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Re: How Measure Reed and MP

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2016-11-26 11:28

Even though I know a ton about reeds, I usually break them in during a week long period. After that I play on them, make a few minor adjustments as the weeks go on and I do NOT rotate the Sreuer reeds. If the reed plays well I don't want to waste practice time and orchestra time rotating reeds. I will play the same reed until it dead. I of course have a few backup reeds ready at all times, which are just as good.

Since switching horns I went from a 3 1/2 to a 4 strength reed. I only do one thing right out of the box. Smooth the top of the reeds towards the back using 2000 grit WET sandpaper. Then I use 3000 grit and finally I seal this area by the back of the 3000 grit wet sandpaper. To do a the 10 reeds it's about 60 seconds per reed. I do not get close to the tip area. It's usually already smooth enough. While doing this I usually throw away 1 or 2 reeds because of uneven cuts from looking at the sides of the reeds. Often I will keep them, but if they are too thin the reeds are useless.

Mitchell Lurie played the same reed for 6 months often 8 months before changing reeds.

I also keep the reed ON the mouthpiece, dry it off a bit after playing on it and let it warp naturally to the facing of the mouthpiece. I'm not the only player that does this practice. It it starts looking a tad dirty I will wash it in a washing machine with bleach, on the heavy cycle - kidding! I will wash it with my fingers only using just 80 degree temperature water with very diluted mild hand soap. No longer than maybe 20 seconds should be plenty.

This has several advantages with few or any disadvantages. The main advantage is you can count on the reed playing correctly all of the time once it it broken in. Another big advantage is you know by the feel of the reed if it needs an adjustment or if it is on its way out. So for me the feel of the reed always being consistent is such an advantage when playing all of the time. This is why I hate changing reeds and rotating them. If the cane is good they will last me 4 to 7 weeks with 4 plus hours of playing per day, so why rotate?

When you rotate this doesn't assure that your reeds will last longer, if anything they may always need constant attention every time you play on them. Weather, all of that, will screw with how the reeds play, but if you play on them everyday the weather isn't that much of a concern, unless you are playing one day in the rain and the next day it 10 below zero.

To be totally honest, right now I have 2 spare reeds in my case which are great. Being a Steuer reed importer I could have an unlimited supply of 1000's. I will work in a reed or 2 this week. But not more than that. Why? Because they change, even in California the weather changes, so that rotating reed from 2 months or 1 week ago may squeak, chirp, or to be sold at "Duck Dynasty!" as bird calls. That reed could also get hard or soft on you.

So rethink this a bit, It's great to know how to adjust a reed in seconds if needed, by knowing the FEEL of reeds and what to to. In my opinion a person should know how to adjust reeds, maybe not to my level, but enough to get yourself out of a scary situation during a rehearsal or a concert. I carry a reed knife and 500 grit sandpaper just in case.

So BGBG forget about the vamp, the length, rotating the reeds, measurements all of that, unless you enjoy it. In this case go for it.

Buy the Fred Ormand book on reeds. The best $30 or so you will ever spend.

I cannot stand the M series Vandoren mouthpieces. They tune too low and the distance between the rails in not right. You asked a great question. The cost of a very good mouthpiece, well it's too high because it plays flat on R13 horns and the tip opening is way too small at 1.01 mm's Even double lip players aren't fond of the mouthpiece. The bore is too big and the length is too long. The clarinet world is going the wrong way. The average facings should be around 1.07mm's. Players want that dark sound so Vandoren gave them that German tip opening.

I'm not telling you to run out and buy a new mouthpiece. They work, but it's one of those mouthpieces which I can't do anything with except put a much better facing on. I did this at the recent ClarinetFest and a lot of players, all of them were advanced students, freaked out with joy when the sound opened up and they could now be heard. The famous words were "My teacher told me to buy this!" Well now that you are playing with the correct reeds, the correct reed strengths, and a free re-facing and you can hear yourself play, ask yourself, was your teacher right?

BGBG I'm very happy to watch you grow on this site. Lot's of smart people and really amazing players here. Some are ranked as some of the best in the world. The key is to have fun and if you enjoy playing and adjusting reeds let me set you up for free with some amazing reeds and and a free mouthpiece. Then you will have a general guide if what a really good setup should sound like.

BGBG - Next year you may be teaching us some new tricks. The mouthpiece will be an old GREAT mouthpiece that plays well and the reeds will be broken in for you - to a point. These will be your general guidelines of what you should looking for. Many times I've plated for a week or w with a chipped tip corner of a reed. It still sounded great so keep playing on it. Point is, forget about the looks of the reeds sometimes, but do not forget about the basics about adjustments to reeds.

When you write or if you write let me know what strength reeds you are playing on and allow me a few weeks to set you up.

My goal in life is to make clarinet playing fun. BGBG, I sent you a free box of reeds a while ago, never heard back, so ONLY contact me if you are serious. Please don't reply unless you are serious. PLEASE don't get the wrong idea, I don't expect thank you notes. I was just hoping that the reeds helped you or made things worse at that time. savagesax10@gmail.com.

This Thanksgiving I got about 50 cards from people thanking me for discounted reeds, often free reeds and mouthpieces, plus helping them as a private teacher, 1 in Mexico, 1 in Chile, and one in South Africa. Some countries cannot afford a reed. Well I cannot afford in my heart to let this happen.

This was the best Thanksgiving one could ask for and in these countries they don't really know about Thanksgiving in the USA. My favorite note, message, and email card came from a person in NYC born in USSR. WOW! That touched my heart dearly.

Music is so powerful and I want to help everyone I can, even if they cannot afford a reed I will get them one.

Enjoy the rest of the weekend folks.

B

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

Post Edited (2016-11-26 11:29)

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