 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: crysania
Date: 2017-03-02 23:38
I'm just curious with all the new reeds that seem to have appeared since the last time I played, does anyone have a preferred reed for Eb Clarinet?
I always played on the Vandoren traditional reeds back in the day, but I wondered about other possibilities out there.
I'm not sure it matters, but I have a J&D Hite mouthpiece (bought in the early 1990s).
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2017-03-02 23:45
My first thought would be to play whatever you use for Bb clarinet. You've probably done a good deal more experimenting with that, and you'll get similar results on Eb.
A lot of players use Bb reeds on their Eb clarinets. If the strength isn't too hard, you may not have to buy separate reeds at all. You'll probably need to cut the butt end a little shorter so it fits the mouthpiece table lengthwise and doesn't sit on the barrel ring.
Karl
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Author: Ed
Date: 2017-03-02 23:59
I have sometimes used cut down Bb or Bb White Masters. Sometimes that has been because I had some Bb reeds that were already broken in and.....well, to tell the truth, I was a little lazy. Overall, I generally have used traditional Vandoren Eb reeds. It seems they have a bit more pop to the sound than using a Bb reed.
Post Edited (2017-03-03 02:19)
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Author: crysania
Date: 2017-03-03 00:05
I've never been a big fan of cutting down the Bb reeds. I tried that at one point but just didn't like it. The mouthpieces are different ones so it might revolved around having different facings (my Bb is a custom made one...don't ask me by who...I got it back around 1994-1995 and my memory is not that good!). (I used V12 5's on the Bb, but traditional 4's on the Eb).
I used to always use the traditional ones, but used V12 on Bb. I was contemplating trying V12s on the Eb but wasn't sure what people thought of that mix!
Sadly I haven't done TOO much experimenting with Bb reeds either. I used traditionals, then V12s (right now I'm using traditionals but just bought a sample pack of new ones to try as the last time I played they didn't have quite so many choices!). I'm just getting back into playing after a good 12+ years off.
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Author: KenJarczyk
Date: 2017-03-03 03:52
Here's Dr. Jun Quan of Baylor showing how to "chop" your Bb for Eb.
https://youtu.be/HpSPN69JhlY
About half my life is Eb these days. I just adore that instrument! I've found Vandoren (Bb) Rue LePec 56 very much to my liking.
Ken Jarczyk
Woodwinds Specialist
Eb, C, Bb, A & Bass Clarinets
Soprano, Alto, Tenor & Baritone Saxophones
Flute, Alto Flute, Piccolo
Post Edited (2017-03-03 03:57)
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2017-03-03 07:05
I use either vandoren blue box 3 or Mitchell lurie 4 on both my Bb and Eb. I get better
Response on my effer using the Bb reeds and trimming the end is not a prob.
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Author: crysania
Date: 2017-03-03 18:14
I bought one of those mix cards for my Bb (it arrives today). I've never tried the Rue Lepic or V21 reeds (I don't even think those were around the last time I was playing -- 12-13 years ago) so I'm looking forward to trying them. Of course, I do recall that I never got a full box of usable reeds so there's the concern that the reeds I get will be bad ones, but...I guess that's the price I pay!
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2017-03-03 18:23
Currently experimenting with trimmed Steuer Bb reeds and am pleased with the results, despite not being a convert for my Bb instrument. Just proves the point that the "best" choice of reed is always dependent on the player and mouthpiece as well - why so many of us keep experimenting in search of that elusive perfect combination!
I abandoned buying Eb reeds some time ago, having found that reeds recycled from previous use on the Bb often responded better, and being broken in already are instantly playable.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2017-03-03 19:44
I have found the following Bb reeds cut down for Eb have worked well for me:
VanDoren V21s seem to work best of the VanDoren's I've tried.
Gonzalez FOF reeds are mostly good, although I use a 1/4 to 1/2 strength less than what is best on my Bb. Sometimes I play the reed on my Bb and retire it to the Eefer.
AW reeds seem very consistent and have a nice sound. Am just starting to play with them but I get better control over the high notes with these reeds.
Still have a box of Vintage Australia Eb reeds that i squirreled away. They were the very best but I don't see them anymore.
Hope that helps!
Eefer guy
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Author: dorjepismo ★2017
Date: 2017-03-03 20:01
Had good luck cutting down Leuthner German cut Bb reeds. Steuers and Pilgerstorfers would probably work about the same. Work pretty much like AW, but I think the cane might be a bit better. For me, they have a mellower sound and make it easier to play soft up high than Vandoren Eb reeds.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2017-03-04 04:45
Thanks to recommendations I got on BBoards a couple of years ago, I use the same reed on my Eb as on my Bb, except it's a bit stiffer. I use Gonzales FOF's 2 3/4 strength on my Bb and use Gonzales FOF 3's on my Eb. I just cut about 1/4" off the butt end to play it on my Eb. HOWEVER, after reading what Ebclarinet1 wrote above, I'm thinking of trying a 2 1/2 on my Eb and seeing how the altissimo notes sound. I seem to have better luck keeping the altissimo notes in tune with a bit stiffer reed, but am curious what will happen with a slightly less stiff reed. I really like the idea of sticking with the same brand and model on both clarinets.
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Author: Ebclarinet1
Date: 2017-03-04 21:47
Roxann,I would definitely go up in reed strength on your Eefer. Most of what you are playing is in the high end range of the instrument and a stronger reed will give you a better chance for getting those notes in tune. However, i use a much more stiff reed than you do on Bb too so it may be your mouthpieces are much more closed than mine.
I think you might want to experiment with a range of reed strengths and compare your tone and most importantly INTONATION with the Eefer on the high end of the range. You can go OVERBOARD with t his too. I have friends that play on 5's and their tone is horrible!
Eefer guy
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2017-03-05 00:21
THANKS, Eefer guy! IF I could purchase just 2-3 Gonzales FOF reeds (which I use exclusively), I'd give that a try, but the thought of buying an entire box only to discover they're too stiff for me has held me back. I could buy a single 3 1/2 Vandoren, but I don't know how comparable it would be to a Gonzales. It certainly wouldn't hurt to try. I know that a 3, on my mpc, is my limit...and it's a bit of a struggle. My mpc has a 1.05 tip opening. I do have another identical mpc with a 1.15 tip opening. I've not experimented to compare how stiff I can go on one vs. the other. Hmmm...now you've piqued my curiosity!
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