 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Stephanie
Date: 2001-07-13 03:33
Hi everyone! I just ordered a new box of Vandoren V12's (3.5's) and I was playing on them the other day. They were to stiff really; I could play on them but I became really winded and it sounded airy. But my 3's were not stiff enough. So here's my question. Should I just try to build myself up to 3.5's or just try to adjust them? I'm afraid to try adjusting becuase I don't want to mess them up. Also, how do I get the most our of my reeds? I had a friend tell me soaking them in water for a few minutes would help. What do you think? I look forward to hearing responses!
Stephanie
P.S. I just thought of another question. Um, how old do you believe a person should be to give clarinet lessons to beginners? Or actually, how well should they play? Becuase I was considering giving lessons this year to some beginners at my school. thanx!
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Author: KevinS
Date: 2001-07-13 04:23
Stephanie,
The V-12 3.5's are really good reeds.... Once you adjust them. Typically, one side of the reed or the other will be several thousanths of an inch thicker than the other. This really makes a difference, especially at or near the tip and corners of the reed. You can adjust the reed by feel using the guidelines given on Tom Ridenour's site until you get the performance you want. If you can afford it, or find a good used one, the aid of Ben Armato's Perfect-A-Reed is awesome. (I think Ben's a Sneezy sponsor?) I've been getting up to 9 useable reeds out of a box of ten by adjusting using these instructions and the Perfect-A-Reed. There are also lengthy discussions of reed adjustment here on Sneezy.
Best of luck!
Kevin Stockdale
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Author: William
Date: 2001-07-13 14:53
You need Ben Armato's Reed Wizard to give your reeds the optimum profile for best performance. If 3,5s seem a bit too stiff, then 3,0s should be just right--perhaps the problem is with the strength of your embouchure in not being able to support softer reed and let it sing. Too manhy clarinetists rely solely on the strength of the reed for quality of sound rather than the strength of the embouchure to support the reeds action and shape the sound. It's called the "too-hard-reed-syndrome" and can affect any clarinetist at any time, especially after a period of lay-off from regular practice when you are trying to rebuild your sound and projection with insufficient embouchure stamina. Too avoid this malady, try playing "double-lip" at the start of your practice. Then, as you begin to tire, switch to your conventional embouchre but try not to "bite" or blow too hard--just be beautifully expressive and "sing" through your clarinet. As for teaching beginners, I think that they need the guidance of someone with more depth of experiance. You sound as if you would be more comfortable coaching third-year players or beyond, but beginners need more special and informed attention. They are like trees, once the seed is carefully planted and nurtured, the tree will grow with only sunshine and occassional watering. If you cannot decide between reeds strengths for youself, I doubt that you can help new clarinetists with the many important issues they face as beginners. However, your willingness to help, i'm sure, will be appreciated and you should be commended for offering to help--just be gentile and overly supportive of their beginning efforts. Seeds only sprout with the help of frequent, proper waterings.
Good clarineting!!!!!!
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Author: Irwin
Date: 2001-07-14 01:55
When I play on a Vandoren V12 - 3.5's after running it through the Reed Wizard, it's like nirvana! Likewise with Kevin, I get at least 9 good reeds out of the box if not 10 using the Reed Wizard.
Be sure to totally soak the ENTIRE reed before playing. That should help.
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Author: Steve S.
Date: 2001-07-14 06:21
Another good resource on reed issues is the "Clarinet Compendium" by Daniel Bonade. I think it is a good practice to play reeds that are one strength harder than what you feel comfortable with. This will enable you to file, sand, or reed rush down the reed to exactly where you want it. I use the Olivieri #4 reed. It is actually a bit difficult; but a 3.5 is mostly too soft. You might say I like a 3.75, but where do you get a 3.75 reed? However, with a piece of very fine sand paper and using the principles in the "Clarinet Compendium" I am able to tailor a reed to exactly what I want. I have found clipping a softer reed is worthless. This is of great debate however.
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