 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2015-04-05 02:16
Seems a lot of people feel that playing a Bb reed on an Eb clarinet is better than using the Eb reeds you can buy specifically for the Eefer horn.
1. Can someone tell me why this is? You'd think a reed made specifically for that horn would work best.
2. People who use Bb reeds often like to chop the bottom end off so as to fit more easily onto the mouthpiece table.
a. Is this really necessary? It seems to me that even with the bottom end of the reed sticking out, it doesn't get in the way of anything.
b. What's the best way to chop off the end of said reed if you want to go this route?
Thanks for your help.
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Author: greenslater
Date: 2015-04-05 03:07
To cut a Bb reed I just use a pair of gardening secateurs (pruning shears)
:)
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-04-05 03:38
1. experience of many players is that a Bb reed provides a smoother less brittle sound. It is really just a matter of experimentation and personal preference.
I find that on some Vandoren Eb mothpieces the Eb reeds are almost too narrow to fit comfortably on the rails. In my case the VD German white box reeds usually fit better - wider than the Eb but narrower than the blue box Bb reeds.
2a. unless you buy a special cut-away Eb barrel then the butt of a Bb reed is too long and overhangs the table and interfers with the barrel.
2b. I prefer to use a small fine tooth saw to cut a bit oof the butt, smoother finish and less risk of tearing the cane fibres, however whatever works for you .
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Author: maxopf
Date: 2015-04-05 04:06
I've only played a little bit of Eefer, but I've found that so far I prefer the German Bb reeds. They seem to have less of a harsh sound. My teacher (who plays Eb professionally), on the other hand, says she dislikes the German reeds and prefers the V12 Eb reeds. I guess it's matter of personal preference.
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-04-05 05:21
I tried NOT cutting the ends off of Bb reeds to play on my Eb...not good. The sound is compromised. I just use a prism-shaped file and pliers to cut off the end. I've gone from using regular Bb reeds to the Vandoren White Master German Cut. However, Vandoren reeds are so inconsistent from one to the next, that I've not been overly impressed. I've ordered a box of Gonzales German Cut reeds and am anxious to compare them to the Vandorens once they arrive. My experience with Gonzales is that 10 of the 10 reeds in the box are very playable. I've not liked the Vandoren Eb reeds I've tried.
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2015-04-05 07:04
How Roxann were you able to NOT cut the Bb reeds for your Eefer and still get them to fit (even if this proved inferior for you)?
Were you using one of Backun's flat back barrels that accomodates Bb reeds, or some other gear, etc.?
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-04-05 18:34
Dave...I just let the end hang down over the silver ring, slid my ligature on and tightened it. I just wanted to see what would happen if I didn't cut off the end. It should have been a "no-brainer" before I even tried it, but I just had to try to see what would happen.
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Author: Jaysne
Date: 2015-04-05 20:04
Roxann,
When you said your sound was compromised by not cutting the reeds, what do you mean by that?
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Author: Roxann
Date: 2015-04-06 19:37
The reed played very stuffy most likely because it wasn't laying flat. It had to bend a bit to go up over the silver ring.
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Author: 2cekce ★2017
Date: 2015-04-07 00:55
I actually just got around to trying the Bb reeds on my eefer, although I've played for years on regular Eb reeds with no problem, I did notice quite a difference with the Bb reeds. I tried both the Mitchell Luries 4.5 I play on my pro Amati and the Vandorens 3 & 3.5 I play on my Vito I and the ML play
much better with the B44 than the stock mp for the Eb. the stock mp is a bit
more resistant and plays better for some reason with the Eb reeds I use which
are vandorens 3. btw I play on vandoren mps on both my Bb clars. I'm a fan
of Vandorens and they are affordable. I use a serated knife to cut down the
Bb reeds, that works well for me.
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Author: cyclopathic
Date: 2015-04-08 07:40
Question to those who find it sounds "too harsh" is it really as bad? What MPC/reed combo are you using? We have opposite problem it sounds too much like Bb with C85/Grand Concert Eb. You have to really push it to make it sound like eefer
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Author: Hurstfarm
Date: 2015-04-09 17:18
Worth exploring whether the Eb can usefully recycle your Bb reeds. I discovered some time ago that by happy coincidence a decent Bb reed approaching the point where it was "blown out" on the Bb became a vibrant, terrifically responsive Eb reed capable of several more weeks' service. This is an unexpected by-product of my particular setup, but having discovered it wasn't just a one-off I haven't bought an Eb reed since, and always have a ready source of broken-in, balanced Eb reeds - perhaps the closest thing to reed nirvana! I hope someone else has similar luck.
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