 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: RAL
Date: 2015-05-03 06:56
I have been playing clarinet for five weeks now, progressing steadily and enjoying the process.
However, I fell into what I define as "reed madness":
The clarinet came with the following reeds
1 Marca Superieure 2.5
1 La Voz M
4 Rico 2.5
Tried the Marca Superieure and could not play with it.
Then tried one Rico, and keep playing with two of them for a couple of weeks. Found after a while that the reeds did not sound too nice and that the range was very limited for high notes (translation: it was the reed fault and not the beginner clarinetist the accountable for the clarinet not sounding like Sabine Meyer's and not getting into the Altissimo range...). So the solution was most likely a harder and better reed. With the best reed out there I was for sure going to have Martin Frost's tune...
I asked for a colleague to bring me a box of Vandoren V21 3.0 (I live in Chile, so
the options are limited here). Got them and barely could get them working in the Chalumeau range...
Tried the La Voz M, and liked it a lot. So I got locally a box of MH (what was available here...) which were OK but the M sounded better and easier for me.
Tried again the Marca Superieure 2.5 and LOVED it. Go figure... But the high range was limited. Cursed myself for asking for freaking Vandorens and not for Marca Superieure 3.0...
Got again to the local store and got a box of Rico Reserve 3.0 and Rico Grand Concert Select 3.0 (do not know why, guess because they were available), which did not work for me...
At this stage, I was cursing heavily about my reed shopping spree, and wasting time and money on reeds instead of trying to improve my playing...
Kept playing the La Voz, but as my brother was in the USA for a congress, I asked him to get me some Marca Superieure, Rico Royal or Mitchell Lurie 3.0. He managed to find the Royals in a Sam Ash store.
In the meantime, and after a crash course on reed tuning (thanks, www...) I "adjusted" one of the Vandorens and one of the Rico Reserve, and made them play far better in the Chalumeau range. I was happier now...
Started with the Rico Royales 3.0 today, and they worked for me far better than the modified premium ones and everything else I had.
So I should be able to concentrate now in improving my level instead of playing around with reeds...
Now, I started reading good comments about the Legere synthetic reeds, not having to break them in and lasting months... Should try to get that out of my head quickly!
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Author: fskelley
Date: 2015-05-03 07:29
Well, many of us here have written mountains about reeds. And while a lot is agreed upon, just as much or more is not. A few of us claim to be happy with a chosen type of reed and regimen (or lack thereof) for using it. For many of us it is not so simple, and maybe we'll figure it out some day.
Search this forum and find many many threads about all kinds of reeds. Some written by me, maybe you should avoid those. :-(
Let me just observe what you already found out, that just because you dislike (like) a given reed today does not mean you will dislike (like) it tomorrow or the next day or next week. Perhaps that is a breakin process, or just Murphy at work. Perhaps your lips are stronger or weaker from day to day, or humidity does it, or phase of the moon. To me that means it is very very hard to determine a brand, or line, or strength, or individual reed, that I like or don't like. Get used to it being a long term process of learning trends and not believing any one observation about anything, good or bad. Take careful notes, and do not jump to any conclusions.
This is far more this way for reeds than any other part of your equipment.
And do not believe the hype about synthetic reeds, at least not until you read all the misadventures with them so many of us have had.
Welcome to the clarinet club. Perhaps in the long run you will be one of the lucky happy content reed users. But it doesn't sound like it.
In all seriousness- BBoard is maybe the best place on the planet to get useful helpful clarinet advice. Perhaps mixed with some not so useful. Which is which? Read and experiment and judge for yourself. :-)
Stan in Orlando
EWI 4000S with modifications
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2015-05-03 15:51
At 5 weeks, your embouchure isn't strong or stable enough to evaluate reeds well. Also, cane reeds change as they get wet, and from day to day.
I strongly recommend that you get a Legere, perhaps 2.5 strength. It will last nearly forever and won't change. It costs as much as a whole box of cane reeds, but will outlast them all.
Also, be very exact when you put the reed on the mouthpiece. It should be perfectly even with the rails and the tip, and there should be no leaks, particularly at the corners. Tighten the ligature up snug and then back the screw(s) off 1/4 turn.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-05-03 18:25
And the disagreement begins.
When learning clarinet I find it best starting with real reeds. Synthetics always sound like a good idea but since there is such a narrow resistance window in which they sound their best, I doubt ANY beginner would actually hit that mark (or be able to hold it). Real cane reeds are FAR more flexible, sounding better in under much more varied conditions.
But I do agree that you need some time under your belt before you can make clear judgements on one cut or brand versus another.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: RAL
Date: 2015-05-03 18:44
One thing that is clear is that I have more than enough reeds now for a while and that I rather spend time playing than testing...
I like, though, playing the modified V21 now and then, as I have to blow much harder to make it sound and it makes playing with the other reeds much faster and easier...
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Author: Jim22
Date: 2015-05-03 21:01
Should we ask... What mouthpiece are you using? Have you had your clarinet checked by a technician or experienced player to ensure it is in good playing condition?
