 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: bob gardner
Date: 2002-09-13 18:02
we have had discussion upon discussion about the number of bad reeds in a box etc etc etc.
I just wondering what or how you classify a bad reed?
Is it one that you get nothing from?
is it one that doesn't play as good as a last one or what?
have a good day with a good reed
bob
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Author: Bob
Date: 2002-09-13 18:45
Bob: I consider a bad reed as one with an obvious defect or that I can't get to respond "properly" with a reasonable amount of preparation. "Properly" means a response similar to a reed that I am already satisfied with.
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Author: Joe Garza
Date: 2002-09-13 19:21
I'm inclined to agree with Bob (reply, not post, Bob) about a "bad reed". I've normally classified bad reeds as to those I simply cannont play on no matter how much adjusting or "tweaking" I've done to it.
As for good reeds, those also are in a world of their own for me. I know many people who say a good reed is such because they can pull it out of a box, brand new, and play through a rehearsal with it. For me, however, I find a good reed is one that I can adjust to fit my mouthpiece and playing specifications so that I can play on it for weeks, even months. Case in point: I just received my box of Gonzalez FOF reeds and I have never been more impressed! All ten reeds (I ordered 4.75, which I've found to be a little too hard initially) were of nearly the same consistency. I have a clear idea, after working with a couple with my lesson teacher, how to go about making them work for me, and ultimately turn what many would call a "bad box" into a box that could last me two semesters if treated right.
Joe
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Author: William
Date: 2002-09-13 20:39
Using my Reed Wizard and knife, I seldom get a "bad" reed, one which just doesn't any flexability and focus. I firmly believe, also, that (as William Stubbin's always said) one should "Play the reed--don't let the reed play you." Bad reeds just do not play, simple as that.
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Author: RA
Date: 2002-09-13 21:21
Well not that I am moving up very shortly as I buy new reeds from our local music store, I have been playing on Rico's since I was a beginning student. I am now late intermediate/beginning advance and am on my last rico size 3 1/2. I plan on either playing Mitchell Lurie's or Van Doren Black Masters sz 4, like I would play on a 3 1/2. Ihave been advised by my former teacher to step up from Rico's. Any advice from those who have been playing much longer than I?
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Author: Nick
Date: 2002-09-13 23:57
I haven't been playing for too long, but I have noticed that Mitchell Luries (I use 3.5) are initially a lot easier to get a sound out of than Vandorens. I've played Vandoren 2 and 2.5, and it's just been utter hell for me to get a sound out if it without madly intensive playing. The occasional good right-out-of-the-box Vandorens are real treasures to me, though, and I take extra special care of those.
I also like the Novapaks that come with Mitchell Luries a lot better than those open ended slip cases that come with the Vandorens.
One thing I would suggest to anyone who wants to explore new reeds is to just go to the music store and buy one reed from a few different packs. This is how I found out about Mitchell Luries, and now I use those almost exclusively!
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Author: JackOrion
Date: 2002-09-14 01:31
RA, if your coming from a Rico 3 1/2, I think you'll find the Black Master 4 to be the wrong match for your mouthpiece. The Black Master reeds are made for the German market and can be quite stiff. Rico's are guaged light. That is a Rico 3 1/2 might seem like a light 3 regular Vandoren or even a 2 1/2. It basicly boils down to your mouthpiece facing and the two reeds you have mentioned in your post are worlds apart.
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Author: Just me
Date: 2002-09-14 01:48
The more advanced you get and the more fussy you get about your sound and articulation the less good reeds you find. A good reed is one that has a decent core in the sound, esp. on the throat tones. If a reed has a good center core there is a chance you can break it in and adjust it to your liking. If a reed is too thin, to buzzy or dead sounding it is probably not a good piece of cane. Don't wait to find the perfect reed, you have a long wait. Break them in over a few days, learn to make some adjustment and rotate your reeds. Don't practise on you "good reeds" for more then 10-15 minutes at a time. Learn to play on your practise reeds. Learn to play the reed don't let the reed play you. Just me
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Author: Carl L
Date: 2002-09-16 18:02
Bob- is it possble to have reeds that are too "aged"? I dug up a boxful of my old clarinet reeds from the early 80s. Are these salvagable- or do reeds "over-age"?
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Author: JMcAulay
Date: 2002-09-16 19:44
Carl: I play on some that are older than that. They work fine. Try some.
Distinguishing a bad reed from a good one is pure simplicity to me. I moisten the reed, put it on the mouthpiece, try playing on it, and if I suddenly exclaim, "Geez, that's a *bad* reed!" well, it's a bad reed. And I get even more excited when a good one shows up. Rare events can be very exciting.
RA: Vandoren Black Masters and White Masters are made for the German/Austrian style mouthpieces and are thus narrower than the reeds you have been using. They may not work at all well with your MP, regardless of their strength.
Regards,
John
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