; Gonzalez; Michele Lurie; Rico Royale
I remember really liking the V-12s, but haven't since played on them because I didn't fall in love with them last year... I liked the Zondas, but my teacher didn't, and I don't think they were very durable... I'm using Vandorens right now, and it's been hard to find any good ones in the box, no matter how much I work on them... Gonzalez are nice, but also not the most durible reed I have ever played and seem to work for 2 hours, then the next thing you know, it's warped or something. I never liked ricos or michele luries- stopped using the ricos in like 7th grade and the michele luries in about 9th grade.
-Lindsie
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Author: Pappy
Date: 2005-03-01 13:46
Just had an opportunity to play some Vandoren 56 Rue Lepics over the weekend and I loved them. They remind me of Olivieris. Anybody else have experience with these? Do they last well?
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Author: vrufino
Date: 2005-03-01 15:09
Having played V12's since Morres became unavailable, I find the Rue 56 the best reed VD has made since the V12's . More per box play well and they have lasting power, but a premium price. I like Gonzalez FOF's also.
When I was a student in the 1960's, you could go into any of the many music shops in the 40's and buy one or two reeds from a box. You could not try them, of course, but you could examine them for eveness of grain and color of bark. However, eventually someone would be sold the poorer reeds that were not chosen.
Having watched the promotional video from Gonzalez, I believe that they are trying to maintain quality control. If we clarinet players stop playing the brands that are inconsistent, perhaps the manufacturers will get the message.
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Author: Brenda
Date: 2005-03-01 16:41
Some pros make their own reeds. Learning that skill would make for some interesting lessons.
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Author: sonatina1234
Date: 2005-03-01 17:02
Does anyone here make their own reeds? I've been thinking of giving that a try for a while now. I know a couple of bassoonists who make their own, and they're pretty happy with them. I wonder if it's any easier for a clarinet player to make his or her own reeds...
-------------------------------------------------
Det. Lennie Briscoe: Maybe he's got some other life-long pursuits.
Lt. Anita Van Buren: Like what? You think he plays the clarinet?
Det. Lennie Briscoe: I *hope* he plays the clarinet.
~Law & Order
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-03-01 19:49
"People who don't mind paying good money for a reed that may or may not work tend to buy Vandoren. Those who want better odds tend to buy Gonzalez."
After trying a box of each (5 reeds per box) for bass clarinet, I decided that eventhough Gonzalez are more consistant, they lack the full sound Vandorens give. I prefer 3 reeds per box (actually all 5 reeds from that Vandoren box were good) that give me the sound I want, over 5 consistant reeds that don't. On Bb I do use Gonzalez though.
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-03-01 19:57
> "People who don't mind paying good money for a reed that may or
> may not work tend to buy Vandoren. Those who want better odds
> tend to buy Gonzalez."
I'm sorry to say that I didn't find the Gonzalez that consistent. Sure, they seemed to be good right out the box- a greater percentage than the vandoren, however, they lack durability, and like clarnibass said, "they lack the full sound vandorens give"
I also found that they were just as expensive, if not moreso, than the vandorens.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-03-01 23:38
The quality, consistancy and uniformity of Gonzalez reeds (FOF, Mozart, and "Regular Cut") is now a well known fact among those who have tried them. Many players have permanently switched to Gonzalez reeds primarily because of the above reasons.
Due to the density of the cane, when properly broken in (there is a suggested break-in routine on the Davie Cane web site http://www.daviecane.com/Pages/FAQ.html) I have found Gonzalez reeds to last longer than any other current brand available.
What is important to consider is that whether it is Vandoren, Gonzalez, Grand Concert, etc... some brands of reeds will definitely work better with certain mouthpieces.
After you find the correct reed for your mouthpiece, learn how to adjust your reed to truly make it work up to its fullest potential...GBK
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Author: fredackerman
Date: 2005-03-02 03:21
If I can equate my field with this question then I remember on a professional photography forum a question arose concerning a Nikkor Lens. It was asked if it was "professional" and a Time magazine guy wrote "if you use it then it's professional" I guess the same with reeds! So what did Benny Goodman use?
Fred
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-03-02 03:32
fredackerman wrote:
> So what did Benny Goodman use?
Benny Goodman's reed choice?
Donna Reed, of course...GBK
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Author: Julie
Date: 2005-03-02 20:17
is that an effer he's holding? certainly looks small to be a Bb...
Post Edited (2005-03-05 19:40)
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-03 01:08
larryb wrote:
> nice rare left handed clarinet
It doesn't have to be left handed. Benny was just THAT good.
