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Author: kporter24
Date: 2009-06-17 18:51
Hello!
I have a 10th grade student who plays on a R-13 with a 5RV mouthpiece who is exploring reed choices. She has mostly played on and perferred Mitchell Lurie (4's). We've tried Vandoren (3.5), but she still has a fuzzy/airy tone (we do have some work to do with that!). Anyone have some suggestions? Different brand reed and/or mouthpiece combination?
Thanks!
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Author: HBO
Date: 2009-06-17 19:31
Rico's Grand Concert Evolution... it worked pretty good for me. Yielded very clear tone.
...or why not try the Ridenour ATG system? I could get a lot of the fuzzy noise away from VDs with the system.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2009-06-17 20:00
I haven't yet tried the Rico Grand Concert reeds, but I'd like to.
I agree with David completely about the Rico Reserves. I've posted my comments before, and I'll do it again. These really are fine reeds. Some of them need just a little work, but most of the reeds in a box play, and they play well. With a 5RV mouthpiece, I again agree with David's recommendation about 3s or 3 1/2s, but trying 3s first.
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-06-18 00:15
Since you need to work on her fuzzy/airy tone(aka focussing the tone and voicing each note properly) I would suggest moving down half strength. Work on these elements and when she really gets grip on those elements then you can work on strengthen her embouchure if she so desires or you find that it will help her intonation etc.
Personally I've seen students play on 5RV with Vandoren V-12 #3 reeds with very good result.
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Author: ClarinetKatie
Date: 2009-06-18 04:00
Hey, Kelly-
If it's truly a reed issue, my guess is that the reeds are either two hard or warped. You might want to check and see how your student is storing them--- make sure they are staying flat against plastic or glass (not in the little cases the reeds come in). I'm not sure where you are located, but if you are using the A/C this time of year, sometimes that can cause reeds to dry out and warp. When they warp they stop sealing and suctioning to the mouthpiece and that can cause fuzzy tone and bad response. Sometimes my reeds do better if keep them flat in a case and then put the case inside a zip-lock bag to retain some moisture. You might even add a little orange peel inside the bag or damp piece of cloth, sponge, or paper towel. Be careful, though---sometimes this can backfire and if you get too much humidity (or if you experience a lot of humidity where you live) reeds will get mildew---ewwww! I live in North Carolina and I generally only do this with reeds in the winter when the air outside is dry AND indoor heating dries the air even more. She could also try soaking her reeds in lukewarm water for 2 minutes if they are older and starting to dry out. Older reeds are more sensitive to dryness, and many times, that's all mine need.
Otherwise, I would try going down a strength. I don't recall what strength reeds Vandoren recommends for that particular mouthpiece, but they have a chart on their website. Also, I like Vandoren V12 reeds the best, but that is personal preference only!
I hope this helps--- good luck!
Katie Brown
http://theclarinetstudent.blogspot.com
http://clarinetkatie.com
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2009-06-18 12:46
I used to play Vandoren blue box 2.5 or Mitchell Lurie 3 on that mouthpiece...
10th grade sounds about the age at which reed 'inflation' is at its highest ;-)
Though 5RV is a close-tipped mouthpiece, it has a very short lay.
Post Edited (2009-06-18 12:47)
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Author: Iceland clarinet
Date: 2009-06-18 14:55
Bassie said:
"I used to play Vandoren blue box 2.5 or Mitchell Lurie 3 on that mouthpiece...
10th grade sounds about the age at which reed 'inflation' is at its highest ;-)
Though 5RV is a close-tipped mouthpiece, it has a very short lay".
I'm glad someone said it because I was afraid stating this myself as I've seen that the norm in USA is to recommend Vandoren #2.5 or Rico#3 for beginners.
The student has enough hard time get grip of the basics,intonation and rhythm so you don't want him to have too much to push against. Also problem for lot of young students is that they sound too quiet. Closed mouthpiece and harder reed will not help in that area.
Well my beginning students play on Vandoren #1.5 on a Selmer Goldtone #3 mouthpiece. After 2-3 years they might be playing on a Vandoren #2.5 reeds.
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Author: Chris J
Date: 2009-06-18 15:08
Nobody has mentioned this yet, so sorry if this is stating the obvious and you have considered and excluded it by trying other mouthpieces etc
But if all reeds so far have an airy tone, then might the mouthpiece need refacing?
Might the mouthpiece just not suit her instrument?
Has she tried other mouthpieces on her instrument; her mouthpiece on other instruments or other peoples mouthpiece / insturment set ups?
If the airy tone follows her with all set ups, then it is down to technique and solved by the hard work of practice. If she has a clearer tone with one of the other combinations, then she should reconsider her set-up.
Personally (which goes for nothing in this context) I like Alexander Superials and an ATG tweak
Chris
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Author: pierrot
Date: 2009-06-19 00:10
Hi there,
I suggest you try Rico Evolution; it has better response and more clarity than the Vandoren V12. The strength is always hard to determine when you make a switch but I would suggest starting with a 21/2-3 and then decide when you hear the student where to go from there. The Rico Evolution is not quite as hard as the Vandoren V12 but once you find the correct strength you have a better reed (and if you live in the US you are supporting a great progressive American company as well as the US economy....nothing wrong with that....).
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Author: Curinfinwe
Date: 2009-06-19 02:17
I agree with what Chris J said. I tried a bunch of 5RVs, and found them to generally have a very airy tone in comparison to other Vandoren mouthpieces such as M30, M15 and B45.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2009-06-19 02:18
Let's go back tot he beginning of this for a minute. First, you don't say how your student sounds on the Lurie 4s. Second, you don't say whether or not you've tried the mouthpiece and instrument with either a Lurie 4 or a Vandoren 3.5 and how it sounded and felt to you. If there's something wrong with either the instrument or the mouthpiece, the quickest way to find out is to test it yourself. Then if those possibilities are eliminated, it makes sense to think about reeds.
If the Luries sound OK and she likes them, maybe the best thing is to leave her on them for awhile. If she's comfortable with the Luries but you don't like something in the result she gets, then what is it in the sound that you think she should change - what improvement are you hoping to make with a reed change? Is there something about the Luries that *she* doesn't like ("prefers" maybe being a relative term)?
The fuzzy sound from the Vandorens (do you mean V12 or traditional "blue box" 3.5s?) probably means they are too hard for the 5RV, although I've heard students who sounded very fuzzy on too soft reeds because they were pinching them and preventing them from vibrating. If they are too hard, a strength softer may solve that problem.
For just about every reed on the market there are lots of players - students and pros - who use them happily (or they wouldn't remain on the market). Everyone's recommendations are good ones, if they solve the problem you and your student are dealing with. Tell us more about that.
Karl
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2009-06-19 07:51
> Vandoren #2.5 or Rico#3 for beginners
Fine if you're on an M15 or M30; 5RV is a different animal
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