 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: TEEEJAAA
Date: 2019-09-20 05:30
I have questions about reeds....
All I want to do is practice my clarinet for an hour, but it seems impossible for me to do this lately because all of the reeds I have seem to squeak uncontrollably, jump harmonics uncontrollably, produce no tone at all, or provide intense resistence.
I know it isn't my embouchure, because 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 definitely seems to be a reed problem.
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. All appear in excellent shape: no chips, no warping, no visible deformities in the shape, and no irregularities in the grain.
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?
******
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.
******
Thank you!!
TJ
Post Edited (2019-09-21 02:19)
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Author: kdk
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: TEEEJAAA
Date: 2019-09-20 07:10
Thank you for your reply, Karl.
This is very helpful.
There actually is a slight abrasion on one of the rails on my mouthpiece. Maybe this is responsible for my problem; but I will still try playing using other reeds first, before considering a new mouthpiece. Otherwise the cork is fine and the joints fit snugly.
I am in Minnesota, and there are drastic differences between winter and summer. This problem has really only exacerbated this summer, so the variable is a definite possibility.
Thanks again
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2019-09-20 07:21
Could be that you did just get a bad batch. I have known that to happen, especially with Vandorens, and they aren't cheap. But the last few years I have found that 2 out 3 of them work good enough for me to use at concerts. It could be that mouthpiece abrasion--can you borrow one and compare?
I have lived in New York, Manitoba, now Nova Scotia, and elsewhere -- so in very varying climates/seasons. Never seems to be a problem with my Vandorens. You could try my method of making sure there are absolutely no warps by wetting the reed well, putting the tip on the mp facing perpendicularly (sticking out), and gently "ticking" the reed with your finger. Any slight warpage may cause squeaking.
The Most Advanced Clarinet Book--
tomheimer.ampbk.com/ Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001315, Musicnotes product no. MB0000649.
Boreal Ballad for unaccompanied clarinet-Sheet Music Plus item A0.1001314.
Musicnotes product no. MNO287475
Post Edited (2019-09-20 07:22)
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2019-09-20 07:36
I have experienced some reed anomalies as the seasons change. When we change over to heat for the Winter, the interior humidity drops like a rock. Broken in reeds will sound more brittle and new ones take longer to break in.
But I'd still make sure with a suction test (will expose minor leak right off) that all is well there too.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2019-09-20 16:28
When you say you don't have a promlem when you play someone elses clarinet didyou play it on your mouthpiece with your reeds? First, make sure the tiny screw on the throat A-G# key is not keeping the G# very slightly opened, that will make your clarinet go crazy. if you're positive it's not leaking anyplace in the upper joint than check the suction on your reeds but holding your hand over the opened joint of the mouthpiece and "suck" the air out to see if the reeds are sealing buy closing off and popping open. if they aren't they're leaking causing the problem. The question than is it the reeds or the mouthpiece. Try it with another mouthpiece to determine. If the reeds are sealing do the same with the top joint of your clarinet with the MP on, cover all the keys and block off the bottom, if your reeds were sealing with the MP alone they should also seal on the top joint if there's no small leak.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Steven Ocone
Date: 2019-09-20 17:40
One symptom of a crack is that the clarinet plays well at the start and then starts to develop problems.
Steve Ocone
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Author: hans
Date: 2019-09-20 18:19
Have you asked another experienced clarinet player to try yours?
Ed Palanker's comments reminded me of a clarinet I had with an "A" spring so weak that it allowed that key to open slightly as I played - and it did "drive me crazy".
Here is a checklist for some common Causes of Squeaks that may help to narrow down the problem:
- a dry reed
- overblowing
- accidentally touching a key
- the middle joint is not properly aligned
- using a "wrong" fingering instead of a better alternate
- a finger not covering a hole
- a pad not seating properly
- a weak spring not holding a key closed
- keys out of adjustment (e.g., the "A" key)
- uncoordinated fingering
- a leaking joint
- a cracked instrument (in a wood clarinet)
- too much mouthpiece in the mouth
- a burr on the mouthpiece top rail
- misapplied lip pressure
- a reed is split
- the reed is not perfectly sealed on the mouthpiece
- a reed is too thin at the center of the tip or is stiffer on one side than the other
- a poorly designed, worn, or warped mouthpiece (a warped mouthpiece can be refaced)
- the mouthpiece baffle (the slanted top inside the tip) is too high
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Author: kdk
Date: 2019-09-20 20:44
The thing is, if it is truly the reeds that are causing the problem, it's very easily tested - play a few of these reeds on someone else's equipment, and if the problem persists, try playing on the other player's reed and mouthpiece. If that works well, try a few of your problem reeds on the other player's mouthpiece. It would take fifteen minutes with another player.
