Why are my new clarinet reeds difficult to play?

Question

I've just bought two boxes of reeds via eBay and I've been playing with one of the new reeds for two days, but I'm finding it very difficult. The new reeds are the correct bB ones of my normal grade (one and a half) but the new reed feels much stiffer than my old ones. It definitely needs more lip pressure and harder blowing.

I know from experience that changing to a new reed can sometimes be a bit difficult and that it can take some getting used to. However the new one is more difficult than any I’ve found in the past. Perhaps it's also aggravated by changing brands. I played with Rico Royals before, but the new ones are Ri Yin Jing Yan China.

Can anyone give me any advice, please? Should I just persevere with the new reeds, or are there perhaps some "trade" secrets that I don't know about for breaking them in?. Soaking them in water or scraping them or whatever? I've been learning the clarinet for a few years, but I’m not an experienced player. I don't have a teacher.

Answer 1

Hi! I have some tips for you!

New reeds will ALWAYS be a little stiff at first. That's because they have not been broken in yet. This is true with any brand.

First of all, 1 1/2 strength are FAR too soft. I don't know your level of playing, but you should be playing on a 2 1/2 or 3 if you are a beginner, or if you are a little older, probably 3 1/2's. But NO softer than 2 1/2 and ideally, at least 3.

Rico reeds=crap. They produce a very spread out, unfocused sound. I don't recommend them to anyone for any reason. Try Vandorens. They are higher quality and I tihnk you will notice that your sound will improve, too!

Reeds are all inconsistant, unfortunately. When I buy a box of 10, I'm lucky if I get 5 that will truly play well. Sometimes I can make the others work, but sometimes not. However, there's one thing you can do that will help you identify reeds that might play better than others. Look at them before you ever break them in! Hold them up to the light. The cut should be even, not jagged or crooked. THe fibers going through to the tip should mostly be small and should be even. The heart of the reed (the thicker part above the cut) should also be uniform and even.

After you've inspected them and found a few that should work, try playing on them. I recommend breaking in a few reeds at a time, by playing on them for about 5 to 10 minutes, then storing them to dry. Do this for about a week (but don't play any longer!), and it will help to break them in properly.

Also, I'm concerned that you stated you needed to use more "lip pressure". THat is the OPPOSITE of what you want to do! When you bite down, it keeps the reed from vibrating. If the reed isn't vibrating, you're cutting off the sound. I feel like your problem with "stiff reed" or being hard to blow may not have anything to do with your reeds and EVERYTHING to do with your embouchure.

Try this. Say the word "boot" and hold it. That will produce thhe shape your embouchure should be. Or, try saying "wee" and then "too" and then hold it. It should produce the same shape. Your chin should be firm and flat, your teeth should be on top of your mouthpiece, and your embouchure/lips should be FIRM...but you shouldn't bite down. There is a difference. :)

I hope some of this helps you at least a little. If it doesn't, or even if you want more advice, please feel free to contact me!

Answer 2

I played clarinet for 6 years in school. The reeds are probably a bit more difficult to play because of the difference in the brands. I wouldn't soak them in water nor would I scrape them. Once you get higher in the #s on your reeds, you tend to get a little thicker and longer reed, making it more difficult to get the airflow to vibrate the reed to get your clear sound. I actually had worked up to between a 3 1/2 - 4 by the time I stopped playing. My advice would be to put the reed you're going to play with in your mouth about 5-10 minutes before you start to play and let your own saliva moisten the reed to loosen it up a bit. I would find a brand of reed that you're comfortable with and stick with those so that you have more consistency when advancing with your reeds. You'll find that you'll start getting mild headaches from blowing so hard trying to get your sound to come out right with the thicker reeds. Just move at your own pace when advancing there. Hope this helps!