 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2000-10-06 13:35
I have been using a Rice #3 reed for a bit now, and last night found that my embouchure could deal with a #3.5 and the sound seemed to be much better.
My question is, what reed strength do most people on this NG use? What should I strive for with proper practice? Is there a "too stiff" reed?
TIA,
Matt
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Author: William
Date: 2000-10-06 15:07
There are really no quick, easy answers here. Reed strengths are dictated pretty much by the tip openings of our mouthpeicies (mps). If "close." you must use a stiffer reed (#4+), if "open," use a softer reed (#2.5-) For "medium open" players like myself, I start with VDs #4 or 4.5, and work them down (balancing with my reed knife and my Reed Wizard to fit the lay of my personal mp) to about a #3. My 8th grade students usually played #3 reeds on their student grade mps and most could play up to high G with acceptable tone quality (depending upon their personal home practice habits). Beginners (6th grade) usually started on 2.5 strengths. Too soft a reed will "blow easy," produce a thin, shrill sound, and will play flat in pitch. Too stiff a reed will be produce a dull, breathy sound, cause articulation to be "fuzzy", will play sharp in pitch and will cause endurance problems (it will be hard to blow). What we want is something "in between" soft and hard, that will articulate clearly, play (with relative ease) the entire practical range of our clarinets (low E to high G) with a full bodied sound at pp or ff dynamic levels (dark but resonant) and play in tune without undue embouchure "bite." IMHO, too many players, amatures and pros, tend to use reeds that are too hard. I hope this rambling helps a bit. Good luck.
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Author: The bald eagle
Date: 2000-10-06 16:29
William gives good advise. I buy reads by the box and find that only about 70% of a box will work. I do not have the expertise or time to adjust reeds.
Also reed strenghts vary from manufucturer to manufacturer. There is a reed strenght comparision charter on line at International Music Suppliers.
If you use a Vandoren B-45 mouthpiece (and it is a very good mouthpiece even right out of the box) a vandoren 3 or 3.5 is generally right.
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Author: Meri
Date: 2000-10-06 19:53
Personally, a "too stiff" reed is one that is difficult to play given good technique and the mouthpiece.
I have three different brands of reeds that I use currently. First is the VandorenRegular #4, which usually become about a 3.75 after minor adjustments. Second is the Legere 3 1/2-3 3/4. Third is the Grand Concert Select 3 1/2 or 4.
Interestingly, while the reed strength comparision chart indicates Grand Concert Select reeds as a bit softer than the Vandoren, I find that they are a bit stiffer, but definitely more consistent than the Vandoren. But then I wonder if my Fobes Debut has anything to do with it, or whether outhers find the same thing with the GC Select reeds.
Meri
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Author: spencer prewitt
Date: 2000-10-09 04:22
what strength reed would you reccomend playing on with a B-46 mouthpiece i am currenty using a la-voz hard
spencer
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2000-10-09 15:24
Thanks to those who responded here. BTW, my reeds are Rico not Rice! { } Anyway, I'm going to be experimenting a bit but keeping in the 3-3.5 range. I'll probably purchase a couple 4's just to play. I think experimentation and time will help me get dialed back in.
Matt
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