Clarinet Reed Basics: Make them play better and last longer
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 2 มิ.ย. 2014
- Michelle Anderson, founder of Clarinet Mentors (www.learnclarinetnow.com), presents a clarinet lesson on how to break in new reeds, and have them last longer and play better. There is a worksheet to go along with the video at: www.clarinetmentors.com/resour...
Other reed videos that may interest you include:
How to improve a warped reed: • Clarinet Lesson: Quick...
How to place reeds better on the clarinet: • Clarinet Reed Adjustme...
How to adjust reeds to improve them: • Fix reeds - Clarinet r... - เพลง
As a molecular biologist, I will tell you that our saliva contains no enzymes that would "break down" the cellulose, hemicellulose, pectin, and lignin in the cell walls of cane . But saliva does contain proteins and bacteria. Both can adhere to the fibers of the reed and dampen its elasticity. We know for certain that older reeds contain abundant numbers of of the bacterium Staphylococcus epidermidis growing in the fibers of the reed. While this bacterium is a normal part of the flora of our bodies and is not pathogenic, it nonetheless has the potential to dampen elasticity. Hydrating the cane in pure water may be helpful here. Some players use 3% hydrogen peroxide to kill the bacteria, but this may also alter the cell wall polymers. Others swear by germicidal mouthwash.
The primary reason that older reeds become less elastic (and thus seem less responsive) is that the rapid vibration of the cane (overtones of some high notes on the clarinet at least 10 kHz) actually alters the chemical bonds in the cells walls of the cane. This is a physical / mechanical degradation. Think of the fibers of your toothbrush as they break down with continued use. The same applies here. One way of dealing with this inevitable degradation is to have at least 12 reeds of high quality that you rotate, rather than playing one reed until it "dies." This strategy is much better because one does not gradually alter one's embouchure to accommodate a constantly deteriorating reed.
I prefer to maintain my reeds in sealed, airtight food containers with a Boveda constant humidity packet at 72% relative humidity. This prevents the "crinkled tip" phenomenon observed when reeds are dried completely at low relative humidity.
I came for a clarinet lesson not a whole essay but I’m grateful you typed it out for us nonetheless.
Michael, thanks for deeper understanding of reeds - that we have daily in use, but usually don't pay attention that should deserve...
well thank you Michael for the detailed explanation!
@bloodynoses I think your first mistake was watching the most long winded woman on earth explain a few simple concepts in 20 minutes
Good info...really good and makes sense
I have been playing clarinet for nearly 60 years and I never knew about drying reeds with the flat side up before putting them away. Can hardly wait to try it! Thanks for a great session.
Great information...I have moved to using H2O only, dry the reeds afterwards, and store in a humidifier case. Rotate 6 reeds, and in addition, every two months I soak the reeds in hydogen peroxide as it removes all the bacteria. Then rinse the reeds in fresh water, dry off and restore in the case. I found reed life has been extended by 4 months....by just setting up a regime to follow daily. I do break in the reeds, but use a different time scale. Your info is of great value. 👍
Thank you very much! No one has ever taught me anything about preserving reeds, so as I am now becoming a better player, videos like this help a lot.
You've got a new subscriber! :)
Can’t tell you how helpful your channel is. I’m in my forties and am just about to start learning the clarinet in preparation for going into music education. I’ve played trumpet all my life but clarinet is entirely new to me. My first box of reeds arrives in the mail tomorrow, so I’ll be getting started soon.
Thank you Michelle, I am a beginner and I really appreciate what you are teaching us in your very reassuring way.
Heve a great new year 2020!
Irene
Really helpful reminders about the basics of how each reed is different and should be handled and treated as such. Call it reed sensitivity training!
Thank you for a great video. I've just bought myself a 2nd hand Bundy Bb Clarinet. As a trumpet and trombone player, I'm keen to expand my repertoire of instruments and all this new knowledge of reeds has helped greatly.