US Army Japan Band
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Author: Julie
Date: 2005-03-03 01:22
>> nice rare left handed clarinet
> It doesn't have to be left handed. Benny was just THAT good.
damn! once again these things fly right past me! they're supposed to wash over the heads of ignorant non-clarinet players, and here I am, 8-years deep, not notcicing that! then again, I'll just blame it on the fact that I STILL dont know my left from my right! ![[tongue]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie6.gif)
Post Edited (2005-03-05 19:40)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2005-03-03 02:13
Benny was ok at Classical playing. Just ok.
A Principal Clarinetist in a 4th rate Professional Orchestra could blow him away Classically. (4th rate being something like Delaware Sym, Dayton Sym, Charleston Sym. etc)
He was a hot Jazz player though!
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-03-03 12:25
DavidBlumberg wrote:
> Benny was ok at Classical playing. Just ok.
>
> A Principal Clarinetist in a 4th rate Professional Orchestra
> could blow him away Classically. (4th rate being something like
> Delaware Sym, Dayton Sym, Charleston Sym. etc)
>
> He was a hot Jazz player though!
I heard him play classically and thought well of him, but you're probably right- he was a jazz player, and really, when it comes down to it, you can only be REALLY good at one or the other. Jazz is so much different- different MP and reed considerations... different takes on tone quality... different music altogether. And so Benny is probably one of the greatest, is not THE greatest jazz clarinetists out there, but at least he dabbled in other things.
-Lindsie
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-03 15:44
MIL wrote . . .Quote:
I heard him play classically and thought well of him, but you're probably right- he was a jazz player, and really, when it comes down to it, you can only be REALLY good at one or the other. Try telling that to the likes of Eddie Daniels, Larry Combs, Paquito D'Rivera (whom I haven't heard play classical as of yet, but am DYING to because I KNOW he'd do a unbelievably good job at it . . .), Wynton Marsalis, Philip Glass, etc. etc.
While most people do tend to concentrate on one or the other, it definitely is possible to become excellent at both.
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-03-03 16:35
Actually Eric Dolphy was an amazing classical player from what heard. The story says he auditioned to an orchestra, and they didn't accpet him because he was black, and could sight red better than everyone there. He was considered omne of the best sight readers ever.
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Author: John Stackpole
Date: 2005-03-03 17:02
Reference Benny's left-handed clarinet.....
Looks to me, in the picture that GBK posted, that the photograph was just reversed.
If you look REAL close you can see that Benny's double breasted jacket is buttoned right-side over left, which is not the standard male clothing arrangement.
So blame the "picture editor" of the book for flipping the photo.
JDS
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Author: GBK
Date: 2005-03-03 19:20
The picture is (was) reversed. It has been discussed here numerous times.
Let's move on...GBK
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Author: sfalexi
Date: 2005-03-03 19:22
John Stackpole wrote:
> Reference Benny's left-handed clarinet.....
>
> Looks to me, in the picture that GBK posted, that the
> photograph was just reversed.
>
> If you look REAL close you can see that Benny's double breasted
> jacket is buttoned right-side over left, which is not the
> standard male clothing arrangement.
>
> So blame the "picture editor" of the book for flipping the
> photo.
>
Elementary, dear Watson . . .
US Army Japan Band
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Author: larryb
Date: 2005-03-03 19:27
GBK:
I did a search of "Benny Goodman's double breasted jacket" and came up with no results. Are you sure this has been discussed here before?
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Author: music_is_life
Date: 2005-03-03 21:22
right- I got the scoop on the backwards Benny pics from my clar. teacher: she says that the movie posters (or whatever they are...) were inverted because the editor thought that the right hand being on the bottom didn't "look right"- so he inverted it, (artists...), thinking no one would notice, or at least care.
anyway- back on topic of REEDS (!) I'm still looking for everyone's opinion on the different brands- why you like them, why... or suggest something new I might try (to reiterate- I have played Zonda, Vandoren, Vandorn V-12, Rico, Michele Lurie, and Gonzalez)
thanks
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Author: graham
Date: 2005-03-04 08:14
All this reminds me of Brymer obituary in the Daily Telegraph. The photograph was reversed, and Brymer was described as having been principally a jazz player who just happened to pick up classical when he trialled for the RPO, and to his great surprise they accepted him.
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Author: msloss
Date: 2005-03-05 19:03
MIL -- you've tried most of the likely candidates for manufactured reeds. You might mess around with different grades and cuts within those brands, but that's about it. A so-called "pro" reed is whatever a pro happens to be playing. We each have varying levels of success with each brand and cut, but that has as much to do with our setups and playing techniques as the reeds themselves. A number of pros make their own (Nuccio does to answer an earlier question), which throws another option into the mix.
Basically, a pro reed is whatever works.
A beginner reed in my experience is a 6-month old Rico #2 with pieces missing, brown and black stains, and is completely bonded to the mouthpiece because it has never been removed.
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