Don't CONSTANTLY upgrade your reed size OR start with anything greater than a 2 1/2 (i recommend starting on 2's however). Can she use her friend's unused sax reeds with her clarinet? However, there is a greater chance for pitch variations as you play, though it is easier to correct the pitch with your. If you are experienced enough, in many cases bad reeds can be adjusted to play far better than their original states. ", "It helped me to decide where to begin. Although clarinet reeds come in different strengths and cuts, choosing a good reed is crucial for producing quality sounds and tones. and they are a HUGE waste of money. When filling the bottle, ensure there is enough water to soak the reed up to the bark. However, the, "As a clarinet beginner, any information was welcome. The reeds have been through a lot of shipping to get to you, and the cane varies. When it comes to purchasing reeds, it’s always best to buy in bulk- that way you won’t be frequenting the music store and you’ll have the option of picking and choosing only the best reeds in the batch. Appreciate all guidance, pictures and explanations. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. There are several brands of reeds and each teacher and player will have their favourite which will have been found after several years of trying different reeds. The size number indicates the thickness of the reed. Reeds comparison chart. It is unlikely any reed will damage your instrument; however; any reeds made for such a purpose are never really as good as standard reeds. Thanks for the tips! Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. My embouchure is in the strengthening stage right now. While every part of a clarinet serves its own purpose in providing that distinct ‘clarinet’ sound, some say the most important piece is two-and-a-half inch long, paper-thin piece of cane otherwise known as the reed. Other sizes of clarinets include an Eb (E flat) clarinet which is smaller than the standard Bb clarinet. If you still aren’t sure about the cut, you can’t go wrong with choosing a Vandoren clarinet reed- most clarinet teachers recommend them over other brands. Clarinet Reeds. I have very nice Noblet artist clarinet recently refurbished, B45 vabdoran moutpiece. D’Addario Woodwinds Mitchell Lurie Premium Bb Clarinet Reeds, Strength 1.5, 5-pack…. The comprehensive strength charts below compare popular cane strengths to the matching Légère reed strength and cut. I saw an episode of a TV show the other night where a character was murdered when someone poisoned his reed. Take a look at the color. While this should be the ultimate goal, a clarinet player should never jump into using a reed that’s too hard for them, as this will make it harder for the player to produce sound. Classics for Clarinet. You should see an inverted "V" shape. If that is the only thing to soak your reed available, use it. This information will be useful for him to know, so I’ll pass this along. ", "Great article, did answer my questions.". When the reed is inserted tip down into the bottle, it floats so the tip does not bang against the bottom. If on soprano your reed strength is 2 1/2. 4.4 out of 5 stars 696. A reed with knots (little spots or dark areas in the grain) will vibrate unevenly, and is also a dud. I used to play clarinet in symphonic band in both high school and college and even took lessons for a few years. It's more difficult to, A softer reed makes playing easier - the reed speaks more easily, and gives a lighter, brighter sound. The best reed for beginner clarinet is a size 2 or 2.5 reed. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. I hadn't known the differences in reeds. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Saxophone Reed Cuts. What is the difference between a bass clarinet reed and a Bb clarinet reed? I am an intermediate player looking for therightt mouhpiece reed ombiniation for the intrument without spending tons of money trying different reeds. ... Rico Recorder Alto Wind & Woodwind Instrument Reeds, Clarinet Alto Rico Wind & Woodwind Instrument Reeds, Professional Alto Rico Wind & Woodwind Instrument Reeds, It has to do with, the style of music (a jazz player NEVER uses reeds really harder than about a 3), the tip opening of the mouthpiece (ex. Source(s): playing clarinet for 6 years. "I like most of what you said. New reeds, like a new pair of shoes, need to be broken in over time- don’t play  new reeds for more than ten minutes at