Hi. Great video. I'm a newbie, but a very fast learner, and am loving the quick learning curve of learning to play and enjoy the clarinet. My aunt gifted me her vintage Buffet e11 and I love it. I have watched several of your videos on here and have learned so much. You are very well-worded and organized in your presentations. Looking forward to watching more. Jason
Thanks for this demonstration, especially the tips about reed placement on the mouthpiece.
I so very much appreciate the density of info...youtube videos are typically a hair pulling exercise---wading through fluff to get to the info! THANK YOU!
Thanks for this explanation! It's so helpful.
Wow, every time I watch you i learn something. As a "second time" beginner (playing in 6th grade and putting it in mouth balls until now at 60 years old), I either didn't remember our forgot about taking the reed off after playing. I was leaving it on and just covering the mouthpiece with the metal sleeve.
Thank you
Not that long for me stopped playing for a year
Great tips, thanks Michelle Anderson!
Thanks for your kind and clear explanations at every video,so I don`t feel any need to
cost for attending school.
Great details and visual to make what you're saying clear. Thanks so much!
Thanks. I'm glad this was helpful. Reeds can make a big impact on how easily we play, for sure.
Hi thank you so much for explanation that was very helpful my dad was player for 60 years he did past away 20 years ago i did not try to learn of him when he was alive im regret but i learn lot from your video highly thankful for your help God bless you
Hi, Very happy to look at all your videos. I have tried your system on braking reeds and it works perfect for me. Thanks for the tip on how to adjust the reed on the mouth peace.
I'm glad these are helpful tips for you!
I'm a raw beginner and the videos you put out are very enlightening. I've watched several now and will watch others as I hopefully progress. Until I watched the ones on reeds and found an explanation for why I thought I was going backwards I was about ready to jack it in. I'm in the UK and really value your mentor-ship. Cy.
Thanks, Cy!
Thanks, this is something that we can't hear enough of. Kind of like remembering our root knowledge
This has been extremely helpful.
You helped me so much. Thank you
Thanks for the ideas I will try them out
This is a good video on clarinet reed position tips and lesson.
Thank goodness I found this channel... :-)
I'm always amazed at how quickly people turn over their reeds and buy new. Mine last a long time (almost a year) but I couldn't tell you how many hours per reed as I rotate between bass clarinet, clarinet, alto & tenor saxophone. I primarily play bass clarinet in a community band, not often a soloist and am a decent but not professional player by any means. I live in the desert SW and reeds get DRY. I keep mine moisture controlled (62% typically, some 72% for rehearsals) and break them in slowly. I rotate 8 reeds each for both bass clarinet and soprano. I wet in distilled water and finish popsickle style until it feels right when at home practicing. I finish by rinsing in the distilled water and wiping the reed dry. They don't develop mold often because I always brush my teeth etc... before playing but when they do show some coloration (and I like the reed!) I soak briefly in grain alcohol (Everclear) and then rinse in distilled water to kill the mold and wipe the surface with a paper towel. I've not followed any sorting system and don't generally adjust my reeds much, usually after the break-in I'll use the Vandoren roughened glass and glass stick to smooth a bit. I rarely have to flatten a reed. Maybe I'm not too picky because I'm not auditioning for a job! I throw reeds away when they lose their articulation, feel too soft or the tip gets nicked or splits. I'd expect MOST students are probably ok with less stringent methods like mine which doesn't take much effort. Exceptions being music majors, soloists and professionals.
I keep new reeds humidified in tupperware (ziplocs work great too). I use D'Addario Reed Vitalizer cases (in a ziploc due to the climate) and buy the Humidipaks directly from the maker Boveda in bulk (packs of ten).
Just sharing my thoughts, nice video!
Thanks Brian, it sounds like you are doing everything possible to maximize your reed life. Others could certainly learn from you.
