 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: ajhogan
Date: 2005-09-28 09:23
The process I use to break in my reeds is as follows:
For about a week I play each reed (break in 8 at a time) 1-2 minutes per day.
The second week I play them about 5-7 minutes a day.
The problem I'm having is that most of these reeds go soft by the end of the first week. I am currently using Mitchell Lurie Premium 3.5 reeds, and I have also used Vandoren V12, and come across the same problem. I live outside of San Francisco and the weather is not extreme in either direction. My clarinet teacher said that most likely the reason for softer reeds is that they are not curing the the bamboo as long as they used to. What are your methods and techniques for breaking in reeds, and what reeds do you use?
Thanks
Austin
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2005-09-28 11:09
Here is my technique.
I take a reed.
If it is good I play it until it is no longer playable.
If it is bad it depends.
If I have concerts I search until I find a reasonable reed.
If I don't I just use the bad reed for practice until it is unplayable.
This method worked for me for almost 15 years.
Good luck.
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Author: bob49t
Date: 2005-09-28 12:25
clarnibass.......just great....not my own method but refreshingly honest and (although not absolutely certain), I would guess that this method is fairly widespread and works....albeit a bit scary.......for a hefty number of clarinettists who don't earn their crust from playing constantly.
BobT (having left the original question unanswered as there is a huge cache of information to be had, if you search the BB archives)
BobT
Post Edited (2005-09-28 12:26)
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Author: bryris
Date: 2005-09-28 16:05
Not being a professional player, here is my procedure:
1. Pull reed from box.
2. Suck on it for a minute or two
3. Bolt it on, and play.
5. Play until it doesn't sound good anymore.
6. Pitch.
6. Repeat.
Some reeds just aren't right...these I usually just pitch on the spot. Some, if the sound is just OK, I'll soak for a while and try again.
But, I just play for enjoyment.....my method is undoubtedly very simple and wouldn't suit the pro.
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Author: D
Date: 2005-09-28 16:12
I have found Mitchell Laurie reeds to be rather 'mushy' for want of a better word. They just don't suit me. Are you able to try something with a thicker blank? The feel of it might suit your style more. They make all these different reeds because we are all different (or because that way we all buy more........)
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Author: ron b
Date: 2005-09-28 19:27
As some have mentioned already, Austin, I also play just for the fun of it these days.
In a "previous life", 11 years worth, I played professionally, and by that I mean that I earned most of my income playing music.
I've never been nor am I now, for lack of a better word at the moment, fussy about reeds. For me a reed, any reed, will play pretty good -- or it won't. After discovering what works well for me, reed/strength, mouthpiece, ligature etc., it's fairly simple and straighforward. Take a reed from the box, wet it, clamp it on, and play it. Once in a great while (one in ninty-nine?) I'll find a mis-cut or something odd about it, and those are discarded. The rest, again about 99%, play okay... for me. When they wear out, don't respond well anymore, I get a fresh one and play 'til it wears out. That's usually a month or two of fairly serious playing.
After playing, I swab the mpc., 'dry' the reed and leave it on the mouthpiece.
- r![[cool]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/cool.gif) n b -
(Another Happy Camper)
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Author: BobD
Date: 2005-09-28 21:33
No one above mentions flattening,rubbing or sanding the back side of the reed or doing anything to the topside.
Bob Draznik
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2005-09-28 21:42
> No one above mentions flattening,rubbing or sanding the back side of the
> reed or doing anything to the topside.
Maybe because this is of more benefit to the player than the reed?
Don't get me wrong - we all need our rituals. Maybe reed conditioning is one of them?
--
Ben
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Author: BelgianClarinet
Date: 2005-09-28 21:45
Nop,
just take them as they come.
Open box,
try them all,
find a few OK,
put them apart and start using them,
after weeks, months, year, open the same box (with the leftovers) again and ...
most of the time nothing changed, only the bad are still there, but sometimes ... I have changed and find a new 'useable reed', then ... throw away what's left.
Only in very rare occasions when I suspect a great sound, but the reed is too week, I cut the top off. Or if it's too hard, try to scrape, but never had a wonder :-)
In the past I only had 1 good reed at a time, but now I've learned at least to have several (about 5) that I can cycle (depending on weather, mood, ...)
Post Edited (2005-09-28 21:46)
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