 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Matthew Moran
Date: 2008-12-29 14:45
Hello all!
I have used Vandoren 2.5 plain reeds for most of my time playing clarinet. In the early years I used to use plain Rico 1.5 when first learning.
The thing is, my playing as improved lots since I started on vandoren 2.5 and I've started noticing shortcomings in the reeds, in that I only like the feel of the reed when on a brand new one. As soon as the reed is played a few times (And, perhaps unrelated, it is no longer porous enough to suck through - should reeds be sucked? I was always told so) it plays a lot more harshly, less mellow and makes altissimo notes much harder to play.
I worked out that my playing style has changed into one that probably needs a harder reed. Is this assumption correct or are there other factors in this?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Brenda ★2017
Date: 2008-12-29 16:36
Sounds like you're in need of a 1/2 strength higher. Start experimenting, first with reed strength then with brands. Buy only 2 or 3 at a time of a new strength since each one will vary from the others that are labelled the same. Something will please you!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: bcl1dso
Date: 2008-12-29 18:39
Sounds like you probably need to move a strength up however, make sure that you do not soak your reeds too much. That will make them sound less mellow and more shrill.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2008-12-29 22:26
"sucked"....as in wetted in the mouth. Or as after wetting and sucking the heel end just for the heck of it.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: EEBaum
Date: 2008-12-29 22:59
I guess it's the "porous enough to suck through" that confused me. Conjured images of sucking on a reed like a straw. FWIW, I get better mileage out of reeds if I soak them in water instead of saliva.
-Alex
www.mostlydifferent.com
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pelo_ensortijado
Date: 2008-12-30 00:54
i know what he is talking about.
you are sucking the "air" out of the reeds timbre, right?
i dont think that is good for the reed. i did that with some reeds for a while and those got really bad.
just play for it. put it in your mouth and wet it. dont suck! after a while the air will go away and it will stabilize. that one of the parameters in breaking in a new reed. at least that is my experience.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mrn
Date: 2008-12-30 02:32
Some folks (myself included) actually try to seal up the pores (xylem) in the reed as part of the break-in process, usually by rubbing or lightly sanding (w/ very fine sandpaper, like #600) the vamp of the reed. Also wiping the reed with your thumb and index finger after you play on it is supposed to help with this because the oils from your fingers tend to seal off the pores (or so I've heard).
One particularly well-known French-American clarinetist is supposed to have used cigarette ashes and even dirt from his shoe for this purpose. (I don't recommend you try that, though. Blecch!!)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Matthew Moran
Date: 2008-12-30 22:47
"i know what he is talking about.
you are sucking the "air" out of the reeds timbre, right?"
That's exactly it. I guess I shouldn't do that then :P
I'll get a selection of reeds next time I go into the city.
Thanks all!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
