 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: eac
Date: 2009-02-03 15:36
Does cutting down a Bb reed to use on a Eb mpc change its performance on a Bb mpc? I'm not good enough to detect any differences. I was contemplating cutting down a Legere reed but wasn't' sure how well it would work on my Eb mpc and would rather not ruin the Legere reed in case I don't like it on the Eb mpc. Does anyone have any experience with this?
Liz Leckey
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2009-02-03 16:25
You don't have to cut down a B-flat reed to use on your eflat. Just put it on the mouthpiece and place it over the ring of the barrel. I would not cut down a legere.
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Author: redwine
Date: 2009-02-03 18:21
Hello,
You can't put the reed over the ring of the barrel, unless the ring of the barrel doesn't stick out beyond the table of the reed. I haven't tried a cut-down reed back on b-flat, but all I play are b-flat reeds cut down for e-flat. I wouldn't think it would hurt or change anything with a half inch or so of the the butt of the reed cut off.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Neal Raskin
Date: 2009-02-03 20:41
I would buy a box of Eb reeds. Its worth the investment, and you'll save yourself time and frustration.
www.youtube.com/nmraskin
www.musicedforall.com
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Author: LarryBocaner ★2017
Date: 2009-02-03 21:17
Lots of professionals play cut down Bb reeds on Eb clarinet-- they always worked better for me (on Vandoren B44) than Vandoren Eb reeds. Never tried going back to Bb with them though, as I usually shaved the sides a bit.
I use a diamond cutting wheel on a Dremel tool to cut the butt shorter.
Post Edited (2009-02-04 02:58)
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-02-03 21:38
Try some Vandore White masters and cut them shorter for use on the Eb. Keep your standard Bb reeds for use on the Bb mouthpiece. the White masters tend to fit many Eb mouthpieces as well as or better than Bb reeds do.
Jeff
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2009-02-04 00:00
I've used all sorts of Bb reeds on the Eefer. Right now I use a 3 1/2 Gonzalez FOF Bb reed cut down. It gives a beautiful sound on Eefer. They definitely give the Eefer a BIGGER sound. I find wetting the reed berfore cutting does seem to help the reed from splintering. I have a pair of clippers for bonsai that work the best for me but simple shears or exacto knives work well too.
You can buy Eb barrels that have a flattened area that will accept an uncut reed but I prefer a couple other barrels that do not. This would be another solution, althhough cutting a Bb reed is certainly a cheaper one!
Enjoy the new sound you'll get on thye eefer.
Eefer guy
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-02-04 00:25
I'm with LarryB, I use Bb reeds on Eb too and I cut off a slight bit at the bottom using a small twig clipper as Eefer does, you can get them at any hardware store. Our Eb player in the BSO uses the Vandoren White masters Bb reeds. Does anyone use Eb reeds anymore, I suppose so. I've always found that the Legere reeds loose something in the high register so I wonder how they would perform on a Eb clarinet. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: Ryan25
Date: 2009-02-04 00:30
I also use B-flat reeds. White master or V12. Eflat reeds never worked well for me and I don't know any players that use them. I have also noticed that some reeds that don't quite make the grade for regular clarinet can be fantastic eflat reeds.
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Author: Tony Beck
Date: 2009-02-04 00:57
I've been using Xylema and Gonzalas Bb reeds for Eb. Some mouthpieces like the reeds to be trimmed narrower, others don't seem to mind the extra width. The Pomarico I'm playing at the moment wants narrow reeds. They will play on Bb once narrowed, but not real well. Exacto makes some great saw blades for the big handles that are perfect for cutting off reeds.
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Author: Bradley Wong
Date: 2009-02-04 03:34
Anvil pruners, sold at hardware/garden stores work well for cutting down reeds. The anvil portion serves as a platform to stabilize the reed as you shear off the desired amount.
Brad Wong
Western Michigan University
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Author: MBrad
Date: 2009-02-04 04:00
Eb reeds work fine for me, I tend to prefer them. On the other hand, whenever I get an Eb gig I always get some white masters and cut them down. If you're on a budget then don't even worry about the Legere, just take some of your old reeds (I've found softer ones to work better on Eb) and try using them--I'm sure you must have a few old reeds in the back of a desk drawer somewhere!
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Author: GBK
Date: 2009-02-04 04:26
I also cut down Bb Vandoren or Gonzalez reeds to use on the Eb clarinet. Depending on your mouthpiece the Bb reeds may need to be trimmed narrower
Lately I've found that Rico Reserve (Bb) German Clarinet Reeds work very well on the Eb clarinet when cut down. Their narrower width requires no extra trimming.
...GBK
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Author: eac
Date: 2009-02-04 12:14
Thanks for all the feedback. I'll certainly expand my reed choices for my Eb.
Liz Leckey
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Author: marshall
Date: 2009-02-04 22:47
I do what Jeff does. 3 or 3.5 Whitemasters on a Vandoren B44 are what I've always used. My anvil pruners are probably the best $5 I've ever spent on reed equipment. I've never tried my cut-down reeds on my Bb...but that's mostly because the whitemasters are too narrow for Vandoren's standard Bb mpcs.
PS. Hi Mr. Wong!!! :D
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Author: Tilly
Date: 2009-02-05 08:06
I would strongly recommend an adapted or custom made barrel that will allow the use of a Bb reed without having to trim it. My barrel (made by Stephen Fox who also made the eefer) has a smaller outside diameter instead of a flat surface area so it doesn't have to be exactly lined up to the table of the mouthpiece. If constructed of wood the wall of the barrel would be too thin and not strong enough so it's made of delrin.
A good Bb reed then does not have to be sacrificed and spend the rest of it's life as an Eb reed. It allows for a greater selection of reeds for trial and provides the option of reeds being used interchangeably between the two instruments.
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Author: allencole
Date: 2009-02-06 09:00
I always trimmed Bb reeds in college. Cut the butt end with toenail clippers and lobbed off the sides with a razor blade.
I'm intrigued by the idea of using an unmodified Bb read on the eefer. It seems like it would get a bit husky. Even stranger to me is the idea that you could adjust one reed so that it worked well for you on both Bb and Eb.
Kinda makes me glad my eefer days are over...
Allen Cole
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