 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TWilliamson
Date: 2006-07-16 16:20
My Daughter has been playing for about four years on a Vandoren 2.5 reed but she is having trouble getting some of the very high notes. I have been told that it’s because her reed is too soft so I purchased a Légére, which is equivalent to a Vandoren 3. I chose the Légére because its what I use and love but, unfortunately, she hates it even though she can, in fact, hit the high notes much easier. I know from my own experience that it takes time to get used to a new reed strength. My question is, should I let her go back to the Vandoren 2.5 or should I ask her to stick with the Légére for a set period to see if she gets to like it? If so, how long?
Post Edited (2006-07-16 16:21)
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2006-07-16 16:26
Why don't you buy her a box of Van Doren Threes, for Heaven's sake?
b/
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Author: GBK
Date: 2006-07-16 16:30
TWilliamson wrote:
> My Daughter has been playing for about four years on a
> Vandoren 2.5 reed
4 years? By now, that reed is way past its life expectancy. ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
Just for reference:
Signs that your reed should be changed
- After 3 weeks of non-use, it's still wet.
- The green and brown residue on the back has created an airtight seal - making a ligature totally unnecessary.
- Your reed has had more farewell concerts than Barbra Streisand.
- Your friends have inscribed "old lead tongue." on all your orchestral parts.
- The color of your mouthpiece and reed is curiously the same.
- The EPA has roped off the area around your mouthpiece with "Do Not Cross - Bio Hazard" tape.
- The back of your reed is inscribed: "Property of Anton Stadler- please return if found"
- Those annoying roots keep getting tangled in your ligature.
- Brand name: "Reek-O"
...GBK
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Author: TWilliamson
Date: 2006-07-16 16:41
Don't misunderstand; she has gone through two boxes of Vandoren reeds in that time. She is a student and a teen so therefore she is careless with her reeds.
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2006-07-16 16:54
There's nothing special about Van Doren threes. The girl has been using a two and a half, can't make the high notes with it but can with a number three Legere. It's just possible that she ought to move to a stiffer reed, and since she hates the plastic one (I do too) VD threes seem logical to me.
What would YOU try?
b/
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Author: susieray
Date: 2006-07-16 17:19
"she has gone through two boxes of Vandoren reeds in that time."
you mean she has only used up 20 reeds in FOUR years?
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2006-07-16 17:53
> you mean she has only used up 20 reeds in FOUR years?
Those Englischers are not very thrifty, indeed.
--
Ben
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Author: pewd
Date: 2006-07-16 21:42
what bruno said - buy her a box of Vandoren #3's.
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-07-17 00:58
Two issues that need to be addressed are as follows:
Legere reeds play about 1/4 strength stronger than their real reed equivalent, therefore the 3 Legere may be too much of a leap at one time (try a 2 1/4).
The other issue is to realize just how long a regular reed should last. A good reed, cared for scrupulously may last 3 or 4 weeks in rotation with other good reeds before it is no no longer servicable (tone becomes brittle, wheezy). It is, unfortunately the real expense in playing the clarinet. Therefore you should budget for roughly twelve boxes per year minimum.
The Legere have a lifespan too, I would give it about a month of continuous use - just the one reed that is.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: libera_clarinet
Date: 2006-07-18 03:59
My vote is for Vandoren #3. I think they're worth the extra care. And...
"A good reed, cared for scrupulously may last 3 or 4 weeks in rotation with other good reeds before it is no no longer servicable."
If your daughter rotates through a few reeds at a time, the lifespan will increase because you're not putting all that wear and tear on one single reed.
-- Matt
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