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Re: Mouthpiece and Reed Strength

Author: rdc
Date: 2012-01-04 13:34

I agree with the advice you have been given.

Does the low C also hiss? If not, check to see how far the pad on the right-hand ring keys opens and compare it to the opening of your right-hand sliver-key pad. If the sliver-key pad does not open as much as the ring-key pad, then more venting of the sliver key will help the problem.

If you can still obtain the Steuer reeds, perhaps you could try a number 3 strength. While it is true that a player with a developed embouchure can probably use a slightly harder reed than the mouthpiece description you quoted, the facing of the mouthpiece limits how far you can go. If you try to play on a reed too hard for the mouthpiece, you have to work too hard to blow air through the clarinet and you may develop the bad habit of biting on the reed with the embouchure. Playing the clarinet should not be a physical endurance contest!

While I think there are definite advantages to playing on a mouthpiece with a more closed tip and a longer facing (not everyone thinks so, however!), it is difficult to suggest a particular mouthpiece for you without knowing the facing measurements of your current mouthpiece and hearing you play. The terminology and nomenclature of describing mouthpiece facings varies too much from manufacturer to manufacturer, and there are other aspects of the mouthpiece design that affect reed strength.

If you are set on a new mouthpiece and harder reeds, I advise you to seek the help of someone (a teacher or mouthpiece craftsman) who can measure your mouthpiece (as a starting point) and help you from there. Good luck!

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