a time, and pay attention for waterlogged reeds, or reeds that look wet, streaky, and almost see-through. I’m trying to get my son to start learning how to play the clarinet, so it seems like he should also know how to keep it in good condition. Facing Length Tip opening (mm) Compare facing to Eb 15mm .96 Soprano Clarinet: CF 17mm .96 P34 CF+ 17mm 1.00 5RV CWF 17.5mm .96 CF+/S 16mm 1.00 1L 18mm 1.00 M15 2S 16mm 1.04 2M 17mm 1.04 2M* 17mm asymmetrical 1.04 2L 18mm 1.04 5RV Lyre 3L 18mm 1.08 4L 18mm 1.12 B45 Jazz 19mm 1.20 EUROPA 1 19mm 1.00 BD5 EUROP I've played for 3 years and have not used that many. This article has been viewed 231,613 times. Clarinet reeds come in strengths one through five. When Is It Time to Upgrade Your Woodwind Instrument? The Eb clarinet is not typically used as a beginning instrument. When adjusting reeds, be very careful, as it's easy to remove too much. Beginners should start at a 1.5 or 2 and gradually work their way up to a harder reed. One way to decide on a cut is to “match” it with the type of mouthpiece your clarinet has. They don't need to be wet first, last much longer, and are very consistent. While every part of the clarinet has its own purpose in producing a good sound, perhaps the most important piece is the two-and-a-half inch long, wafer-thin piece of cane called the reed. A band mate mentioned that the murder victim “chose a softer reed for the lower notes” and I knew that didn’t even begin to make sense! I recommend starting with size 2 of the Rico orange box to start with.The misconception is, the harder reed you use, the better you are. The higher the number, the harder the reed. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. While there are plenty of clarinet reed brands on the market, only a handful are trusted by beginners and advanced players alike, including Vandoren, Rico, and D’Addario. Synthetic (plastic) reeds, a relatively new invention, are available from brands such as BARI, Fiberreed, Fibracell, Hahn, Hartmann, Legere, Olivieri, and RKM. The reeds are available in a variety of cuts, like the Signature and Classic and multiple strengths to accommodate both jazz and orchestral players. This means that higher numbered reeds will be harder and lower numbered reeds will be softer. Throughout his life he maintained a stron Vandoren, which also specializes in mouthpieces, is a French brand that’s known for their craftsmanship and attention to detail, while D’Addario specializes in manufacturing strings for a variety of instruments. Alternatively, regular-cut reeds are ideal for brighter sounding mouthpieces. If your clarinet has a darker-sounding mouthpiece, French file cuts are typically preferred. Condition: New. If you still aren’t sure about the cut, you can’t go wrong with choosing a, 5 Stocking Stuffer Ideas for Clarinet Players 2020. In most cases, a clarinetist will discard 3-4 reeds from each box of 10. Yes, because you have to push more air through a thicker reed. Rico Reserve vs Rico Royal), and the brand of reed your using (Some are WAY softer than what the range is). While every part of a clarinet serves its own purpose in providing that distinct ‘clarinet’ sound, some say the most important piece is two-and-a-half inch long, paper-thin piece of cane otherwise known as the reed. (For example, a Rico 2 is more flexible than a Vandoren 2.) Reeds vary in strength in half measures – a bit like shoe sizes! As the reeds dry out, they warp. This article has been viewed 231,613 times. Rico is a U.S. brand that’s favored by beginners, as the reeds are easy to use for someone who is still learning mouth and strength positioning. I am very grateful for that, thanks. Lv 4. The goal of any clarinetist is to play the hardest reed they can handle, as the sound improves with each increment. A "crooked" V will be hard to play, and there is a risk of, However, if the "V" is only slightly off-centered, you can remedy the problem by shifting the reed slightly so that the "V" is centered on the mouthpiece (not centered on the reed). German Cut reeds are designed to play on German/Oehler system clarinets. The size of the bottle should be 3” tall for clarinet reeds. Explaining how to maintain clarinet reeds is very helpful. If your’re just starting out, you may want to choose a 1 1/2 strength reed that’s more flexible and easier to play. The universal rule is the thicker the vamp and tip, the higher the number. Id like to stay under $100 on the mouthpiece. The more pointed