 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-04-07 21:44
Ok I was told a 1-1/2 rico reed might be too soft for my YCL 450 but I tried the #2 and found that the 1-1/2 is much easier with better response. The #2 just didn't work well for me. Maybe that will change later on but with the 1-1/2 I can almost play the intire scale of the instrument. BTW I just got it yesterday and it's really an interesting instrument and fun to play. So has anyone else used 1-1/2 rico reeds to begin?
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Author: mtague
Date: 2006-04-07 23:00
When I first started I was on 1.5 and 2. If that's what works for you, then use it. Later you may move up, or not. I think your mouthpiece might determine the reed strength more than the clarinet. People who know more can give better advice. Or if you have a private teacher, they could advise you.
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Author: edk312001
Date: 2006-04-08 02:50
i also started with 1.5 redd last time..at first,the less thick reed will always make you feel comfortable.But after playing for some time,u realize that the sound will get thinner n thinnerand your range will be very restricted..then you will realize it's time to go for thicker reed at that point.When you go higher,it's always feel uncimfortabel at first,but that is normal..after some time,you'll get used to it..happy playing
edk312001@yahoo.com
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-04-08 03:05
edk312001 wrote:
> i also started with 1.5 redd last time..at first,the less thick
> reed will always make you feel comfortable.
A #1 1/2 strength reed, a #3 strength reed and a #5 strength reed are all the same thickness ...GBK
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-04-08 03:47
>reed might be too soft for my YCL 450
its a function of your mouthpiece, not the model of clarinet, mostly.
for most students, 1 1/2 is way too soft.
what type of mouthpiece do you have?
how long have you been playing?
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-04-08 04:54
pewd wrote:
> >reed might be too soft for my YCL 450
>
> its a function of your mouthpiece, not the model of clarinet,
> mostly.
> for most students, 1 1/2 is way too soft.
> what type of mouthpiece do you have?
> how long have you been playing?
The mouthpiece is a Yamaha 4C and I've been playing for 2 days. I did play tenor sax for about 3 months prior though.
>
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Author: John O'Janpa
Date: 2006-04-08 12:24
Clarinet embouchure is typically firmer than saxophone embouchure. You should try firming your embouchure some. You will probably move up in reed strength quickly once you get the hang of it. Do you have an experienced player, or better yet a clarinet teacher to help you get going? Be careful not to develop bad habits which can be hard to break later.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-04-08 14:23
For the very beginner a 1 1/2 is probably an excellent choice and will ensure your placement in the 3rd clarinet section hall of fame. In time and with practice you will desire a place in the Second Section and will probably find a 2 1/2 or 3 better suited to that music. If playing First Chair is your desire .......you'll need a lot of help.
Bob Draznik
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-04-08 15:56
i'd start with a 2 1/2 on a yamaha mouthpiece, maybe a #2. 1 1/2 is too soft, imo.
a 4c isnt a real good mouthpiece.
a vandoren 5rv-lyre or fobes debut would be a better choice
fwiw, i start beginners on vandoren traditional #3's on 5RV-Lyre mouthpieces.
what bob said - get some help - lessons from a good teacher would go a long way to getting you started off right
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-04-08 16:52
pewd wrote:
> i'd start with a 2 1/2 on a yamaha mouthpiece, maybe a #2. 1
> 1/2 is too soft, imo.
> a 4c isnt a real good mouthpiece.
> a vandoren 5rv-lyre or fobes debut would be a better choice
>
> fwiw, i start beginners on vandoren traditional #3's on
> 5RV-Lyre mouthpieces.
>
> what bob said - get some help - lessons from a good teacher
> would go a long way to getting you started off right
Yeah a teacher would help and I am looking around for one. Just one question, are there any jazz mouthpieces suitable for beginner? My clarinet seems a bit stuffy and maybe a jazz mpc would help.
>
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-04-08 18:46
FWIW my teacher is a jazzer and he likes the tone of my Hite Premiere. It's a bit brighter than my Yamaha 4C and works really really well with Mitchell Lurie #3s. (at least in combination with my embouchure, of course; your mileage may vary)
--
Ben
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Author: Dan Shusta
Date: 2006-04-08 19:02
YCL-450,
When I read that you were playing with a 1 1/2 reed and was able to play almost the entire range of the instrument, I began to wonder what kind of mpc you were using.
When I read later that you were playing a Yamaha 4C, then I began to understand exactly what you were experiencing.
I tried a 4C about 10 days ago with a Mitchell Lurie #2 and found it to be quite resistant. However, I found that the upper clarion and lower altissimo sections were rather easy to produce. Since I had my measuring gauges with me, I measured the mpc facing and came up with 32-20-10-2. To me, this is a rather short, shallow facing with a narrow tip opening. At first, I found it hard to believe that a 1 1/2 reed strength could produce such a range but the Yamaha 4C facing measurement explained to me how this could be possible.
The 4C facing curve also explains to me why you felt a #2 was unsatisfactory for you. If you're going to want to increase the reed strength, IMO, you're going to have to get a different mpc with a facing that will allow you to use stronger reeds.
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-04-08 20:32
Dan Shusta wrote:
> YCL-450,
>
> When I read that you were playing with a 1 1/2 reed and was
> able to play almost the entire range of the instrument, I began
> to wonder what kind of mpc you were using.
