Choosing the right kind of clarinet reed is important. This article explains the differences between reeds and how to choose the reed that will help you play your best!
Buying reeds for a clarinet is not the most simple of decisions. There are many different manufacturers of clarinet reeds, each with a different method of grading and cutting their products. While it is simple to assume that any old clarinet reed will do the job, it is important to know some specifics about the clarinetist rather than simply buying the cheapest box of reeds on the shelf.
Experience and Hardness Are Related
All manufacturers of clarinet reeds grade their reeds based on the relative hardness or rigidness of the reed. The higher the number on the reed, the stiffer the reed is and thus, the more difficult it is to get it to vibrate correctly when fitted on the mouthpiece. Beginning clarinet players often start on #2 or #2 ½ reeds, the softest reeds that are commonly available in music stores. As the clarinetist improves and develops their facial muscles, a band director will often move the clarinetist to a harder reed. By the end of the first year of playing most clarinetists will be able to play well on at least a #2 ½ reed, possibly even a #3. By high school most clarinetists will be asked to use #3 reeds, with more advanced players using #3 ½ or even #4 clarinet reeds.
Clarinet Reed Materials
Most clarinet reeds are made of a thick woody breed of grass known as cane. In order for the reed to play properly it must be wet, hence the reason most clarinet players will put the reed in their mouth for a few minutes before putting it on their mouthpiece. Some manufacturers also make reeds from a synthetic material similar to plastic. Sold under the brand names such as Fibracell or Legere, these synthetic reeds have the flexibility of cane reeds without the need to soak them. They are used primarily by musicians who play on more than one instrument and by clarinetists who play outdoors. Synthetic reeds also tend to be more uniform in quality than cane reeds (see Buy The Whole Box below). Synthetic reeds tend to be much more expensive that traditional cane reeds but also last longer when properly cared for.
Buy The Whole Box
Professional clarinetists will profess to the fact that out of a box of twenty reeds you will almost always have a few bad ones. Cane reeds are essentially made of wood, and the cane from different plants will have different properties. Whenever possible buy a full box of reeds. Not only will it let you pick through the box to find the best ones but it will also make sure that you have an extra reed when you need it.
The copyright of the article Clarinet Reeds What To Buy in Music Education is owned by Chad Criswell. Permission to republish Clarinet Reeds What To Buy in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
I received my new clarinet and was immediately intimidated by how hard it
was to blow. After a hour, I put it back in the case dissapointed. Now,
after reading this article(I had no instructions beforehand) I'm
enlightened and I think I'll try it again...thanks for the insight.
Oct 9, 2008 2:03 PM
Guest :
thanks for this I am just now learning how to play
Oct 22, 2008 6:03 AM
Guest :
the strenght of reeds are NOT based on how much skill you've got. its all
about what mouthpiece you use! i know very good pro clarinetists who
play on vandoren trad. #3 aswell as i know the ones who plays on #5. and they are both great musicians. its wrong to make the students
think that the degree of reed determines ones skill in clarinetplaying, but
sadly there is just to many band directors who push young clarinetists to
BITE which is the worst thing there is! allmost like burning a bible to a
christian!!!!!
thekrullo@gmail.com
Feb 6, 2009 12:44 AM
Guest :
I also agree that it's not right to qulify the palyer by the reed strength.
My instructor is a performing clainettist with 30+ years of playing
experience. He uses Vandorens #3 and sound great. I also read on the
web the New Orleans clarinettists who mostly played on Albert system
clarinets often used soft reeds, down to #1.
It also would be
incorrect to skip the MP design. Generally a MP with large tip opening will
require softer reeds and small tip opening harder reeds.
Softer
reeds will allow the player to extend their dynamic range easier but it
will be more difficult to get the upper register in tune.
Jun 24, 2009 12:04 PM
Guest :
I have to disagree - while the greats do use a variety of reeds, it is much
easier when starting off to start with a lower number. I began playing
when I was 10 years old (I'm now 23), and I can say with full confidence
that a #2 reed was the easiest to learn on, and it took many years before I
had good sound quality with a #4.
Sep 4, 2009 7:54 PM
Guest :
My names Marissa and im 11 years old and i go to fertitta middle
school..........Well i know i want to play the clarinet because its most
common for beginners.Well i need reeds and my mom bought me a clarinet orr
ebay but she has no idea what size we should buy????I bought a standard
clarinet 2010 brand new and i atleast need 4 reeds in school or my grade
will go down!!!!!!please help
Sep 22, 2009 4:35 PM
Guest :
As the streangths go up the thicker it is and the harder it is to blow.
