 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: michinoku
Date: 2007-09-21 13:47
I know that you can use tenor reeds on a bass clarinet, but are the reed strengths equivalent? Will the tone change dramatically by using an equivalent tenor reed?
the reason I'm asking is I really like using the Zonda reeds on my Bb clarinet, but they don't make a bass clarinet reed to my knowledge. But I've had a frustrating time finding a bass clarinet reed I like consistently.
(Hell, any reed recommendations while you're at it? I'm just using a Vito student model while I get a handle for the instrument, but I have a mouthpiece that has permitted me to use 3 or 3 1/2 strength bc reeds, and in general it sounds like a good match.)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-09-21 14:05
Yes-- you can use tenor sax reeds in the same strength as bass clarinet reeds. Zondas work nicely on bass clarinet. Other good brands: Vandoren, Marca, Glotin (if they still make them, not sure), Rigotti (same caveat), Rico Grand Concert, Olivieri.
There is far more variation between individual reeds in a box, or between reeds of different brands, than there is between tenor sax and bass clarinet reeds (when available) of the same brand and strength. That's my story and I'm sticking with it. I've been using TS and BC reeds interchangeably on those two instruments for 30+ years, so speaking from experience.
Others may disagree, your mileage may vary, void where prohibited, must be 18 to order, yada yada yada..........
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-09-21 14:11
Hi,
I use tenor reeds on BC all the time. I've never noticed there to be any problems/issues. While the dimensions may vary slightly, a good seal on the MP table does not seem to be an issue.
Also, I bought a huge number of unopened boxes of alto clarinet a year ago and these have made fine alto sax reeds. A tad smaller but still a good seal on the MP table.
As far as strength, IMHO your MP facing and tip opening really dictate the reed number you use.
HRL
PS I actually use BC reeds now on tenor; for the price I can buy NOS BC reeds, they play just fine.
Post Edited (2007-09-21 14:13)
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Author: kilo
Date: 2007-09-21 15:10
I've used soprano sax reeds on soprano clarinet as well.
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2007-09-21 16:01
If you want to brighten up your bass sound you can try the Rico Jazz Select Tenor FILED (I prefer Filed than non-filed) reed. Would certainly put some zing into the tone without being overbearing or "chainsawish" like a regular rico would.
disclaimer:
I'm an Artist for them.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: davyd
Date: 2007-09-21 17:59
On the general issue of interchangability of clarinet-vs-sax reeds: several teachers over the years have told me "It's the same difference". The trouble is: no one seems to know just what that difference is, same or otherwise.
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Author: Roger Aldridge
Date: 2007-09-22 13:49
At least with regard to Legere tenor saxophone (regular cut, not the Studio version) and bass clarinet reeds there is a noticable difference in the profile of the vamp. This can easily be felt by rubbing the thumb down the reeds....with one in each hand. The tenor reed has a much more pronounced vamp (ie, more "wood" in the heart). Since I've been using Legere exclusively for the past couple of years I'm not in a position to know if similar differences in the vamp exist between other reed brands.
Roger
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Author: Michelle
Date: 2007-09-22 22:43
I use them the other way - bass clarinet reeds on both the bass clarinet and tenor sax and alto clarinet reeds on both alto clarinet and alto sax. No problems.
Michelle
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Author: stagehand
Date: 2007-09-24 01:21
I trade back and forth all the time...
Soprano Sax = Bb Clarinet
Alto Sax = Alto Clarinet
Tenor Sax = Bass Clarinet
Bass Sax = Contra Bass Clarinet
The only difference I have seen is the corners are cut a little closer on the sax reeds. My clarinet players I teach in my JH band that have never played sax have trouble getting use to them, but once they do they love them. When I play I trade them all the time.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2007-09-24 02:23
Actually, the alto clarinet reeds seem to be a mm or so narrower but I used one for a two hour rehearsal this evening and it is a real player.
On older tenor reeds with certain BC MPs, you might need to clip a little bit off the butt end of the reed. It depends on MP and how the back of the table lines up with the flange on the neck. I use an Exacto saw (I think GBK does as well) but a large pair of wire cutters does a well. This is not micro-surgery!
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Author: jmsa
Date: 2007-09-24 03:01
My Buffet Radio Model alto clarinet works best with Hemke alto sax reeds. The dynamic range is superior to alto clarinet reeds and this is most evident when I am recording.
jmsa
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-09-24 03:08
Here's an oddity: I recently received a Zinner wood German-model bass clarinet mouthpiece, which has a smaller tenon diameter than French-style mouthpieces, and best of all......the facing is sized perfectly for alto clarinet/alto sax reeds.
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-09-24 08:36
I tried some tenor sax reeds on bass clarinet and they didn't work great, but no worse than some bass clarinet reeds on bass clarinet, so I'm guessing some would work just as good. I haven't tried many. Alto clarinet and alto sax reeds (both Vandoren) look the same to me. They both work good for alto clarinet. Soprano sax reeds that I've tried looked very different than clarinet reeds and really didn't work at all, but clarinet reeds worked great on soprano sax.
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