 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: SteveG_CT
Date: 2012-12-04 06:54
It's tough to say exactly what reed strength will work. The facing length and tip opening can give you some general guidelines but it is really the profile of the facing curve that will determine what reed strength will work best. Following the general rules of thumb regarding facing length and tip spacing we can surmise that since this is a relatively short facing length with a fairly close tip opening there is a reasonable chance that it will work well with medium to hard reeds.
I'd probably start out with something like a 3.5 Vandoren blue box and work up or down from there as necessary.
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Author: reed and MP dude
Date: 2012-12-04 09:49
It's a close long facing for sure. This setup can be wonderful. Start with 3 1/2 and clip them if too soft. My guess is you may like a thicker reed such as the Vandoren V12's or the 56's. For me, I'd be around the 4 mark and adjust accordingly. I really feel a think blank will be your answer, unless you decide to reface the mouthpiece. If you like the MP stay with it, because most of the time you can get a very rich woody sound out of it.
A and Bb r13's new.
Bb r13 1963 backup
Vandoren 56
Ciaccia custom mouthpiece
1.07mm facing amazing mouthpiece
2 Kaspers as spares
Post Edited (2012-12-11 05:42)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2012-12-04 13:38
For starters, the chart is full of huey. According to the graph, the Vandoren Standards are harder than the V12. I use standards all the time and can barely even get a V12 to play after much work.
As for the facing of your mouthpiece, 17 mm would qualify as a LONG lay in many camps.
Only you can determine (through experimentation) what combos will work for you though I might use a nr.4 Vandoren Rue 56 on that with no problem.
................Paul Aviles
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Author: Robert Moody
Date: 2012-12-04 14:10
I think you should throw on what you've been using prior to the mouthpiece purchase. See how they feel. If they are just way off, go to a local music store (if there is one nearby), and buy a reed (same brand) of each strength variation going in the direction you think you need for about two half strengths. This will cost a few dollars, but the experimentation is worth it.
For example: You've been playing on a 3.5 Vandoren reed. Throw a couple on and see how they feel. Let's say they feel too soft, try a 4 or 4.5 in the same reed. Just buy a couple. If you feel confident in the new strength, buy a box.
Seriously, I believe a little time and money spent experimenting almost always pays off in the long haul.
Also, I doubt any experienced player would say that there is any specific formula that designates a specific reed strength for any setup across all players.
Good luck and let us know what you came up with.
Robert Moody
http://www.musix4me.com
Free Clarinet Lessons and Digital Library!
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-12-04 14:14
This is the kind of question that can't be answered definitively over a web connection. You're going to have to do a little experimenting for yourself.
FWIW, I've played on mouthpieces with facings similar to yours - usually 18mm, but some 17mm lengths and normally have used #4 or #4-1/2 V12s or Rue Lepics. I have been playing since they came out on a Rico Reserve X0 (17mm length, 1.00mm tip) and can't play a 4-1/2 out of the box at all and find #4 a little heavy for comfort. I've been using #3-1/2+ Rues on it, some of which are a little light, although I've recently found that #4 Pilgerstorfers (available from Clark Fobes) play very comfortably on the X0.
Bottom line, I'd suggest you'll probably be most comfortable with something in the 3-1/2 to 4-1/2 range in V12 or something closely equivalent in whatever brand and model you prefer. To get to a more specific answer, you're going to have to invest in a box (maybe 3-1/2+) and see what happens. Then go up or down or buy more depending on your reaction.
Karl
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Author: oca
Date: 2012-12-11 00:51
I've gotten a couple of 3.5 and 4.0 blues from Vandoren and I'm confused on the results. How do I know that a reed plays with resistance because it is too hard or that it plays that way because it is a harder strength than what I'm used to but indeed the right strength for my set up?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2012-12-11 01:19
oca wrote:
> How do I know that a reed plays with
> resistance because it is too hard or that it plays that way
> because it is a harder strength than what I'm used to but
> indeed the right strength for my set up?
The reed has to be the right strength *for you on your set up.* You can tell if after a couple of minutes you still can't comfortably make a clear sound in the chalumeau register and the clarion register is difficult to articulate and doesn't sound homogeneous from note to note.
In my opinion (others may differ) you shouldn't need to "get used" to a stronger (stiffer) reed beyond the adjustment your embouchure will make naturally within a few minutes.
What you can't tell without going through a reasonable sample of a new strength (at least an entire box) is where on the strength spectrum within a given box of reeds an individual reed falls. Cane is variable enough, no matter how consistently it's cut, that you are bound to find some reeds you like and some that you can't manage within a box that's generally the right strength. You should be able to play comfortably on a majority of the reeds in a box. If not, try a half (or quarter) strength up or down, depending on whether the reeds in your test box are mostly too hard or too soft.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-12-11 02:26
The only way to find out is to experiment. No one can tell you because it's different for every player. One player may use a hard reed for an opened facing and be comfortable while another might use the opposite. It depends on your emboucure, the pressure of your bite, how much MP you take in etc. Put on whatever you have and play that strength for a short time then try to decide if it's to resistant or not enough resistance to give you the comfort level, tone quality and ability to articulate you're looking for. It may take a bit of time to settle on what's best for you but if you really like the MP it will be worth it after a while. It helps if you can adjust your reeds too, making them harder or softer as needed.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: reed and MP dude
Date: 2012-12-11 05:46
Can you post a thead of you playing. A "C" major scale played on the slower side can and or will help everyone help you, based on your sound.
A and Bb r13's new.
Bb r13 1963 backup
Vandoren 56
Ciaccia custom mouthpiece
1.07mm facing amazing mouthpiece
2 Kaspers as spares
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Author: Ed
Date: 2012-12-11 15:18
As mentioned, it is very personal. It also can be variable because of a variety of factors in the mouthpiece itself. The facing numbers can be a starting point, but the exact facing curve and internal dimensions can cause a mouthpiece to have a different feel or resistance. Two mouthpieces with the same the tip and length may blow completely different.
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