Thank you so much for helping me adjust and save my reeds. I am new and play by ear. I have not studied music theory but love music. I am a pastor and professor at a seminary and enjoy practicing,learning , improving. I play the flute in church but have enjoyed the deep sound of the Clarinet. Thanks for you help. Manny Ortiz
Hallo Manny. I also play by ear - now, because of 10 months of musical lock-down i posting tunes ( mostly on clarinet ) daily - check my channel and join me playing songs you like... can even drop speed on YT to feel comfortable;)
Very helpful! Thank you
Thank you for a most informative video. Reeds and mouth pieces information I find very useful and this one on reeds is excellent and I have learnt a lot. I would like one on different mouthpieces and how to choose one which would be easier to play and produce a better sound than the one which comes with the clarinet.
Great idea Colyn. Mouthpieces do respond differently for different people, but perhaps a video on "how to pick the best one for you" would be helpful. Thanks for the suggestion.
i love your help cause im just starting out this was the first video i went to and it was really helpful i need to know where you got that reed case it is the nicest case i've seen
Wolf God I love my reed case. It was made my a craftsman here in Vancouver, and I believe that he has retired from the case making business. If he ever starts again, I'll definitely post a link!
Great video. Thanks a lot
Now I want to live in a reed case!
I play the oboe do all if my reeds come with a padded plastic case. I don't have to worry about storage either because of this. Quite helpful and I think all reeds should come like this
Hello, thank you very much for the videos. Regarding the way to moisten the reeds, it happened to me that they almost always got black spots of fungus or something similar, I moistened them with tap water, one day I stopped using that method and began to moisten them with my saliva , and it never happened to me again.
I solved a lot of those reed problems by using Legere. I think that for beginners or people who rather play than fiddle with reeds, the strict consistency of Legere is superb. You can pick up a new one and find it plays very much like an old one and two new ones will be exceedingly close in response. Once you find the proper strength, you can confidently play on new reeds with the same confidence as for the old reeds. A real benefit to beginners. Also, I find that the Legere's last so much longer than cane and are so much more resistant to warping and damage. Michelle, what do you think?
Thanks Bob. The Legere reeds are definitely a good hassle-free alternative to cane. I especially like the new European cut.
Great info thanks God bkess you
Hello, I noticed that in this video you mentioned having multiple reeds ready to play and not just playing on one until it dies. Wouldn't that just allow me to burn through my reed supply faster? Or would this method prolong my reed supply because I'm not over playing on a single on? Thanks
sooo helpful!!
Thanks for all your help!
Can you make a vid on how to identify a reed which needs work, and how to work on it using sandpaper . . etc?
thanks!
Eric Leong This video may help: th-cam.com/video/d9MJcpYIikw/w-d-xo.html. You can also check out any videos on reeds that Tom Ridenour has posted. He has a great system for improving reeds.
You might have just helped me figure out why I'm killing my bari sax reeds very quickly. I notice some vertical splits on a couple that laid flat side down, which were not there when I took them off the mouthpiece. Do you think this could be the cause, and if I were to face the back upwards could it fix this very expensive problem?
Michele, rotating reeds works really well, and each individual reed lasts a lot longer
I agree! Thanks Brian.
Hi Michelle!
How long do you soak the reeds in the water glass?
How long do you keep the reed in your mouth before playing?
I don't know why, but I have a hard time getting these questions answered.
Thanks for the great video and thanks again for you help.
Hi, did you ever find out the answer to this question?
@@jodiegeorge5178 Hi Jodie, I just put the reed in a very small jar of water covering the main part of the read. Then I put my clarinet together and then use the reed, so about 5 minutes. I don't soak it in my mouth but you could do that if you wanted to. The jar I use is about 2 inches by 1 inch, like a small pill jar.
@@kyotosal thank you
Thank you very much for a great video, Michelle. Although I knew some of these things, others were completeley new, and I'll certainly try them.
