hi all

Just wondered, what size of clarinet reeds are you all using? im currently a 2.5
Thanks,
Dx

Vandoren standard (blue box), strength 3.

Just pointing out that your poll is limited. Not wanting to appear critical but when you review the results please bear in mind that: Strength is not universal accross all reed brands. See this link http://www.vandoren.fr/en/reedcompar.html
I've found i like the Vandoren rue lepic reeds and am playing 3.5 at the moment but found a bit hard. 3 is equivalent to about a trad 2.75 (if it existed!!)
Also depends on mouthpiece - different mps have different reed recommendations. For Vandoren see here: http://www.vandoren.fr/en/tab3.html Don't know about other makes.

I like Mitchell Lurie, strength 3 or 3.5

I use 2.5 undecided at the moment whether I prefer V12 or 56 Rue Lepic.

Vandoren 2.5 or maybe Mitchell Lurie 2.5/3. Can't stand Vandoren on sax, though ...

nick

I'm not sure how much this is really going to tell anyone.

Not only do reeds vary in stiffness between manufacturers, but I find a box of reeds of supposedly the same grade can vary by what feels like at least half a grade.

It really depends on the MP you're using. When I go on marches with our band, I take my Hanson student clarinet, B45 MP and a low strength reed. When you're walking over narrow cobbled streets, you don't worry about your tone!!!

Rehearsals and concerts I take another clarinet and use a M15 MP or my old 5RV (both with narrow tips) with anything from 3, 3.5 or 4 reeds.

At home I'll try anything. Even pieces of cardboard/wood can give quite interesting sounds! You can easily use a sax reed. When I first got a sax I tried my clarinet reed on it and vice versa.

The reed is just a piece of dry grass. It vibrates the air. It needs the bottom smoothing so it will sit flat on the MP. It needs the tip examining against a strong light to make sure it's symmetrical.

Occasionally I have a reed that just won't behave, but that's due to its intrinsic elasticity. Most reeds can be tamed with a bit of scraping, sanding, smoothing etc.

Steve

Snap - I occaisionally use the Rue Lepic but tend to always have blue box 3s around for Bb, Eb and bass.

I prefer Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic strength 3 but also use Vandoren blue box same strength. Like Jon S says though the strength can vary enormously so when I get one that plays nicely, I keep it going until it falls apart. I have tired a bit of scraping, but usually make things worse

Once the reed has lost its elasticity, springness...whatever you call it... then nothing can save it.

The scraping, sanding, balancing etc has to be done to prepare the reed at the beginning.

The reed is/was a living thing. Its elasticity is due the millions of long lignin molecules all linked.

As you play it, they get broken.

Like a bow and arrow.

You can stretch a long piece of wood just so many times till it finally becomes weaker.

If it were not the case, our museums would be full of bows from Robin Hood, Agincourt etc!

But they're full of dinosaurs etc!

Oh... and bored schoolteachers with their classes!

Steve

Vandoren standard 3 here too We ought to be careful otherwise Car Expert will form a club for us!

I find I need a slightly softer reed for bass.



Top tip - when you find one that plays nicely, try to find another. It's almost a given that it will fall apart the day before a concert, exam, audition, festival or any other Big Musical Event.

I use a 3 1/2 + Vandoren Rue lupic and really like them. I used to use 4 1/2 Mitchell Lurie. However I only use a Vandoren Classic strength 3 on bass.

I use Vandorren 2.5 for my Bb Clarinet. I personally prefer to play on Rico Royal, but my teacher has banned me from using them! I have had more response from the Vandorren though.

I use Rico Royal 2 for my Bass Clarinet. I tried Vandorren on Bass and found it incredibly hard to play on! I seem to need a lower strength reed for my Bass. Anyone know why?

I use Vandorren 3 for my Eb Clarinet. The best reed for the job. Anyone know why I need a higher strength for this?

I'm a vandoren 3,
xx