 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sang1Lee
Date: 2008-06-02 21:13
how many of you use reed clippers?
i recently got one
and i'm not sure, but, i Think it's not even(either that or i'm not lining it too well)
here are some pictures..
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Author: GBK
Date: 2008-06-02 21:48
Line it up a bit higher on the left side of the reed and see if that helps ...GBK
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Author: Liam Murphy
Date: 2008-06-02 23:28
Sang1Lee,
My reed clipper would seem to share the same dysfunction as yours does. I have a ton of reeds that are in a state only worthy of scientific experimentation (in most cases, this is practice reed clipping) and no matter how carefully I line the reed up, or compensate for misaligned clipping blade(?) (terminology), the reed just will not clip evenly.
I bought a Cordier reed clipper, as I heard them to be a respected brand. Ken Shaw has posted a clipper "manual" here on the BBoard - it may help in case you have problems that I do not:
http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/read.html?f=1&i=231892&t=231852
I never use the clipper now - this is not to say that gratuitous reed clipping is not fun : )
Sorry to be the bearer of bad news.
Yours sincerely,
Liam
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Author: Ryder
Date: 2008-06-02 23:55
i have the same problem, only worse. Mine clips a huge chunk of the right. It rounds the edges a little to musch for my mp. It doesn't affect the sound, but I don't feel right playing an off reed. mabey its a little OCD. I need to buy another one. although it does help, i rarely use it now.
mabey i'll just buy an ATG system, and leave the clippers till i start making my own reeds.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-06-03 00:32
I have 3 Cordiers, for sop. Bb, Eb alto cl and sax, and Bb bass cl and tenor sax. With careful reed orientation, clipping wet reeds to slightly harden them is quite succesful. Experiment, Luck, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-03 01:17
You should always try them out on several old reeds when you get it and if they don't clip right you should send it back for a replacement. Everyone isn't perfect.
ESP, www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2008-06-03 02:23
As far as the Cordier is concerned I orient the reed so that the blade to reed configuration is at a right angle and centered. To say the least, the reed looks totally whacky as far as how it lines up on the rest of the gizmo.
I have yet to see a Cordier that is much better.
As for the curvature (which seems rounder than most mouthpieces) this IS the main problem once you've found your sweet spot.
The Vandoren clipper (more expensive....and even more odd, if they are still built the same way as mine circa 1985) have a little less curvature but I always wind up going back to the Cordier.
And lastly, you should always gently sand the tip down in thicknes ever so slightly because what you have done in essence by forshortening a reed is increasing the tip thickness (which is bad) when all you REALLY want to do is get the tip closer to the heart.
..............Paul Aviles
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Author: Gary Foss
Date: 2008-06-03 04:44
Most players I know don't clip their reeds, but I find it very helpful from time to time. The difficulty lies in finding an acceptable cutting template. I have tried various styles of clippers and order a new one every couple of years to see if its better than what I have. I find its better to clip the reed dry, which means waiting after finding a canidate to clip, so a good system of reed storage is essential to ensure clipping the right one.
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Author: rtmyth
Date: 2008-06-03 15:10
All badly designed, and getting worse, in my experience. An Elton, bought about 70 years ago, was better than any since.
richard smith
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-06-03 15:28
I've had the same Bb and bass clarinet, tenor sax, Cordier reed clippers for well over 40 years now, they both still work great. I usually clip just about every reed I ever use at some point, not always successful of course. In many case, very successfully. I do taper them first just a slight bit as Paul suggests, an excellent idea that I encourage my students to do. I don't agree with clipping a reed dry because there's more chance of splintering. I know many players that use one and all the players in the BSO use a reed clipper. As I said in a prior post, just make sure it clips correctly, if not send it back. I used to have a Eb clipper that always left a small piece in the left corner and I had to use a fingernail clipper to take it off. Fortunately a student borrowed it many many years ago and I never got it back. I should have exchanged it when I first got it but I was young and foolish back then. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457
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Author: Daniel Frazelle
Date: 2008-06-03 17:57
I've had reed clippers for years but never used them much on commercial reeds. Because you are clipping them back and making the tips thicker, this just never worked. Sanding the tip area down a little was also not a viable option. When I tried this, inevitably the danger of sanding directly on the tip led to ruining the precision cut of the tip. Even if I had been able to work the tip correctly, the side rails would have been out of proportion to the middle of the reed.
Reed clippers are essential, however, for making your own reeds. Fine tuning the reed's resistance by clipping is simple and effective. The Cordier is really the best one I've used, but you should use it the way David describes above. If you tear off the carriage and don't bother with the screw, you can hold it in place and fine-tune the amount you're clipping off. You can take off the tiniest amounts this way, giving you more control.
The tip shape with too much curvature still bothers me but it's the best available option. Also, if you try out a number of Cordiers, you can find one with a proper, symetrical curve. They're inconsistent, but good ones can be found.
Post Edited (2008-06-03 17:59)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2008-06-03 18:40
Here's a way to tell if the reed is going to improve without probably having to rebalance - when you clip and the clipper goes through the reed like butter, the reed will probably play better and not need much if any work. If you feel the clipper "bite" (the reed cut gives the cutter resistance) you are taking off a lot and will probably need to rebalance the reed.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2008-06-03 23:02
Suggest with Cordier clipper you advance the reed a little more than you want to remove and inspect the overhang to ensure it is centralised and symetrical, then back off gently to the desired amount (very little) this ensures that all the free play in the mechanism is taken up before you make the cut. Then having made the cut but before releasing the lever back off the reed a little more to prevent it catching and splitting on the rebound.
My very old Cordier seems to match Mouthpiece curves pretty well but my mid-80's Vandoren matches even better, and the cutting action is much cleaner than a Cordier (i.e. cutting onto a plastic anvil rather than the shear-cut Cordier action).
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2008-06-04 15:10
Hi BB, Yes, as I said above, I have all three, sop, alto, bass which are satisfactory for my "semi-pro" needs. Playing my alto cl in comm band, using alto sax reeds, I've had recent experience with accurate reed placement, and do much like the fine description by N S, just above. I also only cut wet/damp reeds, yes, perhaps several "small" cuts, and yes to tip and back sanding. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: Malcolm Martland
Date: 2008-06-04 15:23
When I was at school (1960's) I was told you could sandwich a reed between 2 old UK pennies and use a sharp knife or scalpel blade to cut a reasonable edge. I never tried it but someone out there must have?
My reed cutter is Italian - Pisoni. Its OK but nothing special and tends to leave a whisker of wood sticking up at one side. I tend to think that unless you are a habitual reed tweaker its best to find a new one as soon as possible after you've gone down the reed cutting path - but they can just rescue you if you've just got about a minute between numbers and the reed has really gone too cloggy.
But why are reeds always at their best just before they give up - and why do they give up when you've got about 20 minutes and a big solo to go - and no time to change the reed? ![[yeah]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley17.gif)
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2008-06-04 16:36
Hi,
There are a couple of really great ideas above.
1. Blumberg: use the thumb to hold the reed and the clip like butter...
2. Smale: the whole approach is exactly what I do and I have found I very effective
A reed clipper is really a great accessory to have and I use them with all my single reed instruments. But as Bonade was reputed to have said "take off just a hair's breadth."
HRL
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