 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Melissa
Date: 2002-12-28 22:22
Hello, I just recieved a box of Vendoren clarinet reeds as a present and it is my frist time ever playing any vendoren reeds (I played Rico royal before this) and although they are the same strengh as my rico royals they are extremly hard to play the lower notes without them being to airy (but notes over the break seem to be fine) I really am very inexperienced and I have no clue what to do about this. I have read all over the net that I need to break them in and I have read a million different ways to do it but I am still confused. Please someone help me.
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Author: GBK
Date: 2002-12-28 22:36
Vandoren V-12's run about 1/4 strength harder than the equivalent Rico Royal reed.
Break in your reeds slowly, playing on them very briefly in the initial stages, until they have stabilized. Then, make any small adjustments as needed.
A search on this board (use the collective wisdom of the very experienced bulletin board members) will yield lots of good advice.
Also, read some of the reed related postings by Sherman Friedland (also on this site):
http://www.woodwind.org/clarinet/Friedland/index.html ...GBK
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Author: Benni
Date: 2002-12-29 00:34
If they are blue box Vandorens, they are about 1/4 to 1/2 strength harder than the V-12's, so if you're playing blue box Vandorens, they might be 1/2 to a full strength harder than the numerically equivalent Ricos!
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Author: Marcia
Date: 2002-12-29 03:25
And also, it is common to find in a single box the reeds will vary from "too hard" to "too soft", with a few being "just right". Did Goldilocks work for Vandoren? (-;
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Author: Vicky
Date: 2002-12-29 07:02
What I do is soak them in water for 10 mins the first day,and them play on them each for about five min. then the second day soak them for 5 mins and play on them for 10 mins. the third day soak them for 5 mins again, and then make your adjustments as needed.
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Author: Anonymous
Date: 2002-12-29 17:52
I'd stay on the Rico Royals until your embouchure is strong enough for the Vandoren's. Staying on the Vandoren's may encourage you to quit out of frustration. Vandoren's are very hard, stubborn reeds. Not just for us, but especially for a beginner. Wait a while. It won't hurt you, it will help you.
Happy New Year.
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Author: Melissa
Date: 2002-12-29 18:47
Thanks everyone! I really appreciate the advice, I'm going to try a half a step lower on the Vandoren's and if that dosent work I will just stick with my Rico Royals. See the only reason I went to the Vandorens is because my private teacher told me too, but she also stated I should move up to 3.5 : well I guess she was wrong about that one, and right now she is in Boston for holidays so I don't even have contact with her to get her advice on this, oh well I will be fine, thanks again everyone.
Melissa.
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Author: Mark Charette
Date: 2002-12-29 19:37
Melissa wrote:
>
> See the only
> reason I went to the Vandorens is because my private teacher
> told me too, but she also stated I should move up to 3.5 :
> well I guess she was wrong about that one,
Maybe not. I'm sure you'll work with her when she gets back. Your teacher has the opportunity to hear you and work with you; we don't have that opportunity here so we're all just guessing at your needs.
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Author: Anonymous
Date: 2002-12-30 15:36
It's a bad idea to soak reeds because they can warp. I did this to Vandorens, OVERNIGHT. The result: MANY SOAKED AND WARPED REEDS. AND very few good reeds. I'd just play on the reeds, this way:
First day: Play through 1 box and number the reeds.
Second day: Play through and listen to the reeds. Listen for thinness or thickness. Meaning full sound or weak sound.
Third day: Play throuh the box again. Eliminate any reeds that have a weak sound. If necessary open another box and repeat this cycle.
By doing this, I have had reeds last up to 3-4 months. And these reeds are Vandoren 4's.
Good luck and Happy New Year.
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