Tenor Sax Reeds on a Bass Clarinet? Yup.

[@niraatae-nkyou8134]

this is how we survive when we don’t have a reed and the tenors leave their cases open

[@Evanw10282]

LMFAO

[@LaskyLabs]

I fucking knew it.

[@lemau8458]

That's disgusting.

[@kennethbuchanan9637]

@@lemau8458 I’m sure she means a fresh reed 🤣

[@lemau8458]

@@kennethbuchanan9637 That would make much more sense.

[@MarinaGarrison]

I’ve been doing this for years. Bass clarinet reeds aren’t always in stock, whereas there are always tenor sax reeds. Plus the Java sound awesome on the bass clarinet for jazz!

[@musical.meygan6412]

They are a LIFESAVER for marching bass clarinet and not having a reed

[@LaskyLabs]

You guys march bass clarinets too?

[@musical.meygan6412]

@@LaskyLabs yes, we have three bass clarinets in my marching band

[@amariiharris2622]

@@musical.meygan6412 same

[@alyssaharford98]

The candy jar of reeds in this video gives me life. That is really the goal in life.

[@SaxSith]

That’s your goal in life?! 😅

[@shanebentley5630]

as a doubling player for musical theater, I've definitely had to resort to swapping reeds between tenor sax and bass clarinet. I've even had good luck with my bari sax legere for contra-alto clarinet

[@omgitsfirekiller]

Fr I do this alot

[@AvGeekW159]

a few contra alto mouthpieces are designed to take bari reeds

[@thomjacare]

I have used alto sax reeds on the alto clarinet, especially Legere.

[@HypedGmng_]

Alto clarinet? Tfff is that

[@dantetan4265]

@@HypedGmng_ I think he just means Bb

[@aldenvines5881]

I've been using bass clarinet reeds on my alto clarinet.

[@gavinolson932]

I actually use legere alto sax reeds on my alto clarinet as well

[@KyleDavis328]

@@dantetan4265 no no no no no, alto clarinet is a clarinet in Eb a fifth below the Bb soprano, and the difference in size between a Bb clarinet reed and an Alto Sax reed is tremendous

[@andrew4282]

Eric Dolphy moment

[@Vorpeum]

Alto sax reeds have worked wonders for me on my alto clarinet. In particular, I've had good results from Legere alto sax signatures - while I'm not the biggest fan of synthetics on my Bb, on alto the Legeres are amazing!

[@eog5038]

Interesting! Many years ago someone who ran a music shop in Salem, Oregon said that the "stuffy" sound of an alto clarinet could be overcome by using a plastic reed.

[@nolanstewart6710]

I actually do the opposite, I use my bass clarinet reeds on my tenor sax

[@SomeGuyOnSax]

Doesn't Lenny Pickett do that?

[@dgclarinet]

Lenny Pickett and Javon Jackson both play bass clarinet reeds on tenor saxophone

[@thelookingcat]

Dang

[@majorfifthmusic]

SACRELIGIOUS

[@LordFloofTM]

I’ve found D’Addario Reserve Bass Clarinet Reeds 3.0 have a great sound on Tenor Sax

[@liamisafireplace]

I use bari reeds on contra alto clarinet! Works great for me

[@garyhickam7970]

Me too!

[@VanAdriaanWilliams]

same here!

[@eduardosergiosergio1238]

Sim, também tenho essa experiência de palhetas de SaxBarítono no clarinete contra-alto: funcionam mesmo Bem!

[@MiguelGuardiaMG]

I used to play Tenor sax with bari reeds

[@coloraturaElise]

I was surprised to hear you say that you play a higher strength on the traditional reeds than on the V12 or 21s, because for me, the Trads are always harder. I have to go down a half strength on the Trad, not up. My understanding is that the tip is thicker and less flexible on the Trads, though the blank is overall thinner than a V12 blank. btw, I also remember when you could tell tenor and bass reeds apart. I'm a doubler (clarinet primary), and use both bass and tenor reeds on bass, but never bass reeds on tenor! I use the green Javas on all my saxes except soprano, but since they are softer, I do have to go up a half or even a whole strength to get enough blowing resistance.

[@shivan30]

For me D'Addario Select Jazz Tenor reeds work very well on my B40 bass clarinet mouthpiece. I use 3 Hard or 3 Medium Hard

[@huguesfardaoclarinettesolo7210]

I play Alto clarinet and... I use Alto sax reeds : Légère Studio cut. With sax reeds we have so much choice, and it really works ! I tried several brands, some of them I prefer to Vandoren classic Alto clarinet reeds. I was very, very impressed by the Alexander Superial DC, found the Java Red powerful, the ZZ too stuffy, the La Voz easy but too much on medium frequencies, and Rico Hemke straight and even. And I finaly stay on Légère Studio, I also play Légère on Bb, European cut... wich were inspired by Soprano sax reeds...

