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Re: Reeds

Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2019-09-20 06:28

TEEEJAAA wrote:

> ...I have played perfectly
> fine with past reeds of the same brands and hardnesses, and
> even when I recently played somebody else's clarinet with their
> reed I was able to play fine. My instrument is in excellent
> shape, and I know I am covering the tone holes with my fingers
> and that none of my pads leak. It is definitely a reed problem.
>

Just to make sure all the alternatives are covered, have you looked very closely at your mouthpiece? Are there any blemishes in the rails? Is the mouthpiece tenon fitting solidly in the barrel socket? Any chance the mouthpiece cork is damaged?

> Right now I have 14 relatively new reeds (some have only been
> played a few times and some have never been played except to
> test them): a few rico, a few vandoren.
>
> I haven't ever had this problem before, and I can't imagine
> that out of the two boxes I am playing from now that every reed
> is a dud. Is this common?
>

Not common, but I suppose possible. If nothing is wrong with your instrument or mouthpiece and your approach to playing works on another player's setup and these reeds have worked well in the past, it doesn't seem as though another explanation is available.

So, don't throw the ones out that you're now having trouble with (yet), but buy a new box of one or the other. You don't say where you are. Here in the Philadelphia area, I've found over decades of playing that I tend to be more comfortable with a strength that's a half or quarter strength lower in the summer than the ones I use in the winter. Theoretically, this may reflect higher summer temps or humidity levels, although I don't know how the reeds know it's summer when I play mostly in air-conditioned spaces. Whatever the reason, it happens (to me). Fall and spring can be frustrating transition times.

Just to test the possibility that something about the reeds' profile has changed, you might invest in a box of the next lower available strength, too.

> My other question is if there are any reed distributors who
> sell reeds without the plastic sheaths? I can't justify buying
> reeds anymore if they come with all that plastic waste. I only
> want a box of plain reeds, maybe with cardboard sheaths or
> other biodegradable ones.

That's a frustration for many of us. And Vandoren adds to the problem with its individual foil envelopes around each reed. There are a number of brands that ship in paper/cardboard holders. In fact, I think most brands I've tried outside of the Vandoren-Rico/D'Addario circle (which includes Lurie and Grand Concert) use cardboard holders. You need to experiment to find a replacement for your plastic-protected reeds.

Karl

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Author

Date

Reeds new

TEEEJAAA

2019-09-20 05:30

Re: Reeds new

kdk

2019-09-20 06:28