 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: BGBG
Date: 2015-09-20 22:40
Got the idea that beginners start with low reed strength and progress to higher. I may be wrong or right, but why does one go to higher and higher reed strengths if comfortable with, say, a 2 or 2.5? Is it NECESSARY to work up to a 3,4 etc? If so then what is the reason?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-09-20 23:41
You should play on the strength that lets you produce your best tone and gives you the cleanest response. What strength that is depends on the characteristics of your mouthpiece, the character of tone you want to produce and your needs in the response you get when you start or sustain a note.
It isn't necessary to "work up" to any strength that feels uncomfortable. But if you find that the reed closes, is hard to control in the upper clarion and altissimo registers or plays consistently flatter as you get higher in the clarion register, the next available strength *may* help correct these problems.
Karl
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Author: kdk
Date: 2015-09-21 00:30
You may find some useful comments in Knotty's thread, "Embouchure strength question," which is still in the current topic list.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2015-09-21 20:39
Depending on the mouthpiece and the players embouchure and concept of tone using a reed that's too soft will tend to be unfocused and tend to play flat on certain notes, but using a reed that's too hard will sound forced and harsh. I've always recommend working up to the srtongest strength that's comfortable over the entire range of the instrument as well as giving the most satisfying tone and intonation quality. It's different for every player though I would think at least a #3 for most players. Keep in mind too, a 3 on one brand can be softer or harder on another brand.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: knotty
Date: 2015-09-21 22:58
Most things like this BG, not only in clarinet, you have to give it a good try and see what ultimately fits you, what you like and can use well. My analogy again to archery, no one can tell you what draw weight you'll finally use, there's too many variables like a person's stature, muscular development, competitive goals, etc. Given enough time and effort, (and money) things will personalize themselves to you only.
~ Musical Progress: None ~
Post Edited (2015-09-21 23:00)
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Author: fuzzystradjazz
Date: 2015-09-21 23:29
For me, each time I "progressed" up to the next strength of reed, it felt nearly impossible. However, at some point, I adjusted to it, and going back down 1/2 step seemed like torture, as the reed would close, wouldn't speak as well, and just seemed awful.
My last instructor seemed to be on an ego trip where she felt if she could make a student reach a #5 reed, she had accomplished her life's goal. (For me, the #5 had all the musicality of a stick hitting a rock - but she was happy.) Luckily, this experience did indirectly help me out in the long run, as I scaled back down to 4 1/2's once out of her tutelage, then to 4's where I liked the sound.
Then, I changed clarinets. The 4s still worked, but I had to put in a little more effort. Then, I changed mouthpieces. That combination (reed, mouthpiece, clarinet) actually created such force, that it caused the a/ab/ and trill keys to open up when I blew longer Es and Fs, and I didn't want to re-balance the entire clarinet, so I went down to 3 1/2s, had no more leaks, and loved the sound. I stayed there for years and then moved down to 3s. I had finally found my sweet spot for my setup and style.
For me, it all comes down to using the strength of reed which produces the sound you want to achieve, on the hardware that you want to use. It can vary greatly.
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-09-22 07:13
More to do with how the reed strength works in conjunction with a mouthpiece tip opening and how much "energy" you prefer to exert with your embouchure.
The idea that it has anything to do with progression is a fantasy.
.............Paul Aviles
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2015-09-26 00:39
I've used VanDoren 2 1/2s since the '70s. First on the old VanDoren V360 mouthpiece and for the last 15 years on the 5RV. Feel no need to change, as the high C at the end of Artie Shaw Concerto works fine,
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