Author: Matt74
Date: 2021-09-05 10:48
My advice for a beginning adult is to avoid thinking about reed brands in terms of "good reeds" and "bad reeds" without having tried them. You can really only tell by playing them. Try buying two or three different brands in boxes of # 2s. See what they have on Woodwind and Brasswind. Start with ones that are around $17-25.00 for 10 reeds. Make sure it's a box of 10, sometimes it's not obvious. Pick a few from each box and try them out. If some don't work at all, don't use them. Try:
Rigotti Gold
LaVoz
Vandoren blue box
Gonzales and Rico Grand Concert are probably not good for beginners. Some better reeds have a thicker heart and require a more developed embouchure and breath support.
Student reeds are thinner at the tip, so they are easier to start on. They may not be as high quality, or last as long, but they may be easier at first, so give them a try.
Finding reeds you like is important eventually, but it's much more important to learn to adjust them. Learn how to flatten the backs, and balance them. I would consider some rudimentary skill in adjusting reeds to be as important as learning to play. You can learn to flatten the backs even before you start playing.
I haven't played Vandoren Blue Box for decades but I still have bad memories. When I played them some were great, but they were very inconsistent. I got about 2 in a box of ten that worked, and several more that I could suffer through. I didn't know the first thing about adjusting them though. The clarinet version was better than the saxophone version.
Maybe someone will say that you should try a certain brand and stick to it for a while. I would agree about mouthpieces, but not reeds. They're so variable from one to another that being able to play reeds that respond differently is a good skill to have. Also having a few different choices to experiment with will help you to learn what is you, and what is the reed. It will also tell you what works for you. At first play the easiest ones, but as you get experience try to work towards playing 5 or 10 in rotation.
You can't go wrong with getting a Rovner ligature, but the stock metal one will work.
Invest in a nice swab, and a good reed holder. You can get more expensive reed cases, but a a couple "Reed Guards" are good to start with. Don't keep reeds in the plastic holders they come in.
- Matthew Simington
Post Edited (2021-09-05 10:57)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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