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Re: The Downside of Light Reeds

Author: Jarmo Hyvakko
Date: 2022-11-16 10:28

For harder reeds among professionals there are several reasons.

First, it's easier to get stability to the sound. It's easier to get tuning up in loud dynamics, we all know the challenging feature in the clarinet: it tends to get flat when played loud, when most instruments get sharp.

It's easier to get altissimo register notes in tune (not flat) with a reed hard enough. My professor used to teach a simple test: you should at least be able to play clarinet register A to altissimo A octave effortless with no need to pinch altissimo A sharper. Otherwise your reed is too soft.

I find it easier to get a good core to the sound with a reed hard enough. Too soft reed easily produces a sound that is only bright with no core and thus no projection.

I find it equally exhausting to play with a too soft reed than a too hard reed. You need a lot of energy to keep the lips in a stable position with a soft reed to get a good sound. There is no such good sound as "just put your lips together and blow".

With a too soft reed there very easily are undesired upper partials in the sound that make it unpleasant

In cane world it's easier to find good sounding reeds from slightly harder ones. Professionals need lots and lots of reeds whole the time.

I am not saying the harder the better. Too hard reed easily produces a too dark and dull sound.

My equipment just now is Playnick Nommos M mouthpiece, Legere european cut #4 reeds and Yanagisawa Yany Sixs ligature

Jarmo Hyvakko, Principal Clarinet, Tampere Philharmonic, Finland

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The Downside of Light Reeds new

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2022-11-16 00:02