 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: markcr
Date: 2011-03-03 17:33
Hi board members. Here I am again with a classic newbie question. Everywhere I read, as a beginner I should be using a #2 strength reed. However, when I started researching mouthpieces (because everywhere I read, they say to toss the plastic junk my student model came with) I see suggestions like the Vandoren 5RV or 5RV Lyre being the top suggestions. The thing is, when I visit Vandoren's website, they say the recommended reed strength for the 5RV is between 3 and 4 and Vandoren reeds are typically firmer than Ricos. If I were to go by the Vandoren reed/mouthpiece website information, I should be on a 5JB jazz mouthpiece if playing a #2 reed. This is a very confusing topic for a beginner. Anyone care to enlighten me on this subject? Also, I don't have a music store anywhere near me where I can simply go and play every style of mouthpiece. In fact, I think there is only one music store in my area that even caries a woodwind instrument let alone a separate mouthpiece. It cracks me up how often I've read that suggestion on various forums. :-)
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Author: kdk
Date: 2011-03-03 18:02
I'm on the run between chores right now and don't have time to post anything useful, but if you do a search of the archives you'll find lots has been posted here about this subject, some quite recently.
Gotta go! Check back later if you can't find what you want.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2011-03-03 18:18
First of all, unless you are an obsolete beginner a # 2 reed is to soft, you should be using a 2 1/2 and working up to a 3 when you feel the need. As far as mouthpieces go, Vandoren's are good but they make lots of facings. When they say a certain mouthpiece needs a certain strength it's almost meaningless. Everyone is so different that what's good for one person doesn't work for another. All the major mail order stores will send you 3-4 mouthpieces to try and just put one on your credit card. Order 4 different facings and try them with a soft, a medium and a slightly harder reed because one may sound and feel better with a soft reed and the other may on a stronger reed. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: markcr
Date: 2011-03-03 18:21
Hi Ed. Thanks! I had no idea I could try out a bunch of faces first. I'll check out Eddies.
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2011-03-03 19:51
The Vandoren mouthpiece chart is a helpful guide, but it's all right to go a bit outside of the suggested ranges. In fact, I use a slightly softer reed than is recommended for the M15. I have never tried a 5RV, but I had a beginning student who got great results using 2 1/2 Rico Royals with one.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2011-03-03 21:17
The Vandoren chart is intended for players that are experienced, with well-developed embouchures. A beginner with an embouchure that is still developing will usually want lighter reeds for awhile.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2011-03-03 21:22
I stopped being a beginner a long time ago, even though I will never makle it to the pro-ranks. I guess that makes me one of the "obsolete." ![[rotate]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley25.gif)
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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