However, I don't quite understand the problem with making reeds wet with saliva. As we are not herbivores, I don't think we have the enzymes that would digest a reed. And we'll be playing (sometimes for a long time) with the reed in our mouth, so it is bound to get wet with saliva anyway, isn't it? In fact, last summer I was recommended to use saliva with new reeds, 5 minutes a day during several days before starting using them so that the different salts in the saliva could precipitate over the reed and close the pores. This is suppose to prevent waterlogging and increase the life of the reed.
I'd like to thank you as well for all the videos about embouchure. I've been trying to improve mine (which I'm really frustrated about), and have managed some success. However, the "fold" on my chin just won't disappear, no matter what I do. Do you have further advice about it?
Hi Elena, - I agree that whether we soak the reeds in a glass of water or in our mouth, they end up in our mouths anyway, so saliva is unavoidable. I've had some people recommend placing a brand new reed on a flat surface, and then smoothing down the cut part with a wet thumb. This means pressing down firmly and running it down the "slope". This seals the holes as well, although they seem to close up when we play them pretty quickly. On to embouchure - if your chin is giving you trouble, I really recommend literally pulling the skin down with a finger while you just play an open G. (That way your left hand is free.) Even if you just hold that note for a minute, while you coax the muscles into place, your muscles will start to figure out how to do it on their own. They literally have not done that movement before, so you need to teach them and be patient. It will improve!
I have an absolute begginers question I hope you will answer. I have just started learning, I mean literally a couple of days. As my hands hurt and I get out of breath, i need lots of rest sessions. How do I keep the reed moist? Are there any tips or do I just remoisten after every break?
i love the videos. i have been using coconut oil on my reeds instead of water. Is this ok? the clarinet sound great with this
That's very interesting, I'm going to try this
Hi Michelle, thank you for another very helpful video. I think one of my reeds is a bit warped at the top. Can it be salvaged?
Hi Nathalie, If you can see the ripples on the tip, it can be saved...th-cam.com/video/-_XqxkCitJY/w-d-xo.html
Hello Michelle. I´m a returning clarinet player (after a six year college break) and would really like some advice about which reed strenght should I use. The last strenght I used was 3.5 (Usually Vandoren 56). I´m really happy to return to the clarinet and will be usig your videos as a guide. Thanks for the hard work.
+Oscar Contreras Hi Oscar, I'm sure you will be up to 3.5 in a month or two. However, since your mouth muscles will be out of shape, you may want just a few softer ones to help you get started. A 2.5 would be a bit wimpy for high notes. but getting just one or two reeds might help you get going. A 3 might be a nice compromise initially, with the goal of getting back to 3.5 as quickly as possible.
+Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) Thanks a lot! I will have it in mind.
Michelle, I absolutely love your videos and news letters. I presently take private lessons, but have learned many different ways of doing things by watching your videos. I was wondering what your thoughts are about reed cases that use a sponge soaked in Listerine, such as Rejuvenate woodwind reed system. Is this a worthwhile investment? Iv'e also read some people just soak reeds in Listerine for a period of time before storing, Also, I always brush and floss my teeth before I play. I'm probably a little OCD because I carry those disposable tooth brushes with Listerine in them right in my case, does this really help in lengthening the life of my reeds? Thanks for your input. :-)
Laural Dugovic Hi Laural. I actually don't know if Listerine helps to increase reed life. I've heard conflicting opinions, and I haven't given it a good try myself. If I have ever seen mold in someone's case, I recommend that they use hydrogen peroxide on their reeds and cases to sterilize things. I've never heard of any seriously bad consequences to using Listerine or something similar, so you are safe to do so. For me, the most important aspect of a good reed case is that it holds the reeds onto a flat surface to help prevent warping as it dries.
Thanks for you videos. My daughter picked up the clarinet last year. She is a third generation clarinet player. Her play has inspired me to get my clarinet out again after 20 years.
However, my embouchure is awful, tired after just 15mins of play. I have 2.5, 3, and 3.5 strength reeds currently. When I lasted played I was using 4.5 to 5 strength reeds.
