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Re: Why are professionals going for harder reeds?

Author: EbClarinet
Date: 2019-09-15 21:00

I personally agree with all of you that are speaking TRUTH and from professional experience. I, too, think it's a certain mindset to say "all" professionals are going harder. Harder doesn't mean or make you BETTER.

I knew the 2nd chair Bb Clarinet player in college was raving and having others worship her because she played a Vandoren #4. I thought this was silly and it didn't mean she was that good. I played a Vandoren 4 in high school marching band because I wanted to play louder for marching band my sophomore year. I went back 2 a 3.5 for concert season. My junior year, I stayed on a 3.5 because playing louder didn't mean I played BETTER. I've been on a 3.5 every since. College, personally, community band and what ever. I have 3.5s on my C Clarinet that are V12s. I have excellent tone quality, warmth of sound and control using that setup, my Pyne crystal mouthpiece and Rovner big.

Now on my Eb Clarinet I REQUIRE Vandoren Whitemaster 4s. They're for Bb but I just cut off some of the length and they fit perfectly 2 my 5RV mouthpiece. I use them for CONTROL and tuning. I've been complimented by my musicians of how well I play in tune with my setup on Eb Clarinet. The Eb plays in the altissimo register a LOT and I need 2 b in tune with the flutes/piccolos up there. The Eb is known for being out of tune, especially in the clarion and long tones register.

I've NEVER saw the use if a Vandoren 5 for my playing. I don't equate reed strength with skill. A Bari sax player told me he played on a 5 for high school so he could play loud. I hope he was in tune though. I had a hard Lavoz which was the equivalent of a 5 Vandoren and I could actually over blow it. My fellow clarinetist in college said he over blew it too. I know reed strengths aren't the same per brand though.

On my Eb Sopranino Sax, I use Vandoren 4s for control and tuning purposes. I have great tone quality on that sax 2. Those 4s for the sopranino sax aren't that hard or difficult to player either.

https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/mbtldsongministry/

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