 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Bb
Date: 2002-04-15 01:34
OK, I use a vandoren V12, # 4 1/2, but i need a 5. I only play for 1 1/2,(my mp's a vandoren M13) (The stregth's rising so fast!!!) Anyways, What do I do if I'm playing 5 1/2 and I need a stronger one????? Is the such thing a a number 6 reed???
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Author: Joe O'Kelly
Date: 2002-04-15 01:37
I didn't think there was a such thing as a number 5 1/2. I remember in middle school playing #5s and having a hard time finding them. I eventually went back to softer strengths and found out it was better.
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Author: John
Date: 2002-04-15 01:46
hehe, and then the metal workshop. metal reeds...how crazy and stupid that must be...but it will never be...because it's crazy and stupid.
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2002-04-15 01:55
Have you tried taking off some of the tip on your current reeds? Try relatively fine sand paper (it takes off somewhat slowly so you can control better). In the past, I have also used emery boards. Also reed trimmers and reed rush work. Good luck.
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Author: Brian B
Date: 2002-04-15 02:58
slightly off-topic, but i bought a vintage metal alto sax reed off of ebay last fall, and it plays remarkably well.
>hehe, and then the metal workshop. metal reeds...how crazy and stupid that must be...but it
> will never be...because it's crazy and stupid.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-04-15 03:01
Well, to be honest, I think the wood in the stronger Vandoren's is of such a stiff cane that i find it doubtful that you would EVER neer harder. If so, rotate the reed so that the thick part is at the top.
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Author: arnold
Date: 2002-04-15 03:21
What??? Did you say metal reed??
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-04-15 03:21
Sounds like you've got an inappropriate mouthpiece, or you have your teeth on the reed.
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Author: John Noecker
Date: 2002-04-15 03:45
Just wondering... have you ever considered tying a small tree to your mouthpiece? Heh, actually, I haven't a clue what you should do after 5. Vandoran 3's are more than hard enough for me. Actually, a Vandoran 2.5 or so is good for me. I suppose, though, that if I ever would get to harder than a 5.5, I would probably just use a stick :P. Either that, or I'd just revert back to Euphonium where I don't need a reed. I find that any strength lips seems to work well with Euphonium, and I don't need to modify them in any way to get them to play. But, of course, I wouldn't condone Euphonium over clarinet! Oh well, I'm tired, and I find the whole tree thing to be humorous. I'm sure no one will mind. Sorry if I've insulted anyone with my whole euphonium thing. As primarily a euphonium player, I obviously find it a lot easier than the clarinet in some respects, and I'm not really used to the whole reed thing yet. I just pick up whatever reed I find first and play it. I actually have everything from 1.5's to 3.5's (all Ricos) in my case. Flavoreeds and just regular. Most of them are now Rico 3 regular reeds, but there are a few other ones mingled in. Doesn't really matter to me. As I said, I play whatever I take out. Of course, my playing NEVER sounds good, so it doesn't matter. For you, though, I don't have any idea what I'd reccomend, nor do I have any point in writing this other than it's late and I'm bored and have nothing to do.
Well, there's my rant for the night, I suppose,
John
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Author: Joe O'Kelly
Date: 2002-04-15 04:01
I still never heard of a #5 1/2. I always thougt the range was #1 - #5 with ones hardly ever used and 5s rarely used. I had to special order my fives when I played on them. I don't know how anyone plays on fives (and I used to play on them.) I often find many of Vandoren's #3.5 reeds too strong, but that's my oppinion.
Well, to each his/her own. Whatever works best. Is that why you play on these ultra thick reeds or are you going by the misconseption that the harder the reed the better the player? I shave down Vandoren v12 3.5 and I am considered a good player. I remeber reading here of a pro who used #1 reeds.
What comes next you ask. If you need stronger reeds buy reed blanks and make your own. I have been dabbling with reed making an have had some succesfull results.
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Author: Wes
Date: 2002-04-15 04:13
Amen on trying a more open mouthpiece. Or else, try a popsicle stick. Perhaps a teacher can help. Good luck.
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Author: Mark M
Date: 2002-04-15 04:23
I was going to see what happened after my lumber store post. Actually, Mark C. has it right. Mouthpiece with bigger tip opening. Order some for trial. Something will work.
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Author: Carol
Date: 2002-04-15 04:44
How about a popsicle stick?
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Author: Joe O'Kelly
Date: 2002-04-15 05:49
I heard once of a "saxophone player" who broke his last reed so he tood a popcicle stick, widdled it down and used it as a reed.
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Author: Brad
Date: 2002-04-15 06:43
Yeah..
the mouthpiece change sounds better. M13 is a kinda closed mouthpiece isn't it? So then harder reeds are easier to play comparatively to open mouthpieces. Maybe you should try a medium open or open mouthpiece. I'm sure you already know this, but 5RV lyre is a medium open and B45 is an open mp. Good luck!! 5 sounds really hard, how do you get a good tone on it in the ppp range?
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Author: Gordon (NZ)
Date: 2002-04-15 11:22
I would expect a 5 to highly accentuate fuzziness in some notes such as side Eb/Bb, F#, and C#/G#.
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Author: Ed
Date: 2002-04-15 13:12
Wait a minute! A lot of people are saying that the mouthpiece is too close. This mouthpiece is played by many people in professional situations. There are also many using a tip opening in this range that are being played by a great number of players out there. Whenever I find that someone is having some type of unique problem with somewhat standard eqipment, I usually think that the player needs to assess what they are doing, as it can often be an issue that is not equipment based. Often the player has gotten off by doing something strange in their own embouchure or playing.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-04-15 13:20
Ed,
No one in any professional situation that I know of is using a 5 1/2 on an M13, so, yes, something is probably slightly out of whack here.
And as someone else has so rightly pointed out, diagnosing embouchure problems via the Internet is well nigh impossible, especially for extreme cases such as this.
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Author: graham
Date: 2002-04-15 15:42
M 13 opening is c.1 mm (long lay), which is wider than used by the Austrians. I have one which I used for a short period and 3 1/2 is fine, with 4 as upper limit. Unless the mouthpiece is a dud, it is not the culprit.
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Author: John
Date: 2002-04-15 18:48
"slightly off-topic, but i bought a vintage metal alto sax reed off of ebay last fall, and it plays remarkably well."
cool...i hadn't even heard of metal reeds before
:)
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Author: Eoin
Date: 2002-04-15 19:59
Maybe you should learn how to play with softer reeds like the rest of us. They give a much better sound.
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Author: Mindy
Date: 2002-04-15 20:18
I have also not heard of a reed size 5 1/2! I use Vandoren Black Master #5 which are good for me. They are harder than V12's. Maybe you can try Black Masters.....? I don't know........
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Author: ken
Date: 2002-04-16 02:06
I've heard/seen 5 1/2s a number of years back, like in the 80s that far back. I believe the brand was Mitchell Laurie but I'm not positive. Personally, I think this Bozo is pulling everybody's leg.
v/r
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Author: diz
Date: 2002-04-16 02:25
Gordon - I hear Ms Clarke is a wonderful art dealer? You're Prime Ministers have such talent!
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-04-16 05:31
Melanie reported: "In the past, I have also used emery boards."
It took me a bit to realize this meant it was used to adjust the reed. At fiorst, I could envision lining up that emery board right on the mouthpiece.... Well, why not? We've had three votes for Popsicle sticks.
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Author: Melanie
Date: 2002-04-16 06:51
LOL, Sorry about that. I guess I should be more clear, but I must admit I got a good laugh out of that one.
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Author: garov
Date: 2002-04-16 06:52
Your problem isn't your reeds, but your mouthpiece. You have to try some other solutions to the combination mouthpiece/reeds.
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Author: L. Omar Henderson
Date: 2002-04-16 13:20
I have been doing some reed enhancement studies (last longer) with chemical treatments of natural cane reeds. Some of these reeds have come out very hard after treatment. Some of the treatments will add an additional 4 units to the strength so - anyone that wants a 5 to become a 9 - I can help!
The Doctor
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Author: David Spiegelthal
Date: 2002-04-16 14:52
Mitchell Lurie reeds, strength for strength, run much softer than most other brands. A ML 5-1/2 is about equivalent to a Vandoren 4. I frequently play on ML 5-1/2s and I don't have 'jaws of steel', particularly.
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Author: Keil
Date: 2002-04-16 17:28
It sounds to me that this individual might be served best if he got his embouchure "checked- out". I own an M13 and find that it doesn't play as well with reeds harder than 4.5's. Maybe you should try doubling lipping, sounds like you might be pinching as oppose to letting the mouthpiece "float" on your lips which act as a cushion. I garauntee that after trying to double lip for a while you'll find out exactly where the "weakest link" is in all of this. I find it extremely hard to believe that you're playing on a 5.5 to me it sounds like an overcompensation for lack of embouchure control. I can only imagine how restricted your sound is. If i recall correctly aren't you one of the many ambitious high school students? if not high school than was it middle school?
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Author: Julie
Date: 2002-04-17 03:26
they make 5 1/2's? and youre using a vandoren? Vandorens were always too hard for me when I tried a couple years back ( i think i was using 3's then)
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Author: Julie
Date: 2002-04-17 03:26
they make 5 1/2's? and youre using a vandoren? Vandorens were always too hard for me when I tried a couple years back ( i think i was using 3's then)
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Author: Chris Hill
Date: 2002-04-26 04:58
I think we've all misread the original post. He didn't say he needed something harder than a #5 1/2, he asked what would happen if he did. I'd say, don't worry, you won't need anything harder than that on an M13. In fact, a #5 is a bit too stiff for most people on an M13 unless you are taking a fair amount of wood off of it.
Chris
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Author: David dow Symphony NB
Date: 2002-05-01 03:23
Take some of the tip off the mouthpiece or consult with a teacher on possible problems. Can you play Double high C?
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