The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

Beginner mouthpiece/reeds

Author: Musikat
Date: 2017-05-27 05:10

My son has only been playing since September and I have worked with him on good embouchure, breathing, posture and technique. Overall he does quite well but we have been struggling with reeds.

He started on good old Rico 2 for the first month or so. Then I tried him on both Rico Royal 2.5 and Vandoren Blue box 2. He plays a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece on a Yamaha 250 or its predecessor (I bought the instrument used, including the mouthpiece). The Rico Royal 2.5 seems too hard and fuzzy sounding and the Vandorens are often too hard and airy sounding, but when he gets a good one, he has a really nice tone, so we have been sticking with those. I have even tried sanding them, using the ATG to make them a little softer, but there are still more than don't play well than do (Typical Vandoren).

I'm thinking of trying a new mouthpiece for him to see if that helps. I did let him try my old Rick Sayre, but that didn't help a lot and even if he did I am not sending him to elementary school with it!

Separately, I ordered the new Aria reeds to try for myself (4's) and so far I like them a lot! They are as consistent as others have said. All 10 were playable and only two seemed like they might not work out (too soft). They do run softer than Vandorens, but mostly they seem overall much easier to play.

What would you think about me ordering the beginner Behn Overture mouthpiece and Aria 3's for my son? Since they probably are equivalent to a 2.5 in Vandoren would those be too hard strength-wise for that mouthpiece or a relative beginner? At the $25 introductory price the Arias are about the same as Vandorens. Another option would be to just try Vandoren V12 2.5s (the softest strength in that design, but they typically play softer than blue box).

What would you suggest I try next for him?

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics