Testing Different CLARINET REEDS

[@gsco82]

I play on a Vandoren B-45 mouthpiece and a Rovner ligature. I have used V-12 reeds for quite a lot of years. They are responsive and generally consistent. When I started using them, someone pointed out to me that the cane used in making Vandoren reeds was more dense than the cane in Rico reeds. At first they seemed hard to break in, but now I have no problems with them.

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

They take longer to break in for sure

[@grantkoeller8911]

Playing a total of 43 years, (23 years with USAF Bands) I use a Vandoren 5JB for jazz clarinet. I use a traditional blue box 3 and 3.5. I use a 1920's German Silver ligature with Heart shaped screws. For classical I use a Selmer HS*

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Congrats on a long career!

[@Olive_H]

My favorite reed was the Rue Lepic!!! It's tone quality was soo warm, and the articulations were very smooth, whereas the v12(I think) had the slightest muddy notes. I don't usually use Vandoren reeds because of how hard they are, but I'm looking forward to using those Rue Lepic reeds. It may also be just the camera, but I did notice a bit of air in the Rue Lepic. As a clarinet player, I do believe it is just the camera. Great work, and you're a fabulous clarinet player! Keep it up!

[@ParkHouseCreations]

I agree with Tony! Rue Lepic sounds great; that or the V21 would be my pick! When I played BD5s, the 56 was my choice as well, it just feels like its tailor made for that mouthpiece!

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Agree 💯

[@ClarinetEnthusiast]

Why, I surely didn’t walk into this video expecting to see you here! Nice to see you here! As a certain Sheev Palpatine would, “A surprise, to be sure, but a welcome one.”

[@tpark89]

Rue Lepic sounds dope

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Dope name=dope reed

[@tpark89]

@@TheCandidClarinetist facts

[@ClarinetEnthusiast]

This video seems to highlight the difference in the warmth of the reeds especially well. I feel like a lot of videos have recordings where they all sound pretty much the same and then you hear all the sudden from the player that “oh this reed was so much brighter than this reed, and this reeds articulation suck” etc, and you’re left quite confused. I like to think that this is the difference an audience member would hear, for when I play I just think I sound like garbage lol. Great video though! I have recently been playing on 56 with my BD5 mouthpiece and I think I’m getting good results!

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Thank you!

[@andrealevine2997]

I play BD4 and v12 3.5s. I’m curious to try those Rue Lepics! Sounds great as always, Sam!

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

I'm sure you sound great on anything!

[@georgia.newman]

I’ve been using them on my bd4. It’s pretty solid

[@orlandopimentel4459]

Andrea, you sound great, indeed 😉

[@leonardocilento786]

Lately I struggled a lot finding the right reed for my mouthpiece, I play on a vandoren BD5. I was searching for a warm and round "german" sound and after playing for some years 3,5 classic vandorens I was suggested to try v12s... I didn't like them... I mean the sound was pretty good but they're not very consistent in durability and reliability, plus, on the bd5 almost everyting sounds good, even plastic reeds. Two days ago I opened the first reed of the 3,5+ of rue lepics and after trying just 2 I can already say they saved my life as a clarinetist! In essence, it's not the sound you get from them, it's the amount of effort you put to get that sound!

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Yeah they work very well!

[@BrendenJohnFilms]

Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic 3,5 reeds Silverstein Estro gold ligature Vandoren B40D (CM36078) German mouthpiece Selmer Paris Signature clarinets I am hard-of-hearing and literally started clarinet (anything music) out of spite. I soon grew into loving it despite the many complicated "sound" concepts to grasp. Eventually I ended up getting a full ride scholarship after only "doodling" on the $80 first clarinet I had. Years later I tried all types of instruments, mouthpieces, ligatures, and reeds. I ended up with this mix cause it helped me "feel" everything from high to low (high being more important) and I needed to be able to have precise minute control. I love my setup and I am grateful that Vandoren has shops around to try out their products, including reeds, which is how I found the right fit for me.

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

That’s amazing! Congrats to you for all of your hard work

[@ericgarbin5723]

Hello! For comparison: Vandoren M13 Lyre, BG Revelation Ligature, 66 mm Chadash barrel for a 1960s Buffet R13. Reeds are drawn from a range including VanDoren, D'Addario, VanDoren RLP, Gonzalez, Zonda (dates of purchase mostly 2020-2021). I haven't gotten to newer boxes yet, but they include V21s as well...based on your findings, I am looking forward to V21s. If it doesn't work on this mouthpiece/barrel, the reed may work on a different combination. Zonda are tricky to adjust to this particular setup, but it is nice to try something outside of the comfort zone, when the stakes are low. Have fun!

[@parkerarnett1052]

I am a sophomore in high school right now, but currently play on a Backun Vocalise R mouthpiece with V12 3.5 reeds, I also use a Backun MoBa barrel in cocobolo, a silver bonade ligature and my clarinet is a Yahmaha YCL-400AD advantage made of grenadilla wood.

[@mengxiaozhang3035]

Thank you for the video!! I have 56 v12 and traditional, and I feel the v12 and the traditional reeds sound better for the high notes. I don’t know if it’s only me but I find 56 easier to play but sounds a bit thin on the high note. I’m using Vandoren b45 mouthpiece and I’m playing 2.5 strength for 56, and 2.5/3 for v12 and traditional.

[@horsermchead2504]

I belive 56 are in fact thinner so your notes about them should be ocresct

[@PokeRangerPlayz.]

I have used blue box reeds since I started playing and love them

[@DocCSE]

I play on a Rick Sayre mouthpiece that he made for me, MOBA 66 barrel, Versa ligature. I play all of the Van Doren Reeds, but rarely on the blue box reeds. I also play on D'Addario Evolution reeds. I do not play on synthetic reeds. As a graduate student I played on the original Morre reeds.

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Rick is fantastic! I like the blue box, but I think they are a little less consistent (more varying in strength) than the others. If you get a good one, they are fantastic.

[@thatonespaniard6509]

Nobody asked for my opinion but I am going to give it anyway. FOR HIM, The 56 And the blue box work fantastic. My favourite for him is the 56.

[@Okinawanprince]

Richard Hawkins custom mouthpiece + V21 3.5. I recently got back into playing the clarinet and was pleasantly surprised by the V21 reeds.

[@orlandopimentel4459]

Nice video by a strong player 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Thank you!

[@klarinetta]

Stopped trying clarinet reeds. I always come back to the V-12 no matter being it very expensive hand made ones from Germany,Austria og Spain I always come back to the V-12. There simply is no competition in my mind. My setup is a red(don't know what the model is called) Mo-L Charles Bay mouthpiece with V-12's # 3.5+ This mouthpieces was chosen for me in 2001 at Howarth of London by then principal clarinetist of the Icelandic Symphony Orchestra Einar Jóhannesson and I've yet to try a better one. And of course to me you sounded the most even on the V-12 reed. For me they have the best evenness of sound and the right amount of resistance vs clarity.

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Interesting you say this, because I just switched back to V12 3.5+. They definitely have a certain depth of sound that is missing with other cuts.

[@nirauslander3684]

Thanks it really helped me!

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Happy to do it!

[@timofeymarkin4142]

I play V12, but love 56’s sound

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Both good choices!

[@katherinecarleton5419]

D’Addario reserve evolution mouthpiece with 3.5+ Vandoren V12s. I keep trying but can’t quite quit the V12s…

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Whatever works for you!

[@klarinetta]

Not a chance. I tried to use others for some time then switched back to the V-12 and it was like a nicotine shock or something like that. There simply is not a better reed out there.

[@JoVeda_xo]

Im new listener so I'm not catching on the difference it all sounds good to me. Maybe after some practice I'll notice the differences.😊

[@musokid89]

I'm playing on a Backun MoBa O+ with D'Addario Reserve Classic 3.5/3.5+ reeds 👍

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

What is the tip opening on the MOBA?

