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Softest reeds available

Author: clarinetchick
Date: 2006-02-04 17:12

Okay...who out there knows which brand of b flat clarinet reed is the softest? Not all #1.5 's are created equal.

I am finding it difficult to purchase reeds that are less than #2. No, I do not wish to "carve" my own reeds. I'm not that much of a woodworker. :-)

Thanks in advance for the advice!

melissa
www.khafif.com

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Re: Softest reeds available

Author: ginny
Date: 2006-02-04 19:14

Go to a glass shop and get a 8" by 8" or 12" by 12" piece of thick glass, maybe with a beveled edge for safety.

Get some wet dry sand paper and sand the backside of a reed evenly. You will not qualify as a woodworker, but the reed will be softer.

I just did this on one of my slightly too hard reeds last night, ah it's sweet now.

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Re: Softest reeds available

Author: clarinetchick
Date: 2006-02-05 15:35

What brand reeds are you starting with?

When you use the sandpaper are you sanding wet or dry?

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Re: Softest reeds available

Author: ginny
Date: 2006-02-05 17:23

I don't use supersoft reeds, I use V-12s starting 3.5 and sanding down to about 3.25. I balance them on the front side a little as well. I believe any reed can be made lighter in this way.

I use wet dry paper because I try the reeds as I sand and rinse and retry until they improve or it's clear they suck (as opposed to blow as a good reed should) no matter what.

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