 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Julia
Date: 2002-06-17 01:44
Hello all--
I've been playing the clarinet for a while now--I just finished my second year in college--and reeds have neer been that much of deal for me.
I mean I buy a box of reeds (regular vandoren 4) and I can always play them
right out of the box--sometimes one won't sound great, but I'll just put it back and try
again on a different day and its fine. As far as keeping them, I just keep them in the
plastic sleeve thing that they come in in the box. I don't know, it doesn't seem to be a
problem.....it's just that someone mentioned it to me and its got me wondering now. I there something specific to look for? are those cases generally ok for keeping reeds?
Most importantly, could someone please take the time to explain why people store their reeds in a certain way and do various things to them?...and how much of an impact this actually has?
Just for the record: I play on regular vandoren 4's, a vandoren B46 mouthpiece, and a rovner ligature. (the 5V one)
Thanks for all of your evaluations/or advice or whatever!!
Julia
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-17 12:18
Julia, I guess you are one of the lucky ones. Maybe the stiffer reeds like 4s don't suffer tip waviness like the softer ones. "If it works, do it."
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Author: John Thomas
Date: 2002-06-18 02:12
reed care is vital in producing a dark warm clarinet sound!
here is a wonderful method that my teacher uses along with many professionals
Day 1
1. Buy 5 or so reeds at a time.
2. Soak reeds in warmish water for 5 minutes
3 Do not play on these reeds; you will kill them
4. Get a piece of plexiglass(or a really flat surface; I use a cd case)with your thumb towards the tip to completely flatten it out
5. Let the reeds dry overnite
Day2
1. Play on reeds for a few minutes at a time. Do not play on these reeds for an extended period of time.
*Always rotate your reeds; they'll last longer
Check for Balanced reeds-these reeds have a perfect curve that can be seen when placed close to lighting. Play on these reeds at a performance because they are so flawless
Day 3
Play each reed a little longer
after a few more days of play they should be broken in
*I give credit to my teacher for this valuable piece of information
This sure seems like a lot of effort in reeds compared to simply taking them out the box and go but the results are astonishing!
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Author: Ilkka
Date: 2002-06-18 04:56
Bob, I agree. Stiffer reeds, like 2½, 3, 3½, 4 are better quality of cane. Because all reeds (within same brand) are of same thickness, the stiffness comes from the quality of wood. The inside property (I dont know the word in english) of the material of about #3 reed is aligned, parallel. #2 and lower, cane is mixed and goes here and there. They are loose, and that funny sorting-machine in the factory stamps #1 or #2 on them. Reeds of #5 I have never seen, must be something wrong with them.
Ilkka's thesis: If You are young, beginner or otherwise "sweet-lips", You get better reeds than #1 or #2, when You take #3 or so, and sand it thinner. It comes softer, but it is still aligned and parallel cane. It responses better, and lasts longer. The overall dimensions of reed, and the mouthpiece, and whole clarinet, are from the beginning designed for the average reed. Ilkka's quide for life: Stick to the average.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-18 15:06
Ilkka..don't know about the "aligned parallel" idea. My experience from viewing reeds is that the "tubes" on all reeds appear to be so aligned. I'm inclined to think it's got something to do with the chemical/botanical composition of the reed...eg.why different reeds have different stiffnesses. I have yet to master the precise art of converting a #3 to a #2.5 via thinning procedures. Hmm..on the "sweet lips" thing!
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Author: Ilkka
Date: 2002-06-19 06:35
"Tubes"?? Lets figure... Zoom the tubes to diameter of your arm. So a reed is a collection of tubes. They are slightly welded together. And the reed is size like a station wagon chevy. If the tubes are straight, and properly welded, the reed is good. If tubes are bended some more, some less, and the smith had monday and hangover, the wagon is not very nice looking. Ilkka's warning for life: Dont swallow your front wheels.
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-06-19 14:40
Yeh,I get the picture Ilkka but I haven't seen a chevy station wagon in ages..haha. Smithy pressure welding would certainly result in less than soda straw alignment. Afraid I don't get the front wheels warning,however. BTW..I don't think I could get any sound from vd 4s if I used an air compressor
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