 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: FT
Date: 2002-02-07 20:02
Ok, I play the clarinet for about 1 1/2 and I have to buy reed # 4(Vandoren V12). Is this normal??? everybody in my band plays for like 3 or 4 years and they use # 1 1/2. Why is this????
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Author: FT
Date: 2002-02-07 20:02
Sorry, I meant "I play the clarinet for about 1 1/2 YEARS"
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2002-02-07 20:08
ive been playing many many many years and i use a 2.5 -3, becuz thats what works best on my set up. people just use what works whether its a 4 or a 1 1/2.
JL
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-02-07 20:14
FT, some might say it is happening to you because of Karma. I, however, suggest that it is your embouchure and your mouthpiece (and, to a smaller extent, you instrument) which cause you to prefer a number 4 reed. Please note that they are generally made all the way from 1 to 5. Somebody is using them. If you and your good teacher agree that #4 reeds work fine for you, there is nothing at all wrong with that.
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Author: Michael
Date: 2002-02-07 21:50
But you must remember, just because you play on a higher strength reed doesn't make you a better player! Although you very well may be. I know many people that are under this impression and playing on Vandoren 5's and can't hardly get a sound out but think they are wonderful because they play on a 5. Meanwhile, the rest of us are flying past them, although we are only playing on 3 or 3.5's.
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Author: Jacy
Date: 2002-02-07 23:18
I'm experiencing the same this as FT, to an extent--I play a V-12 4 on a 5RV whereas the other clarinettists in my grade (10) tend to prefer various stock mouthpieces with Rico 2s. They've all been playing for several years now, but they all seem shocked at the thought of using harder reeds, much less Vandorens. All is well when one sounds good with a reed/mp combo, but what if it's really obvious that they're not matching the reed to the mp properly and their tone, well, isn't all that great? Should I say something or just slip them a harder reed?
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Author: willie
Date: 2002-02-08 04:34
It depends also on the cut of the rails on your mouthpiece. Some are cut so as to utilize the harder reeds. Some the medium range and some the softer ones. Check out some of the mouthpiece charts.
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Author: Paul
Date: 2002-02-08 15:53
Yes, the mouthpiece has a great deal to do with the reed you use. I'm only a 2 on a Vandoren m/p but a 3 on a Blayman. I've only been playing for about 7 months. Gool luck! Paul
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-02-08 16:56
Many years ago "we" didn't realize that all mouthpieces were not the same. Many years ago "we" used to think that as you got better you automatically used a stiffer reed....or that "real men use stiff reeds". Try it you might like it.....a softer reed.
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Author: Chrissie
Date: 2002-02-09 04:14
The brand of reed itself makes some difference as well in my experience... I'll play a 4 Mitchell Lurie, but a 3.5 vandoren... just to stay comfortable. Just a li'l extra info for you.
Chrissie
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Author: Lindsey Ondrey
Date: 2002-02-09 17:46
I play on a V-12 #3. Until last year at coming to college I played on a Rico #3 :-P bleh. I went home to my HS last year and played w/ the pep band (alumni are always welcome for events like that and it kept me playing a bit over christmas break with a group which I had fun w/) and discovered that the director had just told the 1sts to no longer play the descant on the Star Spangled Banner--why? Because they couldn't keep good intonation and reach the high notes well. When I asked the 1st chair what she was playing on (reed wise) she said a Rico #2 1/2. There was here problem! The reeds were junk! I hadn't realized in HS how terrible the condition of the reeds were (and had gone through a reed every other rehersal because they were so terrible) but I do realize now how much better I am able to maintain good intonation, etc. because I am playing on a much better mouthpiece and reed. I can't blame my band director, really... he is a brass player and was just trying to stretch the budget as far as he could which I completely understand knowing the situation our band was in. I advised Gina and the other clarinet players at my HS to invest in good reeds (recommending Vandorens and a few other brands)-- their response-- aren't those expensive? yes, but what a difference in quality! And they last so much longer than those nasty ricos!
Moral of the story... best reed/ mpc combo you can come up with--stick with! Just because everyone else is playing on junk or a softer reed, doesn't mean you have to. If it works for you and you sound great--keep it up!
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Author: Sneakers
Date: 2002-02-10 04:57
FT - I am glad you posted again after that last thread on the inventor of the clarinet. Hope you keep in touch with us.
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