[@Braziliense1984]

Yes, this is a great test! I use a really open mouthpiece in my ALTO clarinet, and the Alto sax reeds are my absolute favorite

[@rylanclarkson3296]

Alto sax and Alto clarinet also have interchangeable reeds a believe. At least alto sax reeds fit on the alto clarinet because that's what I do haha

[@stevenrauch7801]

Would love to see similar comparison with synthetic Bass and tenor sax reeds, esp. Légere European cut bass clari and their American cut tenor sax reeds

[@richardcasey7521]

I have for many years used tenor sax reeds on bass clarinet, mostly because bass clarinet reeds weren’t always available.

[@edwardsalkin9478]

Joe Allard played Rico regular tenor reeds under Toscanini. Who needs to know more than that?

[@josequins9099]

I loved every single one. But then, I think the bass clarinet is the best sounding instrument, full stop.

[@danr1856]

I double on bass clarinet as a tenor saxophonist and just use tenor sax reeds on bass clarinet

[@kirin8735]

Uhhh so I’ve done the opposite actually and find that Bass clarinet reeds work way better on tenor than actual tenor reeds for me. Try it out if you play both

[@koolguy3404]

When I was in college, my professor had me play bass clarinet for a semester. She recommended (Vandoren Blue Box, 3) tenor sax reeds since they have a little more backbone than the bass clarinet reeds. I tried BC reeds once, and never again. Tenor Sax reeds feel so much more hardy, hearty, and full.

[@KevinKingII]

You should do the same thing with soprano sax reeds on Clarinet and see if it works.

[@thomjacare]

I remember reading that when Johnny Hodges played soprano sax, he used a clarinet reed.

[@isaiahd9947]

I've heard that they work but are not exactly the same

[@_carrotfx]

my band director uses a Synthetic Soprano reed on a Clarinet

[@Brendan-5930]

I’m a tenor saxophone and bass clarinet player

[@KevinMin]

I used to play bass clarinet for concert band and tenor sax for marching band, and I pretty much used the same reed haha

[@JillKnapp]

This was enormously helpful. Thanks so much!

[@shakirajohnson1912]

using tenor sax reeds help you get a sharper sound

[@OMurchadha]

I often play bass clarinet in professional settings and use only Legere tenor reeds, as does a neighbor in the pit, a 40 year Broadway vet. They're just so much easier blowing than the Legere bass reeds. At any rate, thanks for the video. I actually really dug your sound on the green Java. It was a cannon!

[@williamedmundson6626]

Lol, last year, I auditioned for all state band on a 2.5 green java on bass clarinet, and I got in somehow.

[@grahampelliott9090]

I play on Marca American Vintage reeds. This is a tenor cut that is aimed at jazz/big band but works well on bass clarinet.

[@ButteryAftertaste]

Tenor sax reeds are standard equipment for cheap sax players who double on bass clarinet!

[@kingssingers]

My college bscl teacher tipped me off on using Rico Royal tenor sax reeds. HUGE difference in my playing!

[@jazzbariman]

You should have included the Juno reeds. I got some early on when they first came out. I gave some sample to friends on mine to try. They ALL felt they were not a student reed, but played as well of better than the reeds you tried in this video. Vandoren is marketing them as a student reed, but they are worth a try. Give them a shot. You might have liked them better than the ones you tried in your video.

[@Doc_Holaday]

I've used tenor sax reeds on bass clarinet and vice versa in a pinch. I also used alto clarinet reeds on my alto sax once. It works!

[@djcallofduty2473]

I exclusively play tenor reeds on my bass and I’ll never go back I’m also a tenor player tho so

[@Tei_022]

Lol are they cheaper than bass ones too?

