What strength clarinet reed should I use?

Reeds come in a range of strengths, expressed in numbers 1 through 5+, with half sizes in between. The higher the number, the harder or more resistant the reed. Beginners, especially young people, will usually start with a #2 or #2.5, and will typically aim towards a #3 or #3.5 as they begin to play high C and above.

What size clarinet reed should a beginner use?

The best reed for beginner clarinet is a size 2 or 2.5 reed. Most beginners start with Rico, Rico Royal, or Vandoren Brand Clarinet Reeds.

What is the difference between clarinet reed sizes?

Reeds vary in strength in half measures – a bit like shoe sizes! – so they start at 1 ½, 2, 2 ½ , 3, 3 ½, etc. The number refers to how thick the reed is. A thicker reed is more difficult to play but thicker reeds do offer a much better tone production and thus improve the sound of an instrument.

How long should a clarinet reed last?

For those just starting out, reeds can last up to six months. Once you play and practice more frequently, this “cycle” can take anywhere from 2-4 weeks. Once you become more comfortable with the clarinet, you’ll have a general idea of when you should be replacing your reeds.

How long should I soak my clarinet reed?

Your reeds will be less likely to warp and will last much longer. ➢ Before playing, soak the reed for no more than 30 seconds. The reed should be moist but not water logged! procedure will greatly lengthen the life of your reed.

How long should clarinet reeds last?

How do you know if you need a harder reed?

You feel like have to blow extremely hard to get notes to come out. Your tone sounds airy or dull. You experience embouchure fatigue, with air out of the corners of your mouth and/or pain caused by biting into your lower lip. You have trouble playing in tune (tending sharp) especially in the high register.

How do you tell if a reed is too soft?

Too Hard, Too Soft, or Just Right In this case, try a lower reed strength. If you’re playing on a 3, then move down to 2.5. When the reed is too soft, you’ll get a buzzy sound right out of the box. People compare this to playing on paper.

Should you soak clarinet reeds?

Soak your reeds in plain tap water before each use. This is preferable to holding them in your mouth to get them wet. There is a lot of protein in reed cane. Your reeds will last longer, and play better when you soak them first in plain tap water, rather than holding them in your mouth, before using them.

How can you tell if a reed is bad?

If you’re noticing that the tip of your reed is chipped or that your clarinet reed is otherwise cracked or damaged, it’s time to replace the reed. Here’s why: reeds vibrate at a very high frequency and, as you’ve probably already guessed, damaged reeds can’t vibrate as quickly as their undamaged counterparts.

What’s the difference between 2 and 3 reeds?

Keep in mind, however, that what one brand calls a 2 1/2 may be another brand’s 2 or 3. Also, a box of 2 1/2s will have some variants… some that are closer to a hard 2, or a soft 3. A harder reed gives a heavier, thicker, and fuller sound.

How many reeds do you need for a soprano clarinet?

If on soprano your reed strength is 2 1/2. On bass clarinet you go down to a 2 or sometimes, depending on the person, you might even go down to 1 1/2.

Which is the best brand of clarinet reeds?

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.

How is the hardness of a clarinet reed determined?

The system ranges from 1 to 5, and uses half numbers to help evaluate the hardness. The higher the number, the harder the reed. The goal of any clarinetist is to play the hardest reed they can handle, as the sound improves with each increment.