Will lowering the reed strength help return embouchure or should I just squeak through the 3.5?
+Steve Zawicki You will probably build muscle strength fairly quickly, but just like weight lifting, you don't want to start way too heavy. If the 3.5 is blowing pretty easily, then use it. If it sounds airy and fuzzy, I would go with the 3's just for a short time. You will likely work your way up in a couple of weeks.
Where are your recommendations for the reeds cases?
good advice thanks. its a pity reed manufacturers have such poor quality control
After using a reed I dip it into my jar of peroxide for a few seconds, then wipe the moisture off of it, let it dry, put it away. I heard someplace that it kills some germs and extends the life of the reed. At any rate, I have never found that it HURTS anything to do it. My "peroxide jar" is a brown glass jar that bread yeast came in, keeps the sunlight out. And I change the peroxide every week.
Great idea. I recommend that as well.
Hi Michelle, I just tried your advice on my warped reed. It does make the reed straight as long as it is wet but then it returns to its warped shape when it dries out. Do you have any suggestion? Thanks!!
You should keep it in a reed case, which will keep it flat and prevent it from warping as it dries
I have many reeds that make the clarinet sound extremely ‘airy’ full of air and with less tone. My best reeds sound pure and there is no airy sound on them.
Why is this? And is there a way to improve the sound of these reeds so they don’t sound airy?
i want to start learning the summer how to play for 7th grade any tips (I am going into 6th grade this year).
You can download this free book that gives you the basics of getting started, and connects you to some good videos as well. www.clarinetmentors.com/resources/HowToPlayClarinetForBeginners.pdf I hope you enjoy it!
My reed turns black very fast and I don't know why any ideas?
And I can't tongue high notes when the tip of my tongue is in the tip of the reed but I can play it lower in the reed what should I do?
Pioneers same I don't know why
Make sure that u don't store your reeds on your mouthpiece when in your case, that can cause reed mold.
my marching band reeds mold quickly.. if you play outside that might be something idk
For the reeds
Don’t leave it on the mouth piece
And the high notes try to cover the holes properly and if it does not work go to a
Instrument store and gate it checked out
Just an FYI.. on your ReedRecommdations PDF handout, the final link, to the Selmer 6 reed case, is broken and no longer being sold on that site.
Thanks for that. I'll have to find a new link!
What number of reeds is best for a bigginner
What should I do if my reed is not making clear sound, it's kind of rustling? Should i buy a new reed or be persistent while the tone gets better?
Usually that kind of sound indicates a reed that is not vibrating well. It could be too stiff. Try other reeds of the same strength. If they all feel that way, it may be a size too high. However, if others work well, you could just have a reed that is not cut properly and parts of it are not vibrating well. Faster air always helps as well.
I have a question. I am a sixth grader and tenuto's are quite difficult for me. Would different reed strengths help or assist me? Thanks!
+Jesse Bittermann I do not think it is a reed issue. Sometimes tonguing just takes a while to learn. These videos may help: th-cam.com/video/26VnRcLNRSI/w-d-xo.html.
Legato, staccato th-cam.com/video/i4ty3BHQ2dA/w-d-xo.html
Do you find that playing old reeds make the instrument sound lackluster, like the "sparkle" has gone? I don't mean to say flat but just blah. Back when I used to play a lot, I noticed that. Nothing I did was able to bring it back. Replaining the back or trimming the tongue did nothing. It was just blah.
Yes. I think eventually reeds to lose their resonance. It is a sad fact of clarinet life.
do you have to wet the reed everytime you play? why is my clarinet so fickle? it is all squeaks tonight.
Margene Withoutborders a reed is kinda of a living thing. it comes from a plant so it has fibers in it. if you play it without wetting it first it it kills the fibers and the reed sounds bad.
