How to Put a Reed on a Clarinet

Опубликовал Admin
3-10-2016, 10:35
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Before you can play the clarinet, you have to put a reed on it. The reed is the second most important factor in producing a sound on the clarinet, second only to you, the player. Putting a reed onto a clarinet can be tricky, as the reed is delicate and thin. You must be very careful to ensure that the reed is put on correctly and is in good condition.

Putting on the Reed

  1. Make sure you have a ligature. Ligatures can be made of metal or leather - metal ones are silver colored and usually tighten with two screws. Leather ones are more expensive, are usually black, and normally have only one screw. They usually come with the instrument, but can also be bought separately. Ligatures are universally designed for right-handed players: the screw you turn will point to your right side.
    • Metal ligatures are cheaper, and can work just fine, but tend to have a tendency to "bite" the reed (create indentations on the bottom where the clamps are that make it difficult to change the positioning of the reed after being played once)
    • Leather ligatures are more expensive, but create a better sound, and do not bite the reed. The system with one screw is easier and quicker to adjust, and the pressure on the reed is more evenly distributed. They usually come with more expensive instruments, or can be bought separately.
  2. Decide on a reed. Look at color (a green looking reed will not play well, but a yellow or golden brown one will), condition (check for cracks or splits), and the grain of the cane (it should all be going the same direction and should be relatively smooth). The article here will detail this further. Also, be sure that the reed is the strength you're used to, or, if you play with different ones, that it fits the current playing situation.
  3. If you wish to wet your reed, wet it only in water. The saliva and acids in your mouth deteriorate the reed. Constantly dry the reed once warmed up because remember, saliva is constantly distributed on the reed as you play. Also, dry by sliding the tip of your finger along the length of the reed toward the point. Reeds are essentially thousands of little straws, so sliding along the reed allows all the straws to point the same way, allowing smoother playing.
  4. Slide the ligature over the mouthpiece until it's almost in its final position, with the screws loosened a bit.
  5. Carefully slide the wet reed under the ligature. Line it up so that it is perfectly centered, the edges are in line with the rails on the mouthpiece, and you can just barely see a tiny sliver of mouthpiece over the tip of the reed.
  6. Slide the ligature down to about the bottom of the reed and tighten it just enough to hold the reed snugly, but not enough to hold it too much (which can stifle the vibrations of the reed), or to break the ligature. Many reeds have a vibration line visible on them. Try to get the top of the ligature below this line to allow the top of the reed the full range of vibration.

Removing the Reed

  1. Unscrew the ligature slightly, and carefully slide the reed out from underneath it.
  2. Take the reed off and wipe it (if necessary) gently to dry it. You can let it soak in clean water for a while (which will extend the life of the reed).
  3. Put the reed into a reed holder until you use it again. A reed holder gives the reed a safe place to sit while it dries, and lets you carry more than one reed at once.
  4. Take the rest of the clarinet apart and put it back in its case, leaving the screws on the ligature a bit loose, to make it easier to put a reed on the next time.

Tips

  • There are synthetic reeds available which do not require the same amount of maintenance or replacement as standard cane reeds. Many clarinetists feel that the sound produced by these is not as good or pure as cane reeds, but that is often affected by the technique of the player and the preference of the listener.
  • Never leave your reed on the mouthpiece in the case as it will warp and mold may develop on the flat side of the reed.
  • An occasional soaking in a 3% hydrogen peroxide solution (available at your local drugstore) can help extend the life of your reed by counteracting the effects of your saliva on the reed. Leave it in the solution overnight and rinse it well before next use.
  • When you remove the ligature after playing, leave it loosened slightly to make it easier to use it again next time.
  • Reeds are classified by number (strength). The lower the number, the easier it is to blow through them. Reeds with higher numbers have a clearer sound quality, but are more difficult to blow through. Different mouthpieces have different attributes on the openings which make them more suitable to different reed strengths.
  • There is no such thing as an old reed- try soaking for a few seconds- you'll find it plays as good as new.
  • Some people choose to keep their reeds in an empty medicine bottle (with cap) filled with water until it saturates (sinks to the bottom). This can extend the life of the reed, making it easier to play and better-sounding, as well.
  • Always put your unused reeds into your reed protectors. This will protect them and dry them. Reed protectors will also make sure they don't bend. When you buy your reeds, they should come in protectors.
  • Curl your lips over your bottom teeth so that you don't bite the reed, or you will make a bad sound. You can choose to either roll your top lip over your top teeth or just leave your teeth on the mouthpiece - rolling is harder. Remember: everyone's mouth is different- no embouchure will "work" for everyone. Also, some reed sizes don't work well with some people's shape of mouth, as well as their mouthpieces.

Warnings

  • When a reed breaks, throw it away, or it will affect your music dramatically (squeaking). Even just a thin crack can really mess up your sound.
  • Do not leave your clarinet unattended without a mouthpiece cap over the reed to protect it.

Things You'll Need

  • Clarinet reeds (whatever strength you prefer)
  • A clarinet
  • A clarinet ligature
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