Properly matched, a reed should be able to do what is asked of it regardless of what strength it is. Many thanks. Though I play on harder reeds in general, this is not meant to promote harder reeds. Number the slots of the holder. Reeds vary in strength in half measures – a bit like shoe sizes! So the reed is a very important part of a clarinet. This post is meant to be general guideline as to which strength and type of reed you should choose. Every reed manufacturer has their own system for marking a reed from soft to hard, but normally they use a scale where the strength of the reed is determined by how high the number is. Today, we answer the age-old question... "What strength reed should I use?" Beginners will start on a soft reed usually a … Professionals and advanced students generally use 4 or 4-1/2. The system ranges from 1 to 5, and uses half numbers to help evaluate the hardness. Answer Save. thanks. Right now I have a two reed, and am not sure if it is good or not? Lv … 3-1/2 is appropriate for most intermediate players (7th-8th grade). 0 0. Choose a Strength . And the answer...well, it depends. Read the store blog for Music & Arts in San Dimas CA, CA. Update: I am a Tenor saxophone and this is my second year playing it but I played clarinet two years ago. In situations where volume is what you are looking for, a harder reed would be better. thanks. Recent developments include Fibracell synthetic reeds which … What reed should I use? I use van doren 3.5 reeds on sax, but I’m completely new to clarinet and understand that the embouchure is somewhat different. Shop for Reeds. If your reeds are too hard, your sound will be fuzzy and you will get tired easily. You have several good options on the mouthpiece situation. I told her she should get a 1 1/2 but I'm not sure. There are several factors that determine the reed strength. What reed strength should I use? Because Java 2.5 should be same strength with Trad 2 if our concept is correct (Trad is 1/2 harder than many other reed in same strength). – so they start at 1 ½, 2, 2 ½ , 3, 3 ½, etc. Most reed manufacturers produce reeds in different strengths, often in half-steps from 1 to 5. I've already decided what type of reeds I'm getting, (Vandoren Java reds) but i need to decide if I'm ordering strength 3 or 3.5 reeds, any help would make my day. Eb clarinets as well as C clarinets (aimed at younger children) use Eb reeds. Also to keep them flat and as fresh as possible, investing in a reed holder is veryuseful. 1 decade ago. 2 Answers. In very simple terms – the higher the number the ‘stronger’ or harder the reed. The higher the number, the harder the reed. Obviously, the experience of the player, but's that not all there is to it. However, I found Trad 2 is much softer than 2.5. I started off with a medium reed but couldn't play it and I used a plastic reed just to learn the fingerings. Afterwars, I bought medium-soft reeds, and after a while used medium. Moving up reed strengths at the right time will allow you to produce a better sound, expand your range of high notes, and refine your dynamic range. Play the correct reed strength If your reeds are too soft, you will play out of tune and you won't be able to play higher notes with a good sound. Oboe and bassoon reeds are most commonly offered in five strengths: Soft, Medium Soft, Medium, Medium Hard, and Hard. When buying a reed , you should begin with the saxophone itself (ie. Reed maintenance & care; When to Change a Reed; Synthetic reeds vs cane; Cane Reeds for Saxophone; The 5 Best Cane Reed Tips: Don’t be afraid of using soft saxophone reeds: It is a myth that you need to play a hard reed to be a good player. The bigger the opening of the mouthpiece, the softer the reed and vice versa. What strength should I start out with? The strength of the reed will vary with the mouthpiece. I have been playing oboe for a little over a year now. Synthetic vs. Cane. I currently play clarinet, grade 3 and use 2 1/2 reeds. http://www.scottpaddocksaxschool.com - Check out my brand new Sax School! Reeds are a strange part of the Woodwind players arsenal – on the one hand, a good reed can make all the difference to a players tone. I can not play it on a #3 reed, I have to use a 1 1/2 and even then my embouchre gets tired after awhile. Beginners usually start with a 1, 1 ½ or even 2 strength reed. So how do you know if you’re playing on the correct strength reed? Reed brand and strength is a personal choice; there is no one "right" reed to use. Ideally, you should discuss face to face with an expert. My take-home advice is to use the strength of reed that allows you to play with the best tone/tuning YOU can produce (well, and allows a good range of dynamic as well). My clarinet reed strength is Mitchell Lurie 3 or Vandoren 2 to 2.5, if clarinet and oboe reed strengths are comparable at all. Learn about what reed strength is, why you should care, and what to keep in mind when switching reed brands. Montreal Canadiens Fan 1011. That seems a little strong to me. I have a RIA alto sax mouthpiece that I use that has great volume, projection, and is very expressive, but it is extremely open. Clarinets (and saxophones) are instruments