ive been playing for 4or5 years&a clarinet instucer recamended a plastic reed,i march &consert.shold i get one

Question

ive been playing for4-5 years and an instructer came 2 our school and recamended me it. she said that i should als try harder reeds, right now i have a rico #3.

Answer 1

I've used plasticover reeds on Bari sax in a pit orchestra to avoid cracking a reed while overblowing and if I were playing outside (marching band) I'd use them more often.

For concert and solo playing, a good quality cane reed can't be beaten by plastic - even if plastic lasts longer; the cane reed will sound much better and with a more typical clarinet sound.

Any time a professional musician or a teacher suggests that you try something, you should try it. Then decide if it worked or not.

Answer 2

Yes. I play a plastic reed and they work very well for band playing. Legere is a good brand. They cost around $13.95 each but will last longer than regular reeds. They offer a student reed for $7.95 but only in 2 and 2.5 strength - I have not tried it so I do not know how it plays.

I do not think Rico reeds are the best, I like Vandoren reeds better but they cost more.

They are not better than real cane reeds but can sound very good and do not break.