 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kimber
Date: 2010-01-05 23:17
Hi. I am an adult player learning clarinet to be able to double better in community productions. I have been practicing in short sessions for one week, using the Etheridge books for learning fingers and technique. There is a two month wait for formal lessons, so I am asking for suggestions and advice to get me through until those can start. My question is...from many posts here, I understand I need to rotate reeds to break them in as well as determine the correct strength for me to be using. Currrently I have two 2.5 reeds that the music store suggested for me. What is the best way to determine what reed strength is best for me, as well as how do I know when reeds are broken in? Obviously, my note success and pitch are all over the place right now (so I know it's more me than any reed faults.) Should I just get a couple in each strength and see what they sound/feel like? I am coming from a well developed oboe embouchure - which has transitioned me nicely to a double lip, chin low (no strawberry) clarinet embouchure. Thanks for any tips.
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2010-01-05 23:20
Reed strength is dependent on the mouthpiece you are using. Which one fo you have?
Welcome to the clarinet world!
Jeff
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-01-06 00:00
As an oboist you have a fairly clear idea of what a responsive reed feels like. Your best bet is to try more than one strength. What you're looking for is a reed that vibrates well in all registers, not just the chalumeau. Look for a strength that lets you produce notes above G5 (just above the staff) without straining but still sounds clear in the lower chalumeau. You shouldn't need more pressure on the reed to make it play than you would use on an oboe reed. Too soft or too hard a reed will make you use more pressure, in the first case to maintain control and in the second to get a response at all.
As Jeff suggested, saying what mouthpiece you're using might get a more specific response about a reasonable starting point. But just as not all medium-hard oboe reeds play the same way, not all #3-1/2 Vandoren V12s play identically, either, so you'll need to buy more than one or two - buying them by the box, despite being more expensive at first, is a more accurate way to judge strength once you've got an idea of where to start.
Karl
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Author: kdk
Date: 2010-01-06 01:17
Woodwind & Brasswind says the Hite Premier has a "medium" facing that "is well suited to a Vandoren No. 3 (or comparable) reed."
You might try a box of #3 Vandorens (either V12 or traditional) and see how they compare to the 2.5s you got from the store clerk. What brand are they? If they're basic school-grade Ricos, they tend to run softer for a given strength number than Vandoren or even the higher-grade Ricos like Grand Concert or Reserves. If you have trouble playing above the staff, try a half strength higher and see if it makes things better or worse. Just be ready to back off if an increase in reed strength makes your low notes muddy or fuzzy or it doesn't improve higher notes.
Karl
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2010-01-06 01:18
If the 2 1/2 blows too easy I suggest getting a box of 3s, after playing them for a while moving up to a 3 1/2 unless the 3s are giving you a satisfactory tone and control. You might eventually even move to a 4, all depends on your control and embouchure. As far as breaking reeds in, you may not be ready to worry about that yet because that's more important for those that are playing a lot but it can't hurt to break in a few properly. Check out my website and read the reed page, you might get some ideas that help you. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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