 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-12-02 12:33
Pros: Generally more durable than cane reeds. Don't need as much tweaking to play well. No need to worry about properly hydrating them.
Cons: Much more expensive. It can be more difficult to determine the correct strength to buy since the rating system is usually different from what is used on cane reeds (i.e a #3 synthetic won't be the same strength as a #3 cane reed in most cases). May not play the high notes (upper clarion and altissimo) as well.
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Author: William
Date: 2011-12-02 15:27
"Much more expensive"?? Not true, in terms of the life of reed. A Forestone reed will cost around $17, but it is much more durable--particularly in the hands of beginners--and will outlast at least ten cane reeds that will cost $2 each. Do the math. Same would be true for Legere, Bari or Fibercane, it's just that IMHO the Forestone synthetic reed produces the best range of sound--for me, as good as any cane reed I've ever played. Recently, Forestones have been running a bit softer, but once you determine the correct strength, they will maintain that resilience much longer than cane--they do not go soft half-way through the gig and are always ready to play. Forestone, a good choice for the clarinetist of any age.
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2011-12-02 16:06
I got a small collection of Forestones in the softer strengths as I tried to learn which strength suited me and my mouthpiece. I bought a "sampler" when they offered a discount for batches of 5 or 6.
I've passed all of the soft ones to colleagues who are actively teaching young students. I believe that they have mostly done away with the beginner reed problem --for them, the price was right.
Bob Phillips
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2011-12-02 16:47
William wrote:
> "Much more expensive"?? Not true, in terms of the life of
> reed. A Forestone reed will cost around $17, but it is much
> more durable--particularly in the hands of beginners--and will
> outlast at least ten cane reeds that will cost $2 each.
Allow me to clarify. When testing to find the right strength you can easily buy single cane reeds at most music shops for ~$2ea. Conversely each synthetic reed is going to cost $15+ so the cost of sampling them is much higher and you will usually end up losing a lot of money on reeds that aren't the right strength for you.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2011-12-02 16:58
the reason i asked is because i have a forestone #3 that didnt work out for me. I wonder if I would do my young student an injustice by passing it on to her.......
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Author: LJBraaten
Date: 2011-12-02 17:50
janlynn wrote:
> the reason i asked is because i have a forestone #3 that didnt
> work out for me. I wonder if I would do my young student an
> injustice by passing it on to her.......
I'm curious, what was the problem? was it too soft (or hard)? What cane reed(s) and strength work for you? Just wondering how I should go about buying one if I come to that point.
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2011-12-02 18:00
I dont like the sound "I" get with it. NOT saying its a BAD sound - just different and one that I personally dont care for. have used it in a pinch (couldnt find a single functional reed) but have since learned about reed adjustment and can always manage to find atleast one.
it is actually the right strength for me (perhaps a smidge too soft) but i let my student try it once and it worked well for her. and i'm thinking of giving it to her.
I used 3 to 3.5 Vandoren v12 or 56 at the time i got the forestone.
I now use 3.5 Vandoren v12, 56 or ('just' starting 4 traditionals).
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