Bass clarinet reeds are much larger, about the width of one's thumb, and clarinet reeds are more similar to the little finger. If your clarinet has a darker-sounding mouthpiece, French file cuts are typically preferred. The comprehensive strength charts below compare popular cane strengths to the matching Légère reed strength and cut. ", "This was very helpful. I’ll also let him know to pay attention to whether his reeds are getting waterlogged. Because they are so durable, easy to use, and long-lasting, synthetic reeds are a good idea for. 1 decade ago. 4.4 out of 5 stars 696. There are many advantages to making clarinet reeds by hand. The base of the reed is at least 3 mm thick and the reeds for the clarinets used in the U.S. are 69 mm long. On bass clarinet you go down to a 2 or sometimes, depending on the person, you might even go down to 1 1/2. 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 Reed Strength Comparison Chart. First is the ability to tailor them to a specific mouthpiece by adjusting the vamp contour, widening or narrowing the heart as it tapers toward the tip, and positioning the response curve closer or further away from the tip. 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. Should she try a softer reed than the hardness she uses with her Bb 3? Reeds of the same brand and grade can still vary in strength. I am very grateful for that, thanks. A 4 reed will change your embouchure more than a 2 1/2 will. Although clarinet reeds come in different strengths and cuts, choosing a good reed is crucial for producing quality sounds and tones. Take green reeds and leave them somewhere for a few months - sometimes they improve themselves over time. Please help us continue to provide you with our trusted how-to guides and videos for free by whitelisting wikiHow on your ad blocker. Other sizes of clarinets include an Eb (E flat) clarinet which is smaller than the standard Bb clarinet. Reed strengths can vary between manufacturers. If you're allergic to cane, coated reeds are available just for people with your allergy like the Rico Plasticover. My child plays the clarinet and her friend plays the saxophone. The best reed for beginner clarinet is a size 2 or 2.5 reed. 0 0. In order to avoid accidentally playing the same reed over and over, write the date on the back of a reed you’ve just started playing. Can I use a bass clarinet reed on a Bb clarinet, and is there a major difference? Generally, single reeds are labeled on a scale of 1 to 5 in increments of half sizes (1 being softer than 5), while double reeds (used by oboe, English horn, and bassoon) are labeled soft, medium-soft, medium, medium-hard, or hard. Don't CONSTANTLY upgrade your reed size OR start with anything greater than a 2 1/2 (i recommend starting on 2's however). The goal of any clarinetist is to play the hardest reed they can handle, as the sound improves with each increment. The body of the instrument is typically constructed of wood. However, there is a greater chance for pitch variations as you play, though it is easier to correct the pitch with your. (And really, did they HAVE to kill off a clarinetist?) (For example, a Rico 2 is more flexible than a Vandoren 2.) Are there certain reeds that won't produce a good sound if it's not compatible with my mouthpiece? Vandoren does create 4.5 reeds. wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. 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