 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: chinaboy61
Date: 2007-03-29 20:55
My teacher told me I should be playing size 4 reeds now. I was playing 2 1/2 reeds at the start of this year and now I'm up to a vandoren traditional 4. After playing V12's for a while I'm now on 3 1/2 -4's . What is the average reed size a professional clarinet player plays?
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Author: GBK
Date: 2007-03-29 21:37
chinaboy61 wrote:
> My teacher told me I should be playing size 4 reeds now. I was
> playing 2 1/2 reeds at the start of this year and now I'm up to
> a vandoren traditional 4.
Just think...in a few years you'll be up to a 5, or maybe a 5 1/2 ![[wink]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie3.gif)
> After playing V12's for a while I'm
> now on 3 1/2 -4's . What is the average reed size a
> professional clarinet player plays?
Now...wouldn't that have a lot to do with the mouthpiece you use?
Just for reference - Benny Goodman played often played on a #2 and Artie Shaw frequently used a plastic reed.
The reed strength, just like your club selection in golf, is meaningless to everyone, except yourself.
Play the strength reed which provides you with a rich tone, flexibility and an excellent response...GBK
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2007-03-29 22:02
I agree with GBK. Many people out there think playing a stiff reed makes you a better musician. I personally play on VD 3.5. My teacher plays V12 4 but he plays on a Bay Mouthpiece, I play on a Selmer C85 series mouthpiece. Typically, the more open the mouthpiece, the softer the reed. Also if your mouthpiece has a longer facing, V12s or FOFs work great, if you have a short facing mouthpiece try Mitchell Lurie. They play well right outta the box but if you play the same reed over and over it wears out in two weeks or so.
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2007-03-29 22:32
Some depends on your mouthpiece facing and tip opening, how much you practice, how long you've been playing, how developed your embouchre is, whether or not you know how to adjust your reeds to the mouthpiece, whether you play jazz or classical or Klezmer... follow your teacher's advice unless it really feels too hard to blow to get a good sound.
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Author: glin
Date: 2007-03-30 04:11
I would venture to guess most professionals are using 3.5 to 4 reed strengths. But GBK is right, use the reed that best suits you. You'll know in the end. If it is too dull, stuffy, or you can't get more than a couple of measures on a breath, the reed is too hard. If the sound is harsh and as a edge to it, I would say the reed could be too soft. This doesn't add into factor your mpc or your embouchure. (I assume they are set and in good shape)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2007-03-30 20:28
Reed strength will vary, as mentioned above. Use what best suits your playing style, developmenmt of embouchure and mouthpiece. As to the size, I think they are all about the same size, give or take a fraction of a mm.
Unless, of course , you switch to a bass clarinet or something like that! ![[grin]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie5.gif)
Jeff
Post Edited (2007-03-30 20:30)
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2007-03-30 21:14
Your teacher hears you and can tell what you need. Listen to his/her advice. Without knowing your particular mouthpiece, lips, oral cavity, and breath support, we can't give you valid advice as to what you should be using.
The mouthpiece has a huge affect on reed choice.
As an example, I once had two mouthpieces that I used; on one, I used a
# 2 1/2, and on the other, a #5. Fortunately, my #1 and my spare mouthpieces match a little better now.
Chris Hill
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