 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: heather
Date: 2002-01-22 23:44
I'm running out of ideas with clarinet reeds....I have played on Mitchell Laurie Premium 3 1/2s for years now, but they have been dissapointing. Recently I switched to Vandorens. Out of 10, about 8 of the reeds are very fuzzy sounding; some are extremely bad. I carefully run the reeds over sandpaper (220 grit), and that gets rid of the fuzziness, but sacrifices my tone. Instead of a dark sound, it gives me a bright, tinny tone. How can I have a clear sound without losing the richness? Also, how long should I initially soak my reeds? I have heard many different opinions on this....any ideas would be appreciated....thanks.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-01-22 23:59
Try a finer grade of sandpaper for more control, as 220 is too rough.
I usually work with 400 grit, as it takes off less at one time, and the adjustments are more more incremental...GBK
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Author: William
Date: 2002-01-23 00:09
In my opinion, sanding the backs of modern reeds is unnecessary and only takes away valuable support from the center of the reed. You describe the undesirable sound as "fuzzy" which suggests that your choice of strength may be too high or that your reed needs to be balanced to fit the particular contour of your mpc facing. My suggestion is--not knowing what tip opening you have--to try using VanDoren V-12s, 3.5 strength--a good "middle of the road" starting point. Expect to find only about two reeds per box of ten that will play well without adjustment. But for the others, if the sound is not resonant, try tipping it to the left on your mpc so that is just off center. Play some open Gs. Then tip it the other way (right) and try some more Gs. One way should improve the sound. Now comes the "tricky" part--you have to shave a little cane off the side (from about the middle of the cut to the tip) that sounds stuffier or worse. This will serve to "move" the heart of the reed from the strong side to the center where it belongs. For these balancing adjustments, I use a reed knife, but lots of clarinetists use reed rush or #600 sandpaper. Usually, my reeds sound worse when I tip them to the right (and best when tipped to the left) on my Kaspar mpc, so I have to take some cane off the right rail and "wing" of the reed to shift the heart to the center. Be careful not to take too much cane off at any one time and try to maintain the general contour of the original cut--don't produce obvious gouges or scrape marks, but rather a gentle sloping to the side from the center. BTW, when adjusting your reed, it should be placed on a flat surface such as a piece of thick glass--not kept on your mpc. There are many other ways to improve reeds that can be learned by reading Kalmen Opperman's book, "Handbook for Making and Adjusting Single Reeds." You will "wreck" a few reeds to begin with, but keep at it and soon your efforts will "play out" for you. A few one-on-one lessons with a good clarinet teacher would also clear up a lot of issues that are hard to visualize via cyberspace. Good Clarineting!!!!!!
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Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2002-01-23 01:37
I would suggest to use Alexander Classic. All the surface is diamond cut. No sanding necessary. Or sanding will jeopadize them. If you try it once, you will know the difference.
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2002-01-23 04:03
Did you take into account that Vandoren reeds are about 1/2 strength harder than Mitchell Lurie? If you were using #3 1/2, you'll now need to try #3 instead.
BTW, William, do you know where I can find a copy of Opperman's book? I lost mine several years ago, and it went out of print, at least for awhile. If you can let me know where I can find one, I'd be very grateful.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-01-23 04:19
Sometimes when one has reed problems, one should look elsewhere for relief. Have you tried other mouthpieces or had yours checked to see if it is still ok? Try a suction test on the upper half of the clarinet with a wet finger over the bottom hole. It should keep a suction for a while. Also, a loose register key tube can cause a leak. Good luck!!
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Author: jez
Date: 2002-01-23 12:04
I've posted these ideas before but never had any feedback.
My ways to avoid reed frustration are as follows;
Firstly;
On getting new reeds soak them for a few minutes in water then, holding the reed on a flat surface and, pushing hard, rub a finger repeatedly from the middle to the tip. This squeezes out the starchy stuff that normally ends up deposited on your mouthpiece & compresses the fibres. Both of these things, presumably happen in normal use, gradually and change the character of the reed. Then rub the reed up & down on the surface to make sure the back is really flat. Repeat the entire operation 2 or 3 times or until the starch (xyllum or something) has stopped.
Secondly;
Have more than 1 m.p. A reed can feel fine on 1 but awful on another. I've got 3 that I can use at the moment, so when I try new reeds I see which mp is best for each reed and stick to it.
Following these ideas I find I can use almost all of my reeds (ordinary Vandoren) and am always appalled to hear of people throwing most of them away. Perhaps they could throw them in my direction
Good luck
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Author: Aussie Nick
Date: 2002-01-23 12:27
This is a problem I think every clarinettist has to deal with and it will never go away entirely. Here is the link to a very helpful website that was posted here quite a while ago now. It helped me in many ways. Good luck.
http://members.tripod.com/~Jean_Johnson/reeds.html
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Author: Sandra F. H.
Date: 2002-01-23 14:49
Again...FYI read Daniel Bonade: "The Clarinetist's Compendium". Great reed information. I agree that 400 grit sandpaper, if you use sandpaper, is best. Reed rush only frustrates me, although I used it for several years. I utilize an oboe knife to work with reeds. Check for reed specs for you mouthpiece. If you reed doesn't fit your mouthpiece properly, your frustration will be greater. Good Luck! P.S. Save your old reeds for experimental "working" after reading the Compendium.
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Author: LynnB
Date: 2002-01-23 15:31
I just got a Reed Wizard for Christmas. And I gotta tell ya, it makes all the difference on my V12's.
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-01-23 17:12
You might also try a different brand of reed for a slightly new profile. I have been very pleased with Gonzalez reeds from Davie Cane. It is a thick blank reed.
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Author: Jim S.
Date: 2002-01-23 17:26
See the thread (later today) regarding David cane Co. with a pointer to their web site.
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Author: jcannon
Date: 2002-01-25 23:35
i started playing with my clarient reeds several years ago after tinkering with oboe reeds- I now trim a friends when she gets a new one- well worth the investment.
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