 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Halo1115
Date: 2014-09-05 05:04
So after trying around with brands, I really like the Vandoren V12's.
However, I seem to like to go up a size reed every few months or so. I'm considering now buying a strength 5 reed.
So what is the advantage/disadvantage to reed sizes?
I use a MASSIVE amount of air when I play because my lungs are strengthened, and I played a brass instrument that required a lot of air.
We also have a lot of high notes for our show.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-09-05 06:31
You choose the reed strength that gives you the best all around result. The combination of the best tone, flexibility, dynamics, range and comfort you can achieve. It also depends on the mouthpiece you're using. One player may need a #3 on the same mouthpiece someone else needs a # 5.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-09-05 07:14
I only throw out a word of caution to avoid the possibility of making clarinet too much work (mechanically speaking).
There is really no necessity to strive for (or even just do it because "you can") blowing for blowing's sake. The clarinet can be played at incredibly loud levels with medium closed mouthpieces, 3.5 strength reeds and less than your maximum effort of air production. In fact it is more desirable to do it this way since it is less physical effort which is more sustainable for long periods of practice, long gigs and the overall length of your career.
There could also be a tendency (along with blowing more than necessary) to engage more of your jaw muscles (clamping down on the reed/mouthpiece) rather than merely sealing around the mouthpiece (sorta like a rubber band) with the use of your cheek muscles and upper lip muscles.
As long as "clamping" is NOT what is happening, and you are using a fairly closed tip mouthpiece, a strength 5 reed may not be too excessive. Just keep in mind player/mouthpiece maker Brad Behn uses a mouthpiece that is less than 1mm open and strength 3.5 Vandoren V12s.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2014-09-05 17:31
which mouthpiece do you use?
how long do you keep reeds? how do you break them in? do you rotate them? something which started as 3.5 may be ~2.5-3 later. YMMV
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2014-09-05 17:54
Other responses have touched on the need to match a mouthpiece's resistance with the resistance (strength) of the reed played on it. One size size doesn't fit all. The strength you play most comfortably - best result (sound and response) in all registers and all dynamic levels is the best strength to use. The only way to find out if a V12 #5 is right for you and your mouthpiece is to buy several - normally a box of 10 - and try them. No amount of guessing from here will tell you whether you'll get a good result from a #5 (or any other strength) reed or not.
Your self-description as using "a MASSIVE amount of air" when you play sounds more like a misunderstanding of the function of air volume in producing and controlling the sound and response of a clarinet. I'll take your word for it that it was needed for the brass instrument you played. I don't know exactly what "strengthened" lungs are, since the lungs aren't muscles. I suppose you mean the abdominal muscles that force most of the air out of your lungs are strong. Strength in that area provides advantages in clarinet playing, but mostly in terms of the ability to control and regulate air flow, not the ability to apply brute force to the air column.
Whether very hard reeds will enhance or detract from your altissimo register is something you'll need to find by trying the reeds. Even if you can play louder and higher with a #5, you need to consider whether the resistance shortens your overall endurance. You need first of all to get through the show.
Karl
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