 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: tedm
Date: 2008-04-23 04:17
Can anyone tell from this clip if the #3 reed which the teacher is asking my daughter to use is too high a #?
She feels it is OK, but I think a 2 1/2 is much better for her at this stage.
Thanks for any comments or suggestions.
http://www.tedm.com/mp3s/megclarinet20080422.mp3
2 Artley 17S & 1 Buffet B12 Crampon
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Author: davidsampson
Date: 2008-04-23 04:29
Thats a somewhat tricky question. Since she is a beginner, its kind of hard to tell whether its the reed or not, but you should try a 2 1/2 just to see. As I recall, I moved to 3's at the end of my first school year of clarinet, so after perhaps 7-8 months of playing, but its different for everyone. Try a 2.5 and see, reeds are fairly cheap.
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-04-23 05:09
i start beginners on #3.0's
but, and its a big BUT..
it depends on what type of mouthpiece you use.
i'm obviously biased, but, i'd tend to trust the teacher's judgement...
is this a band teacher, or a private teacher?
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: bstutsman
Date: 2008-04-23 08:51
It would help to know the mouthpiece brand and model as well as the brand of the reeds.
Strength numbers vary between reed brands. Also, the more open the mouthpiece, the softer the reed.
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Author: JessKateDD
Date: 2008-04-23 10:07
To answer your question - my students usually start on 2.5 Vandorens and a stock Vandoren mouthpiece (5RV lyres are pretty common in these parts for beginners). After about six months, they should be on 3s. After a year or two, I tend to have them on 3.5s and a professional mouthpiece. So the short answer from me - a 3 is not too hard for a one year student. Any time there is an equipment change, there is a period of adjustment. Going to a harder reed requires more air support and lip strength - in the short run the student will sound a bit "stuffy".
Unfortunately, the fact that you come here in the first place with an opinion on reed strength and a recording to support your opinion bothers me. My advice - find a lesson teacher with a proven track record of getting excellent results, then let him or her teach.
Speaking as a lesson teacher - I abhor backseat drivers. Parents can be a huge asset to the lesson teacher by paying attention in lessons and making sure the student is practicing what has been taught. But parents who continually second guess my teaching, and who think they have some sort of veto power over me, are told before long that they should seek another teacher.
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Author: redwine
Date: 2008-04-23 11:37
Hello,
The facing of a mouthpiece (and to an extent, the interior as well), coupled with a player's embouchure determines the appropriate strength of a reed for a given mouthpiece, not their age or relative inexperience. A young player's muscles might not be ready for the appropriate strength, but they will develop very quickly. I've found the best results for beginners are obtained by using a medium close facing, with a harder reed.
Ben Redwine, DMA
owner, RJ Music Group
Assistant Professor, The Catholic University of America
Selmer Paris artist
www.rjmusicgroup.com
www.redwinejazz.com
www.reedwizard.com
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-04-23 12:07
I also have many young students (within the first six months) using strength 3 reeds.
But I would add that my students use a great deal more air than what I heard in that recording. Can you explain if the disjointedness of the playing is:
1. her searching for the right notes
2. having not been explained legato
3. needing to breath frequently to make the instrument speak.
If all I have is that recording to make a decision I would say the reed is too hard (and I almost never err on that side!) and/or some basic concepts need to be addressed.
Even on a 2.5 I have all students playing "high" C and some altissimo G.
James
Gnothi Seauton
Post Edited (2008-04-23 15:07)
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