that use a single reed unlike the double reed of the oboe and bassoon (). Recently, I switched from alto to tenor saxophone for marching band, Since I play a 4 strength reed on alto, I thought I would be able to play 4 strength on a tenor, boy was I wrong. Hi, I'm about to buy my first Sax, a Yamaha YAS-275, and i need to know what strength reeds to buy. (They have other models, and if you can try them out that's great -- but if you don't know what you're looking for then just get the B5.) Hi, I'm about to buy my first Sax, a Yamaha YAS-275, and i need to know what strength reeds to buy. I can't remember what I started out on, so someone help please? I've been playing clarinet for 5 years, and two of my friends have been playing it just as long as i have. I only have 3, and I was thinking it was too much for a beginner. The reed strength number has the main function of letting you buy the right reed next time. Also are there any reeds that are better than others of the same strength. While most saxophone players use basic cane reeds, synthetic reeds are also used every so often. i play the alto sax and when i started i used a 2 so i think you could just use a 2 1/2. Mamianka. Use a reed holder which can hold four reeds. The bigger the space, the lighter the reed you should try first. I need backup reeds, but don't know what strength to get. We will start with reed strengths. The higher the number, the thicker and harder the reed and the more resistance there will be in playing. tenor, baritone or alto), then look at the brand (ie. Relevance. Reeds are marked with a number. What size reed should i use? Music & Arts offers an excellent selection of band instruments to rent, music lessons and instruments for sale. The reed strength matches with the opening off the mouthpiece. Strength Reed strength is measured in numbers in half measurements from 1 up to 5. I was wondering what strength of reed she should use. I use several different mouthpieces depending on circumstances and mood. While a hard reed can make it seem easier to play loud and high with a better tone, it is far more useful to develop your embouchure and breath … What strength should I buy? In general, the larger the tip opening, t One would be a Rico B5. They all use #3 reeds but i feel more comfortable using a 2 (i've used #2 ever since my first year). I have used medium reeds for maybe one or two months and my reed just broke so I went buy one and I got a Medium-hard reed. What strength? Listen to your teacher or band director if they suggest you move to a harder reed. The goal of any clarinetist is to play the hardest reed they can handle, as the sound improves with each increment. Also are there any reeds that are better than others of the same strength. If you are comfortable with Rico #2s, buy them next time. Michelle Anderson presents a clarinet lesson on how to choose a reed that best suits your level of playing. Where you want to be quiet and breathy, you might use a softer reed. Synthetic reeds aren’t affected by temperature or changes in moisture, and also last a lot longer than their cane counterparts. HelP??? Reeds must be moistened before use as this improves flexibility and the reed will have the best chance of functioning correctly. If you need to match reeds to mouthpieces, you also needed to match reed strength to whatever suits your air support, control, and embouchure best. In general, the more open the tip is, the softer the reed you want to use. What Reed Strength should you Use? Clarinet reeds come in various strengths, and use a number system. For more clarification on reed strength, speak with your child’s music instructor. 0 0. alyssa l. A bad reed can be the bane of the players existence! I often use different strength reeds for different mouthpieces, for different situations. Reed Rotation. Finding that sweet spot in reed strength - not too hard, and not too soft - is key to getting a solid tone throughout the range of your instrument. I'm teaching my younger cousin how to play the clarinet, which she has never done before. These 3 reed is about 1/2 to 1/3 harder than many other reed (like Java) Thus, I would say Trad's strength = V-16 = ZZ. Your music teacher or private instructor can help lead you through the process of finding the brand and strength of reed that best fits you. This is because everyone has individual preferences and choosing the right reed is subjective. I currently play clarinet, grade 3 and use 2 1/2 reeds. Not every brand uses these numbers to show the strengths, some use “soft”, “medium” and “hard” instead. Here are telltale signs to look for. Strength 3 is a bare minimum for playing in the upper register. Even a range would be helpful. The reed, together with the mouthpiece onto which the reed is fixed makes the air in the instrument vibrate when you blow into it (technically speaking: create acoustic waves). I have been asked that question SO many times. Unless you are a risk taker, in which case you try #4s. The thickness or strength of the reed in relation to the air strength of the player will affect the tone quality produced. 1 ½, 2 ½, 3 ½, etc every so.... 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