claribeth
Band Nerd
"I love band! Band is my life! If I didn't have band, I think I'd die!"
Posts: 315
|
Post by claribeth on Aug 26, 2008 19:29:14 GMT -5
^the higher the reed size the thicker it is.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Aug 26, 2008 20:42:09 GMT -5
Eht, no. Thickness is based on the make and "model". The reed size indicates strength.
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 26, 2008 22:33:19 GMT -5
How does strength effect embouchure? Do you get a brighter sound from bigger numbers or littler ones?
|
|
Clariиәrd ♫
Band Nerd
Mmmmm....clarinet tastiness. :)
Posts: 156
|
Post by Clariиәrd ♫ on Aug 27, 2008 19:21:41 GMT -5
Reed+Woodwind mouthpiece is extremely different from brass mouthpieces.
How to explain....hmmm... I'll try not to be confusing. Here I go...
First, in general, there is no "better" or "best" size reed. There are soooo many factors that play into the choice of reed. These include: tip opening of the mouthpiece ligature embouchure, cavity of the mouth, lips, jaw... climate (air conditioning vs. heated or humidity) A lot of musicians will use one type of reed for an outdoor concert and a completely different one for an indoor air conditioned setting.
The strength of the reed is determined by it's flexibility, not so much the thickness, even though the thickness does play a part in it.
A "thinner" sized reed vibrates more freely, while a "thicker" sized reed vibrates in a more constricted. *note, these are not the adjectives I'm looking for. I'm having a brain fart*
The thinner reed has a longer vibration, while a thicker reed has a shorter vibration. *that's a better way to put it*
This is where the tip opening of the mouthpiece comes in. With a wider tip opening, you want to use a longer vibrating reed, a smaller size. On the opposite end, if you have a mouthpiece with a smaller tip opening, use a shorter vibrating reed, a larger size.
Comparing the tip opening to the reed size is excellent for determining the "best" size reed to use with your particular mouthpiece.
Again, there is no "best" reed size. It all depends on *you* and your equipment, including embouchure.
Reeds are so difficult to explain. Oscar, I'd check out the vandoren web site if you want more info on reed instruments. They have some cool stuff there. Watch the site intro, "reed" through the tabs, and just explore. Maybe that would be less confusing than my attempt at explaining, because there's just so much stuff that goes into it!!!!
www.vandoren.com
[/confusingness]
|
|
claribeth
Band Nerd
"I love band! Band is my life! If I didn't have band, I think I'd die!"
Posts: 315
|
Post by claribeth on Aug 29, 2008 20:46:11 GMT -5
^the higher the reed size the thicker it is. EDIT: my bad..that is TWO things they never told us in beginner band(the other thing is a repeat symbol that mean keep on doing what you did in the measure before)
|
|
Deleted
Deleted Member
Posts: 0
|
Post by Deleted on Aug 29, 2008 21:53:20 GMT -5
Thank you for the attempt, clarinerd. That's as good an explanation as I've been able to grasp. I may ask my student teacher--he is a reed player and loves nothing more than explaining things to students.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Aug 31, 2008 20:33:00 GMT -5
If the reed is tooo hard, you will wreck your embou by blowing too hard. You will "leak" out the sides and unduly exhaust yourself. If it's too small your embouchure will atrophy and your tone will be thin and weak... Eww. Reeds will all vibrate at pretty much the same rate if they are being used right because the size you use is most largely determined by the strength of your airstream. If you really want to get into the details, check out the book Clarinet by Jack Brymer from the Yehuidi Menuhin Music Series.
|
|
|
Post by chhsclarinet on Sept 22, 2008 21:26:17 GMT -5
Vandoren 3 1/2s are pretty good. I'm playing on them in marching band and concert band, and it's good enough for both. Just a note though, 3 1/2 Vandorens are like Mitchel Lurie 4's. I don't know what the Rico equivalent is.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Sept 23, 2008 20:40:49 GMT -5
Rico take off about a size and a half and about 5 units of whatever tone quality is measured in.
|
|
claribeth
Band Nerd
"I love band! Band is my life! If I didn't have band, I think I'd die!"
Posts: 315
|
Post by claribeth on Jan 24, 2009 14:57:49 GMT -5
i hate Rico reeds
but,
Rico Royal reeds are amazing! same company but wayyy different reeds!
i mean i like Vandoren but i always seem to get a bad batch with only 2 or 3 really good reeds.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Jan 24, 2009 18:14:12 GMT -5
^ Try V12's. Box is more expensive, but it's checked to have more "good" reeds than blue box. (70% rather than 30%) The switch to Flowpaks has also helped with that. They arrive ready to go- you don't have the "breaking in period" like you do with the old kind.
|
|
hansel2011
Band Nerd
Music expresses the words which can not be spoken...
Posts: 211
|
Post by hansel2011 on Feb 9, 2009 18:05:19 GMT -5
I play on Vandoren. I think it is a pretty good reed. This is my fifth year and I play on 3. But like they said, Vandorens are usually a 1/2 step higher than ricos. Personally, I think Ricos are bad. They crack very easily and do not last long. I tried a 3 1/2 on Vandoren and it was just not good. M tone quality went down the drain. My director told me to stay at 3. I dont think it is the player, I just think it just depends what situation you are in.
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinets on Feb 14, 2009 14:46:52 GMT -5
I have a friend who plays on handmade reeds called Mozarts... does anyone know anything about them?
|
|
|
Post by uscsummermusiclvr on Mar 5, 2009 20:49:47 GMT -5
I'm currently playing of Vandoran 4. I might have to go up to 4 1/2 soon (or, at least during the summer) ><
|
|
|
Post by altoclarinet123 on Apr 8, 2009 14:21:50 GMT -5
I recently switched to Vandoren 56 3 on the Bb from a Vandoren Traditional 3. On my alto I play on Vandoren Traditional 3's, but I am ready for 3 1/2 (I have a box) but I have like a box and a half left of 3's. Heads up to everyone complaining about reed prices. My BD suggested 1stopclarinet.com to me - and it has the cheapest prices! I bought that box of 56's ($43) for only $23! I would suggest stocking up though cause shipping costs money... I am looking for a better brand of alto reeds than Vandoren Traditional to try when I use up my never ending supply of reeds. Any suggestions (that they actually make for alto : would be appreciated!
|
|