Clarinet Reeds 101

[@YAZAKA29]

Hi, I would be very interested in a video on reed scraping. Thanks

[@john.kurokawa]

Noted! Thanks for watching!

[@Quantum_64]

I've been a clarimet player for 5-6 Years now, but I've neglected reeds. I've no knowledge on filing or scraping, and clarinet maintenance in general sin e someone else does it.

[@davesummers3304]

Solid advice and a procedure clarinetists of many levels can follow! Thank you, John Kurokawa! And come on man; now you have to do the reed balancing video!

[@john.kurokawa]

On it! I have some technical hurdles to overcome, but it is definitely in the pipeline. Thanks for watching!

[@mimiroibu6701]

Thank you for the helpful information! Whenever you get a chance, could you please make a video on how to balance reeds? Thank you again! 😁

[@john.kurokawa]

Sure thing! Thank you for watching!

[@xellusions]

1:11 i haven’t played clarinet in a while and i just got out a new rico orange box 2.5 reed, i feel CALLED OUT 😭😭

[@john.kurokawa]

Not at all. If you're a beginner, then that's where you should be. If you're a little more advanced or experienced, you might do better to try something a little higher in strength and quality. Thanks for watching!

[@kintsugi_sjmc]

I'm also very interested in the reed balancing video. I have a few ligatures that I rotate through, so I really appreciate what you said about using one that best represents the thumb. Very helpful!

[@john.kurokawa]

Thank you! I have some technical hurdles to overcome for that video but it’s in the pipeline! Thanks for watching!

[@amaypant]

I take around 2 weeks to break in my reeds, works well for me! I learned some new things from this video, like about how to use the Reed Geek, thanks!

[@john.kurokawa]

Glad it helped! Thanks for watching!

[@amaypant]

@@john.kurokawa of course!

[@carlythemusician5407]

You’re very well-spoken! Great video!

[@john.kurokawa]

Thank you for watching!

[@LouisFrayser]

Thank you so much. Reeds are kickin' my butt 😅I'm trying to figure them out 😂

[@john.kurokawa]

You’re welcome! Best of luck. Check out my review of Woodstone reeds as well! Thanks for watching!

[@hankstrohbeck4408]

perfect, thank you- just starting

[@ramsescelestin4207]

Thank you, John. It's been a few decades since I played the clarinet. This short review of reeds is clear, concise, and well taken. One question: What reed number should I start with?

[@john.kurokawa]

Honestly, it depends on your mouthpiece and what brand of reed you’re playing, but a Juno 2.5 to 3.5 might be a good way to get started. Thanks for listening!

[@cpufahl]

Great! I’ve experimented with varying extremes of break in procedures, and your process is pretty much exactly what I’ve settled on as well. More than this hadn’t yielded better results for me, and definitely not playing reeds in for at least as long as you describe has been disastrous! I can get away with more with my saxophone reeds, but not clarinet!

[@john.kurokawa]

Glad you’ve found something that works for you! Thanks for watching!

[@adjbutler]

thank you

[@john.kurokawa]

You're welcome Thanks for watching!

[@Benjamin_Reese]

I would appreciate a video on how you balance your reeds! Thank you for this video.

[@john.kurokawa]

You’re welcome! It’s in the works!

[@chandlerc1971]

Great video! If you make a video on balancing reeds can you mention your favorite ways to use the Reed Geek?

[@john.kurokawa]

Thank you for watching! Yes, I think there’s a video coming up about reed balancing soon. 😊

[@stevekeller4814]

I would be interested in a reed balancing video. This is something I have done, on saxophone and clarinet, for many years. I don’t break in reeds, but I balance every one as I take it out of the box. I find doing this makes them last longer and balancing them first ensures they vibrate properly from the start.

[@john.kurokawa]

It’s in the pipeline! I have some technical hurdles to overcome, but it’s definitely coming at some point. Thanks for watching!

[@tallprincessTiff]

I’m really curious about your thoughts on synthetic reeds. Could you do a video about that?

[@john.kurokawa]

I’ll add it to the list! Thanks for watching!

[@WindyWoody]

Nice video. Many aspects of your approach are familiar to me, but I noticed your specific direction--reinforced in the video demonstration--to lay the reeds flat-side-up on the table after wetting them, which I have not heard before. If I may ask, what's the reason for this?

[@klarinetta]

I usually use around 8 out of 10 in a box with maybe 1-2 concert quality ones. If you know how to work on reeds you can use most of them that is if the quality is there. That's at least my experience playing Vandoren V-12 for over 25 years.

[@john.kurokawa]

True, but they have changed quite a bit in that time. I find myself playing Rigotti and Woodstone reeds these days the most. I think you have to find whatever suits your way of playing the best. Thanks for watching!

[@georgebaker3948]

Perfect, now for balancing, asp please

[@john.kurokawa]

It’s coming! Thanks for watching!

[@picashlio3361]

Could you please do a video on mouthpieces? Which are best for beginners, intermediate, advanced players. Or a video on how the shape of your mouth can affect your playing with various mouthpieces. I'm new to the world of better mouthpieces and trying to find info on these things is a nightmare. I study hard and want to sound good.

[@john.kurokawa]

Mouthpieces are my favorite topic. It's in the pipeline!

[@anthonybacevice8077]

Any advice on synthetic reeds?

[@eichlerphoto]

A professional woodwind player in Ohio who is a former student of Robert Marcellus says Marcellus used to break in his reeds very slowly, only playing them for a short period of time each time for over a month, and was able to get some reeds to last years this way. I have been experimenting with a longer break in process lately, and, although I haven't worked my way up to more than a month of break in yet, I do seem to be getting more stable, long-lasting, and more playable reeds this way.

[@john.kurokawa]

Yes- I know Gene as he's subbed in my orchestra and I've played gigs with him in Cincinnati. I've seen that video- I've not heard that about Marcellus, but I have heard anecdotes that the Morre cane was so good back in the day that Marcellus would on occasion take reeds out of the box and just play them. I think finding a good break in routine is essential. Thanks for watching!

[@pL3Ym0b1L]

Thumbgature!!! 🔥

[@Daniel-dj7fh]

I've got a nuvo Dood, I can't play it. But I'm having a hard time getting smooth tones out of the 1.0 plastic reed, and the 1.5 plastic reed is abit tough to blow. The instructions say you can also use an Eb clarinet reed. I've now been on Amazon looking and the Bb reeds seem cheaper. Could you explain the difference to someone who has no musical knowledge? I'd prefer to play more saxophony tones for songs from Kenny G or some Sinatra songs , but I dunno.

[@emjay2045]

👍

[@MariMari-to3pm]

Like!

[@john.kurokawa]

Thanks for watching!

[@danielkwong2095]

I see too many students playing on reeds that are too stiff for their embouchure and setup. It can cause biting, extra pressing and clamping. Double-lip playing is a good test for this. I play double-lip. Do you play single or double?

[@john.kurokawa]

I agree. I play single, although I do go through periods of practicing double lip to help alleviate tension and biting especially if I am performing a lot. Thank you for watching!

[@sandrafrancis3631]

As a complete beginner, I started in September as an older adult learner, most of this I didn't fully understand even. Plus, it all seems too finicky and obsessive for me. If this is what it means to be a clarinet player, I have to say it puts me off and makes me want to give up!