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Canyes Xilema reeds: for me, they are perfect

Author: vjoet
Date: 2006-04-05 22:13

Disclaimer: I'm not connected financially in any way with Xilema reeds or with any of the 3 retailers of them that I know about. Furthermore, I am an amateur clarinetist, not a pro, not a teacher. I post this, for I have found a reed that -- FOR ME -- is perfect, and I know of no joy that a person wants to keep to himself.

It was by chance that I stumbled upon Xilema reeds, a Spanish product. I was ordering some supplies, and would get free shipping if the dollar amount exceeded a certain amount. So, knowing nothing about them, and having heard nothing about them, I ordered a box of Xilema reeds.

I have now used them exclusively for over 3 months, playing in a community band, a college orchestra, as well as my private practice and lessons. My current setup is Richard Hawkins B mouthpiece, Bay inverted ligature, Doctor's Products Power Barrel (like a Moenig), a vintage 1961 R13, and a Xilema grade B reed.

I have found the Xilemas to be excellent in every way:
1. Out of a box of 10, 10 are playable, and 7 are "concert quality". Now, I always adjust my reeds--previously with very fine sand paper, and reed rush and now, with the Vandoren glass reed resurfacer, but with the Xilema I find only the slightest amount of adjustment is necessary. (I generally take a few swipes along the sides.)
2. I've never been able to play on a reed as long as others do (because of exceptionally high mineral content in my saliva), but the Xilema seem to last twice as long as anything else.
3. With the Xilema, I have a wider range of tonal colors easily at my disposal, and a wider dynamic range.
4. Articulation is easy in all registers.
5. The Xilema website http://www.xilema.net/ingles.htm lists some impressive Xilema artists, including the principal clarinetist of the Vienna Philharmonic.
6. The grading on them is A, B, C, and D, with A being about a 2.5 and B a 3.

They are hard to find, but you can get them through sponsors of this board: Omar Henderson (Doctor's Products and Forte Clarinet) and Ben Redwine (RedwineJazz), and from WWBW.

vJoe

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