>
> When I read later that you were playing a Yamaha 4C, then I
> began to understand exactly what you were experiencing.
>
> I tried a 4C about 10 days ago with a Mitchell Lurie #2 and
> found it to be quite resistant. However, I found that the
> upper clarion and lower altissimo sections were rather easy to
> produce. Since I had my measuring gauges with me, I measured
> the mpc facing and came up with 32-20-10-2. To me, this is a
> rather short, shallow facing with a narrow tip opening. At
> first, I found it hard to believe that a 1 1/2 reed strength
> could produce such a range but the Yamaha 4C facing measurement
> explained to me how this could be possible.
>
> The 4C facing curve also explains to me why you felt a #2 was
> unsatisfactory for you. If you're going to want to increase
> the reed strength, IMO, you're going to have to get a different
> mpc with a facing that will allow you to use stronger reeds.
>
Well when I say intire range I didn't mean altissimo or anything else exotic. Just the basic scale from low E to about A above the staff.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-04-09 00:12
Sean.Perrin wrote:
> I started on 2.5... was I nuts? now i play on a 4 V12, what
> does everyone else use?
Why does it matter?
Other than just being curious (or is it insecurity?) the strength reed that individuals use is a meaningless item. It is dependant on a number of factors. They are (but are not limited to) mouthpiece facing, tip opening, embouchure, bite, lip thickness, configuration of jaw and teeth, etc...
If you were to survey a good number of clarinetists, you would probably find that most play a medium to medium close mouthpiece facing and use medium to medium hard reeds.
There are others (but fewer) that play more extreme set-ups: very close facing/harder reed and very open facing/softer reed.
Again - Don't be overly concerned about what others are playing. If you are happy with your sound and over all control, you've found the correct combination...GBK
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Author: Sean.Perrin
Date: 2006-04-09 00:56
Haha... i'm not insecure about my reed choice, I was just wondering because 1.5 or a 2 would have probably been too soft for me when i started (granted this is a long time ago now) and I very quickly moved up to number 3 reeds.
On a side note, I have always enjoyed the sound a harder reed procuces, darker and more rich in my opinion.
Founder and host of the Clarineat Podcast: http://www.clarineat.com
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Author: mtague
Date: 2006-04-09 08:57
YCL-450, you should see if you can find a music store and try out mouthpieces. You could buy a reed from a few different strength choices as well, for more testing and see what combo works for you and what you like.
Though if you've only been playing for a few days, you could just learn on your current mp and reeds and then when you find a private teacher, have them advise you, or even go with you to the store.
Sean, I play on blue box vandorens, str 3, with an HS*, and now with a 2RV. I have some 3.5's, but find them too hard. Actually, with the HS*, I would consider trying a 2.5, but for the 2RV, David Spielgathal (who's name I've probably horribly mauled), repaired it with my reed preference in mind. I've tried str 4 and up, but have never really had a good time with them. Hard to play on and a strained sound for me.
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Author: BobD
Date: 2006-04-09 12:22
The muscles that control one's embouchure are usually not very strong in beginning players that's mainly why a lower number reed is often recommended. Then, of course , a rare beginner may have relatively strong embouchure muscles
Bob Draznik
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2006-04-09 14:32
There may be a possibility that you set lower and upper lips like this:
http://www.kjos.com/band/band_news/band_news_emb2_ph4.html
People who started sax and then took clarinet may have this tendency.
The upper lip should be closer to the mouthpiece tip and the lower lip should be far from there to give a wider reed vibration area as shown in this picture.
http://www.tcnj.edu/~mckinney/clarinet_embouchure.htm
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Author: YCL-450
Date: 2006-04-09 19:52
YCL-450, you should see if you can find a music store and try out mouthpieces. You could buy a reed from a few different strength choices as well, for more testing and see what combo works for you and what you like.
Though if you've only been playing for a few days, you could just learn on your current mp and reeds and then when you find a private teacher, have them advise you, or even go with you to the store.
Sean, I play on blue box vandorens, str 3, with an HS*, and now with a 2RV. I have some 3.5's, but find them too hard. Actually, with the HS*, I would consider trying a 2.5, but for the 2RV, David Spielgathal (who's name I've probably horribly mauled), repaired it with my reed preference in mind. I've tried str 4 and up, but have never really had a good time with them. Hard to play on and a strained sound for me.
This morning I decided to try the #2 rico reed again and ya know, I had no problems with it. It felt slightly more resistent at first but after a few minutes of playing I didn't notice it anymore. I'm going to try and use a #2 from now on.
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Author: pmgoff78
Date: 2006-04-09 20:22
GBK is right. I've never cared what other people played. It's never seemed to fit my situation. If only we knew how much major professionals (Eddie Daniels, Dick Stolzman, etc.) waffled on their setups.
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Author: Steve Epstein
Date: 2006-04-10 01:02
"This morning I decided to try the #2 rico reed again and ya know, I had no problems with it. It felt slightly more resistent at first but after a few minutes of playing I didn't notice it anymore. I'm going to try and use a #2 from now on."
I think that two (well now, three) days of playing an instrument you have never played before is a bit premature to start replacing equipment. I would give it at least a few weeks to see how it goes. Then, if you do not end up getting a teacher I would take it in to a reputable tech if you are still having problems. Better to invest money fixing leaky keys before replacing mp's. Been there, done that.
Steve Epstein
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