[@dumbpunk1165]

i played tenor sax for jazz band before i quit, and they were a life saver when concert season came around bc i didn't have to spent another 60$ for bass reeds

[@DynamixWarePro]

While I haven't tried soprano sax reeds on Bb clarinet yet, I do currently use Legere Signature Bb clarinet reeds on my soprano sax. I tried it one day when I noticed the soprano sax reeds, Legere 2.25 Signature reeds I was using were a bit soft and the only harder reeds I had were the 2.5 Signature clarinet reeds. I tried them on my main mouthpiece, a Vandoren Optimum SL3 and they fit fine. They are a bit more narrow and longer than soprano sax reeds so I noticed some soprano sax mouthpieces, the window is slightly too wide to use clarinet reeds with. I have since tried Legere Signature 2.5 soprano sax reeds also. I noticed the low and high notes played a bit easier with a fuller, slightly darker tone overall than the same strength soprano sax reeds and the tuning is a bit better. I recently ordered Legere European Cut 2.5 reeds and want to try one on my soprano sax as I liked how the new Legere American Cut reeds respond on my alto sax, but they don't make any yet for soprano sax and the European cut is basically the same reed profile only narrower and longer as they are clarinet reeds. Seeing this, while I'll never switch to other reeds other than alto sax reeds on my alto sax, I may try bass clarinet reeds on it to see how they respond. I have tried tenor sax reeds on my alto sax before and I got a tone that was approaching a fatter tenor sax sound. Fuller sound, a bit louder, low notes came out easier and I found it easier to bend and scoop notes.

[@jmwoods190]

As a fellow bass clarinettist who has tried all these reeds(except the V21 tenor), I concur most of the things you’ve observed except one- I’ve found that the Blue Box Tenor Sax reeds are a bit different from their bass clarinet counterparts, the former feeling somewhat thicker i.e. more wood at the heart as well as less focused than the latter. The bass ones seem more consistent too PS I find that the V16 runs 1/2 strength softer than the V12 e.g. a V16 #3 is the most comparable to a V12 #2.5

[@jaspern.7702]

Totally off-topic, but Michael, those glasses are sick, where'd you get them?

[@Haargeroya]

For the past 6 years I have used Tenor reeds on Bass Clarinet, and Bass Clarinet reeds on Tenor

[@adriandelgado8709]

I used to play bass clarinet reeds... some blue box vandorens... strength 3 in my tenor and I liked more how they felt on a tenor more than the reeds created for the instrument

[@georgf9279]

You go UP one half strength with traditionals? On Sax I always go down one half strength with traditionals. They are harder then any other make or model of reed. Also the theme running through all this: "they were all really different form one another". I have basically given up my search for good reeds for that reason.

[@niko_mo7]

I can imagine knocking on Michael’s door on halloween and receiving some jazz cut reeds from his “candy bowl” 😎 5:55

[@marcusdickerson3016]

Could you review the new Dickerson Resonator Ligature for Bass clarinet for us?

[@abedinsubashi]

Idk Why but for a while i used a Bari Sax reed on my Bass Clarinet. It actually sounded really good

[@brianbillings6815]

Interesting, I play D'Addario Jazz Select reeds on my saxophones and Vandoren V12 on my bass clarinet. When I tried I did notice a significant difference in width but it could have been that the D'Addario reeds were narrower in tenor sax than the Vandoren reeds.

[@timdufka1548]

Thanks for this! I have had great success with the Java Red, and no problems with it closing off at all on my setup which is a touch more open at 2.30mm than your "Vandoren B50" ;-) After watching the video I just ordered some V-16 to try out. Lately, I have also been using the D'Addario reserves which give a very resonant sound and have great consistency,

[@austinw1927]

THiS iS LiKe a 2 BY 4... Made me literally die laughing. I know that feeling exactly!

[@shawnmones8823]

get the boston sax shop tenor reeds. i use those for alto, tenor, bari and bass clarinet because every reed plays very similar

[@taylor-tb9np]

i (and some of my bass clarinet friends) experienced some chirping on a blue box tenor sax reed on my b50 mouthpiece. i do interchange synthetic reeds on both instruments though and they work really well.

[@daltom]

I was a “bass clarinet” player in Highschool and I mainly played soprano clarinet and tenor sax. I didn’t want to hand over the money for bass clarinet reeds so they worked perfectly ooay

[@fierycarnisphere1166]

Obligatory comment: you can also use clarinet reeds on soprano sax! It's the other direction, but it works surprisingly well.

[@coloraturaElise]

The soprano sax mpc opening (window) is wider, which is why soprano sax reeds are wider than clarinet. Are your clarinet reeds wide enough to fit across the s sax window all the way?

[@fierycarnisphere1166]

@@coloraturaElise ymmv, I'm sure it depends on your mouthpiece. I found that the width difference wasn't that drastic.

[@junyanwong6070]

im curious to see your thoughts on legere synthetic reeds

[@littlepizzaboi4449]

I've "borrowed" from our tenor player before for reeds when I was out

[@aboveaveragebayleaf9216]

if you look at a reed strength chart you'll see that 2.5 is not the same in all of the models. Some of those might have been better in a 3. For instance, I had a mouthpiece that worked well with 3 green and red java, but I had to use a 2.5 traditional to get a similar feel.

