 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: stanley
Date: 2001-05-10 14:56
Having just started to play I wanted to try different reeds to see which was best for me.
To my surprise I can only get them in boxes of 10 which is a very expensive proposition especially if after using one I find it is not for me.
Is this normal to sell only in 10s.
Any suggestions would be appreciated
Stanley
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Author: Sylvain
Date: 2001-05-10 15:30
Vandoren V12's are also sold in "twin packs", a package of 2 reeds of the same strength.
I think Zonda sells its reeds by box of 5.
Vandoren and Rico reeds are both reasonable reeds at a reasonnabler price (for reeds :( )
For a beginner I would recommend vandoren V12's strength 3, but choosing reed strength also depends on your mouthpiece.
Ask advice from your teacher if you have one, or post your mouthpiece model on this board and I am sure you will get plenty of good suggestions.
Happy clarinetting
-Sylvain
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-05-10 15:54
Most local music stores will sell reeds as singles but they are rather pricey this way.
You can't tell whether you will like the reed from just trying one. They vary. You need to try a bunch of the same type to see if they average well for you and you need to do repeat trials on the *same* reeds on different days. So boxes of 10 aren't that unreasonable. Yes you will waste some money tryng them out and finding what you like but consider it a long term investment. Once you find what you like, you will save money in the long term.
Also even if you get a box you don't like, try to use them up anyway. This will train you to be more flexible so that you can deal with less than perfect conditions. You may find yourself out of town on a gig, something happens to your good reeds, and all the local store has are plain orange box Ricos. You can still play and satisfy your audience.
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Author: Stefano
Date: 2001-05-10 17:14
Dear Stanley,
I agree with Dee.
If you buy a pack of single or twin reeds, you will end up spending more money than purchasing a pack of 10.
Moreover, in a pack of 10, in the average, you may find only 2 or 3 reeds that are "good", while the remaining other are about half, "medium" and half "bad" and unplayable from the beginning (unless you work them a little with sand-paper and knife).
This is true also with respect to the reed strength claimed in the package. If you purchase, e.g. a box of 10 reeds strenght 3 and 1/2, only about 5 are exactly of that strength.
I once purchased a twin pack (because I found useful the plastic reed-holder of the twin pack), and both reeds I found were not good, as compared to the other 3 good I got from a new box of 10.
You have to experiment a little, as part of the learning process!
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Author: Christoffer
Date: 2001-05-10 17:31
My local store sells reeds as singles, the same price each as when they come in a box of 10. When I want to try a new strength or a new brand, I usually buy two, just to get some idea about what it's like. But as a beginner, be aware that you are in a state of constant development - a reed that is absolutely unplayable right now might be just perfect a month later. I started on Rico Grand Concert #2, now I mostly play on Vandoren V12 #3.5. Sometimes I put one of the old, well-worn Ricos on, and they feel totally different now.
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Author: jenna
Date: 2001-05-11 00:46
just a thought --
if you have a child (your's, someone else's, a friend..) involved in some type of school instruction or group, they can usually buy singles from directors. My elementary teacher kept all kinds of ricos, and my high school teacher swears by mitchell lauries, but keeps a few others in stock for different players. if you know someone who could purchase one or two from a director, that's a good bet. they're generally not <i>too</i> bad quality-wise or as far as price goes. Local music stores often keep singles behind the counters, too. not sure on prices though - ricos are cheap, but sometimes you can tell in their playabilty and quality.
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-05-11 01:28
At International Musical Supplier site you can find a bulk selling of reeds blank
in unit of 100s. Cheaper than finished ones.
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Author: John Sachko
Date: 2001-05-11 02:28
Hi Stanley,
I too am a beginner and I know what you're going through with the reeds. I went through the same thing. Overall, I think the advice you get on this board is superb and I cannot take issue with anything I see on this posting. However, I see no mention of synthetic reeds, and that may interest you as an alternative. I found the Legere #3 synthetic to be excellent, and suits me just fine. It is trouble free and is ready when I am. Perhaps when I get to the proficiency of some of the true experts on this board I may think differently. Even so, I think the synthetic reeds may merit your attention. I got mine through Woodwind and Brasswind for $13.78, and I consider it worth every penny.
Good Luck and happy clarinetting.
John
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Author: Stanley
Date: 2001-05-11 07:12
A short thanks to everyone who took the time and trouble to reply. As you can see there were many replies It really is great to know that there is out there such a great group of people who I can turn to for help. Thanks everyone for the really useful information.
Stanley
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Author: Cass
Date: 2001-05-11 12:53
If you are in a school band, ask some others in your clarinet section if they would split some boxes with you. If you find four other people that think they would all use approximately the same strength of reed, that would be perfect because most reeds come in boxes of 5 or 10. You could buy 2 packages of each type of 5-paks and 1 of each type of 10-paks and that way you would each get 2 of each type reed. The blue pack Vandorens have a lot of different types in a box so maybe it wouldn't be as good a test with those, but for most of the others it would at least give you some idea of which ones are totally not right for you and which ones are worth buying a whole pack for yourself.
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Author: William
Date: 2001-05-11 15:49
Another tip--save the reeds that "don't work." If you switch mouthpieces later on, perhaps they will work. You might also offer them to friends who may find that they are the "perfect reeds." Just a thought--good clarineting.
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-05-12 01:37
Actually, if you have just started to play, it's probably too early in your development to go on the "great reed hunt." Instead just go with a good quality reed of the appropriate strength for your mouthpiece and your current ability. Spend your time on developing scales, embouchure control, breath support, etc.
If you have a private teacher, follow their recommendations for now. If you don't, most beginners will do very well with Mitchell Lurie 2.5 reeds. They play very well for almost every one straight out of the box. The only drawback is that they don't seem to last as long as most but it's not a big difference and not a big deal.
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Author: LIZZIE
Date: 2001-05-13 01:41
That isnt right you should be able to get reeds single. I use a Vandoren Size 4 V12 and they come into packs and they can split them for you..
~lizzie~
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Author: Dee
Date: 2001-05-13 02:33
LIZZIE wrote:
>
> That isnt right you should be able to get reeds single. I
> use a Vandoren Size 4 V12 and they come into packs and they can
> split them for you..
>
It really doesn't make sense to buy reeds singly. You cannot be sure you will get a good one. Although I can normally play 10 out of 10 reeds in a box, now and then even I find one that is impossible. People who say they only get a few out of a box are very unlikely to get playable reeds buying them singly.
In most stores (unless you know how to negotiate), single reeds may cost as much as double the per reed price as when you buy in boxes of 10.
In addition, one should rotate reeds (i.e. not play the same one all the time). A box of 10 makes a very nice rotation schedule.
There isn't much reason not to buy in boxes of 10. There are a few, such as Mitchell Lurie Premium, that are packaged 5 to a box though.
And as I said in my earlier post, you simply can't judge by trying a single reed of a given brand, model, and strength. You might have gotten a jewel or a lemon but you have no way of telling.
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Author: Albert
Date: 2001-05-14 18:12
I have found over the years that you can normally with careful shaving or trimming of most reeds get a reasonable average to suit your own particular taste irrespective of the make of reed although some practice has to be undertaken in this respect. I have resurrected reeds that had lost their response by first trimming them by as much as 1/4inch and then shaving them until I get the sound and feel that suits me. With a strong rigid backed single blade lay the reed on a hard flat surface (plate Glass, hardwood, etc' ) shave from the thickest part of the reed down to the tip keeping to the original profile over the whole reed until you get the right strength for your embouchure.
Albert.
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