It is very difficult to progress if you are fighting the reed. Almost any brand or type will be OK to learn on for a while provided it is not too hard or way too soft. Not being able to play very high notes really is mostly the player and not knowing how to voice the notes and adjust the playing position and pressure on the Reed just yet. Remain calm! It will come. A teacher who can describe what you need to do and show you exercises to practice that would be very helpful.
I recommend you settle on a brand and type of reed that is readily available. Rico orange box is OK. Vandoren blue box is probably a little better. Rico royal is OK too. Then figure out a reed strength in that type that you can play with solid tone for at least 20 minutes or so before tiring. Too hard will require too much effort to play. Too soft can be hard to keep the pitch stable. You will eventually know what is good for you. To an extent, you want as a goal to move up in Reed strength over time as you develop good breath support and embouchure strength and endurance.
Jim C.
CT, USA
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Author: Jim22
Date: 2015-05-03 21:13
Sorry, had to switch to a real computer. Tablet typing was miserable...
It is reasonable and normal for me to have to "finish" the reeds I pull out of a new box. Many will be very hard to blow when I first try them. I have a break-in procedure during which I get the reeds up to speed over 4-5 days. I use the Ridenour ATG system to adjust the reeds during this break-in period so that I can play them with relatively consistent effort. Theoretically, some reeds may need to be balanced left to right, making them respond better. I have a lot of trouble diagnosing balance issues unless they are very severe.
I highly recommend the ATG system. The tools are simple, but the system comes with a booklet and DVD which are brilliant. The finishing steps below refer to techniques I learned from the DVD and booklet.
My procedure goes like this:
Clarinet Reed Preparation
J. Crane – 5/24/14
Day 1:
1. Soak entire reed in warm water about 3 minutes.
2. Burnish back, vamp, and butt on the back side of Wet/Dry sandpaper
3. Dry face down about until excess moisture is gone, 15 minutes depending on humidity.
4. Place in reed case at 59% humidity.
Day 2:
1. Lightly sand back, vamp, and lightly tip finish 5x dry.
2. Mark the reeds with an identification number.
3. Soak vamp only in warm water for 15 seconds.
4. Play test briefly and lightly. Note each reed’s tendencies qualitatively.
5. Rinse, wipe dry, and replace in reed case.
Day 3:
1. Lightly sand back, vamp dry.
2. Soak vamp only in warm water for 15 seconds.
3. Play test slightly harder/longer than day 2. Note each reed’s tendencies again.
4. Rinse, wipe dry, and replace in reed case.
Subsequent days:
1. Lightly sand back, vamp if grain has raised, dry.
2. Based on tendencies of the previous day, finish the reed per the ATG system (Left side, Right side, Left Ear, Right Ear, Tip) dry.
3. Play test slightly harder/longer than day 2. Note each reed’s tendencies again.
4. If balance issues are detected, attempt to correct using ATG.
5. Rinse, wipe dry, and replace in reed case.
Once the reeds start to play well, begin to assign quantitative ratings and put in rotation.
Jim C.
CT, USA
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Author: Jim22
Date: 2015-05-03 21:19
Ha! Listen to me almost knowing what I am doing! 
For perspective, I am primarily a flutist. I play clarinet and saxophone some. Right know I'm learing to play oboe and make reeds. Now there's a bunch of magic!
I play on a Buffet R13 with a fairly long barrel and a D'Addario X5 mouthpiece.
I hope my posts were helpful.
Jim C.
CT, USA
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Author: RAL
Date: 2015-05-04 01:11
Thanks for all the comments.
I am using a Leblanc K10M mouthpiece.
I have not had my clarinet checked by a tecnitian, however it is only 5 weeks old, does not look like it has any leakage.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2015-05-04 03:02
Find a teacher or at least a good and experienced player who can help you find a suitable reed type and strength that will work for you at this very early playing stage.
Then stick with that type for several months at least and possibly increase strength by small steps over the next year.
Do NOT get into messing about with reed types/makes/models for at least a year and more probably for 2 to 3 years.
Learn to play the clarinet - not to audition reeds.
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Author: GLHopkins
Date: 2015-05-04 05:24
At 5 weeks into learning clarinet you're worrying about something that would be better left alone until you know what you're doing. Just find something, say the Marca 2.5 that works ok and just start learning to play. The next box you buy could be the 3s you cursed yourself for not buying. Just work on embouchure, hand position, precise finger movements, breathing and air support and transitioning across the break for now. That should keep you busy for months. Find a teacher and do as he suggests. He can tell you what to worry about and when. Wait awhile before becoming a prima donna like the rest of us wannabe clarinet playing prima donnas. The clarinet is a cool instrument...try to have some fun learning to play. Don't get too serious too soon.
Post Edited (2015-05-04 09:14)
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Author: Katrina
Date: 2015-05-04 06:24
Just a side note about Legere: They _do_ require some breaking-in. They also sound better (once broken-in) after 2-3 minutes of warm up time.
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