[@bgclarinet]

D'Addario next? I do not like them on clarinet, but I can't make Vandorens work on bass for some reason.

[@luna9200]

Why do you usually play V12s instead of the regular blue box? What draws you away from the blue box? I know you said they surprised you when you did them just now and may go back, but what about them makes you hesitate, or what about the V12s do you prefer?

[@kevinngo9138]

I don't know what he thinks of them but I also play the exact same setup as he does, vandoeen B50 with V12 2.5 and the selmer privilege bass clarinet. Personally for me the V21 has a more intimate sweeter sound and the V12 have this big bulky sound and I like the big sound of The V12 overthe V21!

[@francistaylor5097]

Brilliant! I normally play on the same bass set up as you, Michael. For tenor sax, I'm a red java 2.5 on a V16 mouthpiece. I bought V16 reeds for my sax and couldn't get on with them, so I'll definitely try them with my bass now. Cheers!

[@francistaylor5097]

Well, I've tested the V16s and they are brilliant on my B50 too. I started with them, then switched back to my regular V12s (which were fine). However, returning to the V16s was a revelation! Thanks for this video, Michael.

[@mazzybananas]

I did this through highschool when I couldn't get bass clarinet reeds 😂

[@super20dan]

v16 plays about a 1/2 strength harder than the javas for me. i like the red box java on bass best of the 4 jazz reeds

[@addisoncarpenter5675]

Hi Michael, can you suggest a good bass clarinet mouthpiece that is not too expensive?

[@earspasm]

Vandoren B50 is great. And it’s very reasonably priced

[@addisoncarpenter5675]

@@earspasm Thanks, you got me inspired to play bass clarinet!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Umm, did you really mean 5000Hz??? That is beyond the range of the piano. Lol 😆

[@HugoMak]

He's referring to the entire harmonic spectrum (ie composition of the overtones)

[@heaneymusic]

I remember doing this about 10 years ago, and even that recently, I recall the Vandoren traditional bass clarinet reeds having a shorter bark and longer heart/vamp than the tenor sax version. Interesting how this has changed… May have to to revisit it!

[@J__Day]

I was taught the clarinet by Herman Hansen who invented the Mitchell Lurie reed and when my HS band wanted to move me to bass clarinet, he told me to only use tenor sax reeds.

[@PierreVeniot]

Frankly, since I play only jazz and pop music, I NEVER used a bass clarinet reed on my bass clarinet. ZZ is my favorite, since I use it also on my tenor.

[@HighlandOwl005]

I’ve used Java Red and Java Green tenor sax reeds for marching bass clarinet and they worked well for me

[@chody07]

I have a advanced selmer bass clarinet, and it has a horrible sticky key problem that doesn’t go away. I’ve tried paper, everything. It’s on the D key and Register+ High Bb key

[@benwoodgate535]

Hey Mike, what is your take on reed strength? as in how hard do you go before it's too hard and how do you know? same goes for how soft etc... trying to find that space in between where it's just right is a nightmare for most of us mere mortals! a video on this topic would be really useful. Set ups, Soft vs Hard .

[@lowreedman]

Is it strange that I also turn the instrument sideways and look at the neck/mouthpiece assembly when I am trying reeds and find one I like? LOL.

[@joeg46Highlands]

Having an unbranded mouthpiece that was doorstop quality my teacher suggested I open the tip a little. It improved slightly. He then suggested that I extend the lay. The quality improved to "superior doorstop".. I then tried a baritone sax reed, first a Rico #2, then a Vandoren #3. It has come to life.. WARNING - never attempt to reface a mouthpiece that has any value whatsoever!!!

[@rye_bread.]

I played clarinet for about 2 and a half (?) years and around a month ago, my band director switched me to bass clarinet. I love the bass so much but I have to play my normal clarinet for symphonic (if I make it in) and marching band. It's only been around a month and I am unable to play on my Bb clarinet without squeaking. You would probably say "oh that's not too big of a problem." But I can't play at all without squeaking. I'm too used to playing on the bass and whenever I try to play a note, it always comes out an octave (or more) higher, even when I am not pressing the register key and have the correct fingerings. Is there any tips you can give me to get used to my clarinet again?

[@mal2ksc]

While this usually works and is worth trying, there are some reeds that are cut quite differently by instrument. I have some of the old Fibracells, and the cut of the bass clarinet reed is thicker throughout except for the last 8 mm or so at the tip. It needs it, too, the tenor reeds blow shut much too easily. Conversely, the bass clarinet reed is rather squawky on tenor. If you have both instruments, there's certainly no harm in mixing and matching and seeing what happens. But the results won't always be good.