the arch, the thicker the spine and heart, and conversely, the thinner the side bevels. In order to allow your reeds to dry properly, don’t leave your reed on the mouthpiece after you’re done playing. Approved. The more I reed the more I have no idea which way to go . Although clarinet reeds come in different strengths and cuts, choosing a good reed is crucial for producing quality sounds and tones. Reeds come in different strengths and cuts, and can be good or bad. Typically, reeds come in two different cuts: a regular cut or a French file cut. Rico is a U.S. brand that’s favored by beginners, as the reeds are easy to use for someone who is still learning mouth and strength positioning. A topographical diagram of each cut. ", https://www.soundunlimited.co.uk/blogs/articles/saxophone-and-clarinet-reeds-beginner-guide, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCZPbfxA-sc, http://thevault.musicarts.com/how-to-choose-a-clarinet-reed/, https://www.hopestreetmusicstudios.com/articles/adjusting-saxophone-and-clarinet-reeds, consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow, A harder reed gives a heavier, thicker, and fuller sound. Glory Reeds Clarinet Reed size# 3, Box of 10~ size 1.5, 2, 2.5, 3~ Click for yours'choice Légère clarinet reeds respond instantly providing long-lasting, orchestral-grade sound, every time. The reed quality and consistency is HORRIBLE! There are many advantages to making clarinet reeds by hand. VENN Advanced Synthetic Reed – A New Species of Reed, When to Upgrade Your Reeds, Strings, and Mouthpieces, Six Clarinet Tips for All Levels from Beginner to Advanced, How To Hold a Clarinet: Tips for Beginners of All Ages. Should she try a softer reed than the hardness she uses with her Bb 3? References The tip is the narrow end of the reed, and affects the quickness of response. Reeds are a strange part of the Woodwind players arsenal – on the one hand, a good reed can make all the difference to a players tone. To create this article, 22 people, some anonymous, worked to edit and improve it over time. Instead of full plastic reeds, plastic coated reeds are also available. The body of the instrument is typically constructed of wood. Vandoren, which also specializes in mouthpieces, is a French brand that’s known for their craftsmanship and attention to detail, while D’Addario specializes in manufacturing strings for a variety of instruments. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 231,613 times. Additionally, intermediate and advanced players should learn how to flatten and polish their reeds, store their reeds properly, and experiment with using sandpaper or reed knives to adjust their reeds accordingly. So, if you are a beginner, it would be recommended to look for clarinet reeds in this range. Once you open the box, inspect each reed individually and throw out any that have visible splits or cracks. Your teacher will most likely recommend one of these brands to start with. Keep an eye on the date, and switch out the reeds as necessary. My child plays the clarinet and her friend plays the saxophone. Can I use professional reeds to play my clarinet if I'm a beginner? Need advice on the best mouthpiece reed comboo for this instrument for nice mellow tone and ease of response. No, Bb clarinet reeds are smaller, and the bass clarinet reed will not fit the mouthpiece of the Bb. The system ranges from 1 to 5, and uses half numbers to help evaluate the hardness. The Rico B flat clarinet reed is an excellent choice for those players … Reed strengths can vary between manufacturers. While there are plenty of clarinet reed brands on the market, only a handful are trusted by beginners and advanced players alike, including Vandoren. There are a few things that I, "Really answered the questions I had and went above and beyond to provide me with further information! Price: US $10.00. It really opens up your eyes. Remember to switch your reeds out often, and avoid playing the same clarinet reed more than two days in a row. A good reed is vitally important for a good sound and tone, so it's important to be able to identify one. {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Choose-a-Reed-for-a-Clarinet-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Choose-a-Reed-for-a-Clarinet-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/8\/89\/Choose-a-Reed-for-a-Clarinet-Step-1.jpg\/aid516027-v4-728px-Choose-a-Reed-for-a-Clarinet-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"