You should test the reeds in this way as soon as you can - because while you tinker with embouchure and fingers, look for leaks, etc., the more likely you are to be distorting your embouchure and possibly your fingers trying to solve a problem that has nothing to do with either. You're best off if you narrow the problem down to its cause sooner than later - preferably ASAP.
It's true that there a lot of possible causes for squeaking (see hans's list), and we here have no idea how you've arrived at the conclusion that your instrument isn't leaking anywhere - how it was tested or who tested it. But the reed question you started with is very easily answered and, if it turns out to be a problem with these particular reeds, just replace them. If it turns out that other people can play on these reeds, or even that *you* can play on these reeds with someone else's mouthpiece and clarinet, then your investigation has to go in a different direction.
Karl
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2019-09-21 00:56
I've been trying out Gonzalez Regular Cut reeds, which use a paperboard cover instead of plastic. They're hard to get where I live (Canada) but I can order them from Amazon.ca
Overall I've been happy with these reeds.
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Author: TEEEJAAA
Date: 2019-09-21 04:37
Thank you for all of the replies, everybody!
There is some very helpful information here, and I will save this thread for future reference.
I tried a new Rico reed today, and it plays perfectly well! As unlikely as it seems, I think I really did just come across 14 bad reeds at once.
Also, thank you Beth for the tip about the Gonzales reeds. I haven't tried those, but probably will in the future. I also discovered a brand called ARIA that uses cardboard sheaths....they are much more expensive, though.
TJ
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Author: vrufino
Date: 2019-09-29 01:36
I have been using Brad Behn’s Aria reeds for several months. And really like them. Most reeds in the boxwork well right out of the box and a few needed minor adjustments. They are in light cardboard enclosures.
Dr. Vincent J. Rufino
Professor of clarinet and saxophone
St. Elizabeth University
Morristown, NJ
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Author: fernie121
Date: 2019-09-29 03:09
The reeds you use really should depend on your mouthpiece. I find thinner more flexible reeds work better, regardless of strength, with more open mouthpieces. And more closed mouthpieces prefer reeds made with thicker cane. This is all personal preference though.
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Author: crusius
Date: 2019-09-29 03:15
Quote:
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.
Pilgerstorfers, Behn Arias, and Peter Leuthners all come in paper sleeves.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2019-10-02 15:09
I didn't read everyone's comments. I assume by now you've checked for leaks. If the horn is sealed well are the connecting joints also tight? How are the corks that connect the joints? This too can cause leaks and of course squeaks. It's probably already written, but hows the mouthpiece? I feel a mouthpiece should be looked at by a professional mouthpiece guru every few years because they can get dings, scratches, warped from heat and the ligature being too tight and dropped, all sorts of things happen.
I once saw a player, a student with a $400 ligature and a mouthpiece with a badly scratched up tip and rails. So sad! He couldn't get it fixed, because his mom said no! She was an idiot. Hope she is reading this.
Needless to say it could be the reeds and the mouthpiece combo.
Can you take some pics and post them of the mouthpiece, the side where the reeds lay? The table, the rails and the tip.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2019-10-02 16:56
>Pilgerstorfers, Behn Arias, and Peter Leuthners all come in paper sleeves
Getting off topic, but I'm having a heck of a time finding any of these in Canada. (I can order Gonzalez from Amazon.ca, but haven't located a Canadian source for the above mentioned brands.)
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Author: Doug Leach
Date: 2019-10-02 17:29
Beth,
Regarding sourcing, Brad Behn's Aria reeds are only available on his web site
clarinetmouthpiece.com
Pilgerstorfers and Peter Leuthners are available though Brad, and also through Clark Fobes' web site. Unfortunately, I don't know of any sellers carrying them in Canada.
Doug
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Author: kdk
Date: 2019-10-03 00:34
BethGraham wrote:
> Getting off topic, but I'm having a heck of a time finding any
> of these in Canada.
For my own information, what extra expense is involved in buying online in Canada from a source in the U.S. (e.g. Fobes or Behn)? Is it significant?
Karl
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Author: BethGraham
Date: 2019-10-03 02:07
Well, I popped two boxes of Pilgerstorfers (minimum order) into a cart over at Fobes. US$16.50 for standard shipping. So I'd be paying US$66.50, or approx. CDN$88.63, for two boxes of reeds.
For giggles, I changed my shipping address to my childhood home in California. Shipping is US $4.00.
A bit too rich for my blood.
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