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Re: synthetic reeds

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2014-08-29 12:36

As a beginner you cannot know what is easy or what is hard. It reminds me of when I was wanting to play the clarinet and picked up my first how to book. All the steps involved in getting the parts together and setting up an embouchure seemed almost too daunting for it to be worth it!

You will find out the answer to your question within a few short months (or less) concerning the difference between cane and synthetic. It is I feel a personal choice and no longer necessarily one of right or wrong. The Legere (and perhaps others) reeds are 'good enough' so that one can get a completely acceptable classical clarinet sound out of them. They are certainly much cheaper in the long run since as you already observe, not all real reeds out of a box will work, a box of Vandorens could set you back about $50 US dollars and then you get a month out that rotation. Whereas you can play on one $25 dollar Legere for three to six months!

But if you do find yourself playing on synthetics, I would recommend going back to cane for a 'check' on whether the tradeoffs are worth it in sound for yourself.

And just for starting off, I think a 2 1/2 strength reed is typical for a beginner.

.................Paul Aviles

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