The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Eb Clarinet Reeds

Author: PiccNick
Date: 2017-05-25 08:41

Hello all,

My name is Nick, and I'm new to the group. I am a woodwind doubler just getting started on Eb Clarinet.

(I have been playing Bb Clarinet for 10 years, and I currently play on a Yamaha YCL-450, with a Reserve X0 mouthpiece. My preferred reed is Mitchell Lurie 4.5)

I just got a LeBlanc Vito Eb Clarinet (plastic for outdoor gigs), and I'm wondering if anyone would recommend certain reed strengths. I'm assuming the embouchure is very different from the Bb Clarinet, so I'm not sure if I should start playing on softer reeds for now. Or does it not really matter?

Should I start on 2's and 2.5's as a beginner on Eb Clarinet, or just keep using the strength I'm used to on Bb Clarinet?

Many Thanks!

-Nick
Multi-Instrumentalist
The Hartt School
http://www.nickborghoffmusic.com

Reply To Message

Re: Eb Clarinet Reeds

Author: jdbassplayer
Date: 2017-05-25 16:27

Without knowing the mouthpiece it would be impossible to tell you what reed to use, however a good place to start would be to cut down the back of one of your Bb reeds so it fits on the Eb mouthpiece. Many players use Bb reeds on Eb because they are cheaper and offer a wider selection. If you don't want to cut down your reeds Backun and Martin Freres both offer an Eb barrel with a cutout so you can use Bb reeds on your Eb.

-Jdbassplayer

Reply To Message

Re: Eb Clarinet Reeds

Author: Roxann
Date: 2017-05-25 16:38

I'm using the same make and model mpc on my Eb as on my Bb. It's just smaller, but the tip opening is the same. Someone on BBoards suggested I use a stiffer Bb reed on the Eb than I do on my Bb in order to keep the altissimo range in tune. It works beautifully. I do cut the end off the reed so it fits my mpc. SO much will depend on the tip of your Eb mpc though.

Reply To Message

Re: Eb Clarinet Reeds

Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-05-25 22:42

I'm with JD and Roxann...
Start by sacrificing one of your ML 4.5s, cut the bottom of the reed with a hacksaw and see what happens on you effer. I suspect you'll be able to make a judgment call real fast.

Reply To Message

Re: Eb Clarinet Reeds

Author: PiccNick
Date: 2017-05-25 22:58

Thanks everyone! I will experiment with my ML 4.5's and go from there.

So does this mean i just simply trim the end of the reed (the thick dense part) until it fits on the mouthpiece?

Thanks,

-Nick
Multi-Instrumentalist
The Hartt School
http://www.nickborghoffmusic.com

Reply To Message

Re: Eb Clarinet Reeds

Author: ClarinetRobt
Date: 2017-05-25 23:35

Nick...seems like 1/2" off the end will do the trick.

Reply To Message

Re: Eb Clarinet Reeds

Author: PiccNick
Date: 2017-05-25 23:56

Awesome. Thank you so much!

-Nick
Multi-Instrumentalist
The Hartt School
http://www.nickborghoffmusic.com

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.