You will need to start with a softer clarinet reed and work your way up to a thicker reed. When purchasing your reeds make sure that you are also buying the correct ones for your specific insturment. Clarinet reeds differ from saxophone reeds. This means that a Bb clarinet reed only fits a Bb clarinet, alto saxophone reeds only fit alto saxophones, bass clarinet reeds only fit bass clarinets, and so forth.
It is best to start with a softer or lower number reed size. Once you gain strength and confidence, you will want to go to a thicker reed and experiment with different brands to increase your range of playing.
Posted: November 01, Log in Social login does not work in incognito and private browsers. Please log in with your username or email to continue. No account yet? Create an account. Edit this Article. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. By using our site, you agree to our cookie policy. Cookie Settings. Learn why people trust wikiHow. Download Article Explore this Article Steps. Tips and Warnings. Related Articles. Choose a brand. There are many to choose from, and all brands make and sell their reeds a little differently.
Rico, a US brand, is popular with all clarinetists, and is often recommended for beginners. It also makes reeds under the La Voz and Mitchell Lurie names. Vandoren which also makes mouthpieces is a popular French brand. Other French brands, some lesser known than others, include Selmer which also makes clarinets , Rigotti, Marca, Glotin, and Brancher. If you're still relatively new to playing, Rico and Vandoren are both highly recommended brands. Decide what strength you'll need. Most reed manufacturers sell reeds in strengths from 1 to 5, often in half-steps.
A 1 would be the softest, and a 5 would be the hardest. Some brands use "soft", "medium", and "hard" instead. It's more difficult to correct the pitch with a harder reed, but it also means that changing dynamics won't result in pitch variations as easily. It's also more difficult to play low pitches softly with a hard reed, but altissimo notes are easier to reach. A softer reed makes playing easier - the reed speaks more easily, and gives a lighter, brighter sound.
However, there is a greater chance for pitch variations as you play, though it is easier to correct the pitch with your embouchure. High notes can be difficult to achieve with a soft reed. Also, fast tonguing 16th notes at 90 or more BPM can be harder on softer reeds. Decide on a cut. Reeds come in either "regular" or "French file" cuts. Cut won't matter to a beginning student, but file-cut reeds generally have a faster response time, and the few extra bucks to buy them are definitely worth it.
You can identify a regular-cut reed as having the cane on the bottom meet the sanded part in a clean U-shape. On a file-cut reed, part of the "U" has been shaved down a bit to create a flat edge on the thick cane see image. Players with darker-sounding mouthpieces may prefer filed reeds, while ones with brighter-sounding ones will stick with regular-cut ones. Go to the music store and buy a box of reeds. It's okay to buy one or two, but the more reeds you have, the more good ones you have, and buying in bulk will save you a lot of trips to the music store.
A box of ten clarinet reeds should last the average player a few weeks, but you can always choose to buy more just in case. Once you open the box, inspect each reed individually and throw out any that have visible splits or cracks. In most cases, a clarinetist will discard reeds from each box of In addition to splits or cracks, keep an eye out for uneven grain, knots, or discolored reeds.
Throw the duds out, and keep at least 3 reeds to play with at all times. Along with purchasing the right reeds for your ability, caring for and maintaining your clarinet reeds is equally important. Store clarinet reeds in a case that protects them from moisture and extreme temperatures.
Remember to switch your reeds out often, and avoid playing the same clarinet reed more than two days in a row. Keep an eye on the date, and switch out the reeds as necessary. Some clarinetists prefer to use checkmarks as a monitoring system.
As the reeds dry out, they warp. Instead, store them in the plastic or paper sleeves they came in. 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.
Find your favorite at any one of our online or in-store music retailers. Our machines cut the reed based on the cut V12, V21, Traditional, 56 rue Lepic, etc. Variation in your reed rotation line-up is an advantage. You can tackle any music situation knowing you have a few different reeds that could work. Seattle born clarinetist, Levana Cohen is an avid performer and music educator.
Levana's life as a NY based freelance musician has made her into an extremely versatile musician performing and teaching in a multitude of different genres. In performance, these genres include the ballet, pit orchestra, opera, chamber music both in the concert hall and for house parties , studio musician recording for TV and radio , and the occasional concerto. Currently, Levana perform as the Principal Clarinetist for the Astoria Symphony Orchestra and appears at universities nation-wide leading masterclasses, clinics and performing recitals and concertos.
As a committed and devoted music educator, Dr. Cohen enjoys teaching students of all ages. Apart from helping her students find their true, unique voice on their instrument, one of her highest priorities at the college level is to prepare her students for successful careers in music. She performs on Buffet Tosca clarinets and uses Vandoren mouthpiece, ligature and reed products.
Vandoren Products Reeds.
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