[@musokid89]

@@TheCandidClarinetist 1.12mm I'll send you a chart via fb 👍

[@christianiacuzzi1572]

I play on a Buffet RC with a Licostini FC mouthpiece and a silverstein cryo4 ligature and I find that D'Addario reserve Classic 3.5/3.5+ are perfect for me, they are really great

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Sounds like a nice setup! I’ve never played the Licostini mouthpiece, but I’ve heard great things about them

[@christianiacuzzi1572]

@@TheCandidClarinetist they are reeeally great

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

@@christianiacuzzi1572 Awesome! Always feels good to find equipment you are comfortable with.

[@erieliang7663]

Hey Sam! What was the reason why you chose a non-Series 13 BD5 mouthpiece?

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Worked better for me intonation wise

[@jaimetrevino8731]

Those Rue Lepic sound great. I play on a: Traditional Blue box 3.5 Lomax Legacy 1929 mpc / BD5 backup Rosegold Solid silver Ishimori

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Nice! I’ve never tried the Lomax mouthpiece

[@thomasfrasca7949]

Buffet R-13 Backun Fatboy barrel. Backun Vocalise G mouth piece and the new Rovner Versa Ligature. Its a great sounding set up. Vandoren V-12 ,31/2 reeds

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Great to have something you are comfortable with!

[@miguelmp289]

Hello my friend. Blanck, spine, tip, vamp profile and filed. What is this and which is easier to play?

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Completely depends on your mouthpiece

[@miguelmp289]

@@TheCandidClarinetist My clarinet is a startone

[@jareddavis2597]

BD5 13 series mouthpiece, V12 3 1/2+ reeds

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

BD5 👀👀👀

[@pukalo]

Strength 3.5 rue lepics on a vandoren M15 work well for me.

[@Noobksggdgg]

As a first year player i play on the blue box reeds size 3 and with some sort of yamaha mouthpeice ( i rented the whole instrument so i do not know the specifics) if any of you have tips about clairanet in general please share them

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

The best investment you can make is in a good mouthpiece! I’d suggest a Vandoren m13 Lyre. It’s the mouthpiece I used for the first 12 years of my life as a clarinetist

[@Noobksggdgg]

@@TheCandidClarinetist thank you for the suggestion

[@pablodevadderclarinete]

With BD5 must search for a vibrant sound, because the sound of that MP is very "dark". I have a less polite way to call it :p but it is a little rude

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Yes, you definitely have to “find the color” in the BD5. However, I prefer it to having a mouthpiece that I have to “tame”, so to speak

[@pablodevadderclarinete]

@@TheCandidClarinetist of course! It's a matter of taste and affort...I listen to players of the past like Harold Wright, that produced all sort of dynamics and colours, articulations with "brillant" mouthpieces and very very soft reeds effortless and I ask myself why are we looking to dark. Dark conceptually is lack of light xD

[@emjay2045]

Reface that (Black Diamond ) BD5 so it’s not so “dark.” Then it’s a Diamond 5 with life, resonance and Colour.

[@cesarcuevas3826]

What difference is there from the v21 that you show in the video to the v21 australia or german?

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

I think they are the same since the v21 is a German cut

[@horsermchead2504]

What does 3.5+ mean as opposed to 3.5 in general?

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Slightly harder, in between a 3.5 and a 4

[@BenjaminDRivera]

Conductor, not clarinetist, so feel free to take my comments with a grain of salt. 😉 But I like the Rue Lepic, in part because I prefer the sound on the lower notes.

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Agree Ben!

[@carusoclarinet78]

You'd be even happier with Rigotti Gold reeds. You can thank me later! Haha!

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Haven’t heard of them, but I’m always up for trying new stuff!

[@PinacoladaMatthew]

V12 3.5plus FTW

[@billducker7404]

BG 2. European Cut 2.75

[@emjay2045]

Buffet sponsored artist ?

[@TheCandidClarinetist]

Yes! I’ve been with Buffet for a few years