If only i found this video before I started playing ;-;
As a new player, one thing that strikes me is that few people seem to regard reeds as consumables. Even if you look after them, they have a finite life. Even the midrange / professional reeds are hardly what I'd consider to be expensive. Once a reed is broken in, I wonder if it's false economy to treat them like your firstborn and expect decades of life from them. What I don't know, as a beginner, is how to tell when it's time to scrap a reed.
What if you don't have any different strength reeds
you buy more
How long should a reed last for? Considering I take good care of it?
Connor Pawlowski Hi Connor, I wish there was a standard expiry date on reeds. That would make life easier! Some reeds just last longer than others, even given the same attention and care. If you are an average player, rotating between at least 2 reeds, they will likely sound good for about 3 weeks. Some will give out sooner, and some will last longer. If you are playing more than an hour a day, they will give out sooner. I use several reeds, and generally keep each reed in circulation for about a month. If you are always testing new reeds, you can more easily compare your older reeds to that standard. If you play one or two reeds for months, you may not recognize when they have past their best playing time.
Thank you, I used to play Clarinet in 5 grade then switched over to Bass Clarinet in 6th till now when Im starting my Sophomore year in high school, Just bought a Plastic reed and have been trying that one out!
A plastic reed will last longer. The Legere reeds are especially good for bass clarinet.
I will keep that In mind! I bought a Bari Plastic reed
Very good that you not espouse a belief about something that probably makes considerable indifference. We've pre-soked oboe reeds for time out of mind. I wonder if even orchestral professionals might develop conclusions about issues that might be confusingly different one time from another.
Great video! I soak mine in water😊
Isnt playing on a new reed for more than 2 minutes going to kill it?
I don't think I've killed any reeds that way, although I've had casualties through other mishaps. There are many schools of thought about what works best, and I'm sure some people believe playing for 10 minutes is way too long, and others would play for an hour on a new reed. I guess you need to figure out what works for you.
Yes!
Interesting post from Michael Montague a year ago. It seems scientifically true the reed is getting less elastic using saliva but that is the same as an Olympic trampoline being used by the first contestant compared to the last contestant. They don't replace the trampoline because the first contestant has taken some of the 'bounce' out or because if you perform last, you will have less elasticity to perform with. The trampoline is still good enough to work ! The 'Less Elastic' reed may be making no difference whatsoever to the listener or player, making it a debate only for the purist or fact seeker. Listen to the songs you love the most by the best reed players and wonder .. "Should I ask these 'greatest reed players of all time' whether they water soaked the reeds or saliva soaked them ? Be prepared, they might laugh at you ! They put whichever reed they had in, stuck a Neumann or AKG414 on it and pressed record on the 24 track 2 inch tape machine. Et Voila ! Immense talent, awesome phrasing and a moderate reed in almost all cases. Moderate talent, moderate phrasing and a Universe-beating reed still doesn't quite cut-it. My motto is simple .. "Never care more for your Reeds than you care for your Children" ! :-)
Gees, at first I thought that was a shot of vodka to moist your reed.
+justacondom Only on late night gigs...:)
With the reeds it almost feels like, if the clarinet was a violin, it's still stuck on gut strings, and finnickie, with no synthetic strings in sight to make life easier.
I know, that there are synthetic reeds, but apparently those are only good for marching band as of yet (AND one legere reed costs 32€???)
New reed: What I do is I suck all of the left over fibers and not all then I wet it in my mouth when Im putting my clarinet together
Our teachers say to never soak it in water
I like to stick them in my mouth to get them wet. Lol. They taste pretty good and it is easy. Playing more than one reed at a time. That is an interesting concept. I just got back into playing my clarinet. I used to be pretty good in school but felt i was held back by my classmates and got bored. I could play way more music than them and when we went to the whole band it was boring. I really liked when i did the all city performances. We played more challenging music and had better sound.
Thanks for the pointers, really helpful, I have only gone through 2 reeds since the video, I used to go through like 5!
That's a big difference. I always like keeping reeds around longer, especially if they are good ones.
Clarinet Mentors (Michelle Anderson) and now im showing the video to all my friends