[@garyhickam7970]

Bari Sax reeds on Contra? OF COARSE

[@zorniclepeanutbutter3994]

Notification gang

[@nick_cnc]

Fascinating! As a tenor sax player you picked the same reed I picked for the same reason I picked it, mainly that mid range punch the other three seem to lack.

[@Internetpilot]

I use artificial reeds (...pausing for admonishment...haha), but the same is true for at least Legere reeds -- if you're willing to go with tenor sax reeds, you get a couple more cut options. I haven't found one that I like more than bass clarinet classic reed, but I have had legit issues with finding the bass clarinet classic reed in the strength I prefer in stock, so it's nice to have the option for using the tenor sax classic reed.

[@kevindeibert3369]

Thanks for this video. Funny, I use bass clarinet reeds on Tenor Sax, a Rico (now Daddario) Reserve Classic #2. I also use these on Bass Clarinet

[@georgf9279]

Does this work for German bass clarinet? I'm not sure because I don't play it but I think they still have a shorter wider reed. Anyone with experience here?

[@majorfifthmusic]

It's likely my set-up (and my face), but I cannot get bass clarinet reeds to ever sound as good as my Vandoren Tenor ZZ!!!

[@LaskyLabs]

They know our secrets! That's why we keep running out of reeds!

[@beverlypancoast6189]

I have played on tenor sax reeds for years. Back when I was in high school the quality of the tenor sax vs bass clarinet reeds was vastly different. A lot of times if I needed reeds in my small town, I could only get Rico and Rico Royal be reeds... tenor sax reeds had way more choices.

[@AMTunLimited]

I've done this before. It was a community band, I was borrowing the bass clarinet from the local college. I was told there were unopened reeds in the case, but the must have been purloined. In any case, one of the other members had his tenor sax in his car, and the rest is history. It was a completely unfamiliar instrument, but I never noticed a difference

[@charlotte-jq8wu]

Which saxophone do you think is the best for a musician switching from the clarinet? I played the clarinet back in high school and I would like to learn a new woodwind instrument

[@maximilian.maksutovic]

Ohhh!! Max/MSP shirt! Great video as always! Legere reed video next??

[@cadenreinhart3779]

Oooh, been here, done this (kinda). At an honor band my junior year, I played contrabass on a bari sax reed.

[@m.makikjr]

Had to borrow a friend’s tenor sax reed once for a concert... I left all of my bass clarinet reeds in another case

[@tonyrettig1052]

I use the Java Green 3.5’s with a Vandoren B45. I love it.

[@braxenb6251]

when i sued used to play bass, i had to use tenor reeds!! at least i only play Bb now

[@lowheadvarney158]

Yay I was here before this blew up!!!!

[@michealbowman5697]

From my personal experience, I like the tenor jazz reeds when I'm looking for a softer sound to just relax and practice with. But after trying a box of pretty much every bass clarinet reeds (and some tenor reeds) I've found that the rigotti gold bass clarinet reeds are 100% worth trying. They just have everything they I want out of a reed. Perfect resistance, full bodied sound, good projection, and the most consistent throughout the whole box. And the come in boxes of 10, for equal to or less than I pay for a box of 5 vandoren reeds. This is all from my personal experience. I hope somebody reads this and can find it helpful if you're looking for new reeds.

[@timdufka1548]

How do you find that the Rigotti strengths relate to VD? Which Rigotti Gold 2.5 would be the same as a V-12 2.5 in your experience; soft, medium, or hard?

[@SomeGuyOnSax]

I don't like the Z's on any of my saxes.

[@JazzSaxUT]

Yep, did that all through college.

[@Cħris]

To me the tenor sax reed sounds a little bit nicer in the higher notes

[@Garrett_paul09]

what is your main instrument

[@Scarburon]

Excuse me, why can't I get the subtitles on your videos? Do you know it?

[@zerodeaths2343]

do you do private lessons. if so where can i sign up?

[@earspasm]

Yep, contact me through earspasm.com/contact

[@davidbissell3565]

Part two with a reed gauge taking measurements on the tip and vamp taper on the classical reeds, tenor vs bass?

[@earspasm]

Too much effort :)

[@estevansolorio5237]

Flavors lol

[@puppychan5797]

Can bari sax reeds work for a contrabass clarinet????

[@Cħris]

Probably for contra alto because baritone sax is the contra alto member of the sax family

[@FranciscoRodriguez-we3yn]

Cool