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Which reeds for a Woodwind K10m mouthpiece?

Author: calvarez
Date: 2008-06-28 16:36

Hello everybody.

I would like to know if anybody uses a Woodwind Company (Leblanc) K10M mouthpiece, and if so, what reeds to you use with it?

I have restarted clarinet for a couple of months now, after not having played for many years. I am using Vandoren traditional 4 reeds, and find myself running out of breath easily. I would like to know if this is just a matter of practicing more to build up stamina, or if weaker reeds should really be used with this mouthpiece.

I had a lesson today and the teacher suggested several other Vandoren mouthpieces: B45, 5RV Lyre, and B40 Lyre.

I have had a hard time finding specs on the K10M mouthpiece, but it seems to have almost the same opening (110mm/109mm) as the 5RV Lyre, for which Vandoren recommends 3, 3.5, or 4 reeds (http://www.vandoren.fr/fr/tab3.html).

I used to play with a B45 mouthpiece and Vandoren traditional 4 reeds, and I don't remember running out of breath.

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Re: Which reeds for a Woodwind K10m mouthpiece?

Author: Keith P
Date: 2008-06-28 17:45

Hello Carmen,

A common mistake that people make is often playing a more open mouthpiece with too hard of a reed. I had a K10M lying around for a while and I found that I would probably like to use Vandoren 3.5's with it, and since you are just starting a would recommend a 3. Mouthpieces such as the B45 and the B40 Lyre are very very open mouthpieces (well, at least from my side of the spectrum =p) so I would recommend strength 3 or 2.5 with those mouthpieces. But a simple answer to your question, I would go with strength 3 reeds and then move up to a 3.5 when you feel you need more resistance.

Happy practicing!

-Keith

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Re: Which reeds for a Woodwind K10m mouthpiece?

Author: beejay
Date: 2008-06-29 09:23

I don't see the point in using roofing slates for reeds. If you are running out of breath, your reed is probably way too hard. There is nothing wimpish about using softer reeds. There are plenty of pros who play on a 2.5 or 3.

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