 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Rapidcif
Date: 2009-09-30 20:11
Hello. My name is Jimmy. I use Vandoren 3.5 Reeds. AND I NEED THE LOWDOWN ON HOW TO BREAK THEM PROPERLY. I dont have a private teacher so usually what happens is i suck on them alot and they eventually work. But i have a few reeds and it's a been a while and they still havent broke. I know there was this one night i accidently dropped them in water(4 of them) and decided to let them soak there for a few min, but turns out i forgot about them, and they soaked for the whole night. Could this be a factor? Thank you everybody.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2009-09-30 21:05
To break reeds, just push the thin end against any nearby music stand or wall. ![[whoa]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie10.gif)
To break them IN is another matter entirely!
If you do a search here on breaking in reeds, you will find plenty of discussions.
Jeff
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Author: marcia
Date: 2009-09-30 21:56
"To break reeds, just push the thin end against any nearby music stand or wall."
Doing that with considerable force can be very satisfying. ![[happy]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley12.gif)
And tables work well too.
Marcia
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2009-09-30 21:58
marcia wrote:
> Doing that with considerable force can be very satisfying.
> And tables work well too.
Or eyes of conductors.
(don't try this at home, or during rehearsal, or any other time)
--
Ben
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-09-30 22:04
I think you worded this wrong, breaking reeds is easy. The wall test usually works fine, you know, press it hard against the wall, if it breaks it was not a good reed.
OK, now that we got the jokes out. Read my website and look at the reed page, you will find my ideas about breaking in reads as well as adjusting them and more. You're allowed to look at other pages too. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: William
Date: 2009-09-30 22:11
"To break reeds, just push the thin end against any nearby music stand or wall."
Known formally (by me, that is) as the "Wahl Test" for questional reeds. Back in my cane days, I often used this method for determining if a RSO (reed shaped object, often labeled V12) was worth preservation and salvage and the Wahl test never failed to satisfy my uncertainty and feelings. BTW, I recently employed that test for a Forestone reed that had become slightly chipped, and am happy to report that it was equally effective. May also work for Legere's.............
Now, for breakin IN, I was always a "saliva only, play two minutes, let dry on glass for two days, resalivate and play for five minutes, let dry for two more days and finally resalivate, play test and balance as needed" kind of guy. Soaking in water never really worked well for me. With proper salivation, cane seemed to last longer and not dry out during intermitant playing situations.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2009-09-30 23:42
Jokes aside.
To the OP,
Oversoaking reeds for long periods can sometimes ruin them. This might be your problem.
Also, some reeds are just bad from day 1 and they will never play well. If you have chronic reed problems you should think about different brands/models/strengths than what you use now.
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2009-10-01 05:24
If you don't have success breaking in reeds just try the other approach......buy #3 V12 and use a reed clipper. Many clarinetists would shutter at this but try it. If you think breaking in reeds means the strength will be much lighter after a break in period you might be breaking in a reed for months or years. Breaking in a reed means that you get it to a point where it is stable....not changing from day to day. If you want to adjust strength then buy the ATG system. edit....perhaps I meant "shudder".
Freelance woodwind performer
Post Edited (2009-10-01 17:58)
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