Vandoren Clarinet Reeds | The Full Range Explained

[@dawkesmusic]

We stock the full range of Vandoren Clarinet reeds with worldwide shipping, available via: www.dawkes.co.uk/clarinets/accessories/reeds/bb

[@jimis3167]

Traditional: 2:03, 2:31 V12: 3:06, 3:34 Rue Lepic 56: 4:09, 4:38 V21: 5:12, 5:41

[@Ari-yn8up]

Thanks for posting this there really isn't a video like this on the internet

[@jjmw4112]

Very instructive content, and I must add that the presenter is extremely endearing and cute!

[@dawkesmusic]

Glad you liked it!

[@Brave_Aviator]

I have a bd5 as well the rue lepics worked really well on my mouthpiece and so did the v12s but the rue lepics made a better sounds and i feel like switching from traditionals to rue lepics cause the tone and response is just amazing to those rue lepics

[@Clarinet.dommy1]

Yeah I had the same experience and I use an Optimum Ligature with it

[@teuluPaul]

Thank you! I have just received a couple of each of these reeds to try out on my B45 Vandoren mouthpiece. I think I will also need to go and spend a few hours trying out mouthpieces - sounds like you enjoy the BD5 mouthpiece...

[@brianbillings6815]

I play the V12 on my bass (my primary clarinet) and the Traditional on my soprano (or D'Addario Reserve). I've been considering changing as I find them on the bright side. Having listened to your beautiful tone I preferred the 56 Rue Lepic sound you produced. Traditional was the brightest, V12 the most reedy, the 56 was really centered and warm but the quick passages weren't dull or too bright. To me the V21 sounded between the 56 and Traditional in brightness. I'm going to buy a box of 56 Rue Lepic to play next!

[@kevindeibert3369]

I think I like the Traditional reeds best !

[@gamersden30]

Very useful, thank you Alastair!

[@klarinetta]

V12 most focused,even and great resistance balance. Simply the best clarinet reed on the planet.

[@emjay2045]

😶

[@raymondregh8396]

Thank you for your analysis. Never mind a little correction of the name of one of the reeds: It's 56 Rue Lepic not Rue L'Epic! Definitely my favorite on BD5 mouthpiece. Very responsive at strength 3.5 with a wonderful warm sound in all registers.

[@jefft9729]

Thanks for very informative video. What influence, if any, does the ligature have in reed response/sound? I use Bonade ligature; Ralph Morgan 0.06 mouthpiece with 3.0 V21. Steuer also makes a nice reed.

[@jimis3167]

3.5 Traditional I think they are very heavy for BD5.. how he could play them??

[@Samuel-ge7im]

I use V21 reeds on my Tenor Sax.

[@SarahSkilton]

Lovely video. I am a V12 fan at 3.5 after playing on the Traditionals for many years. What is the piece of music played to test each reed? It is beautiful.

[@alastairpenman]

Thanks Sarah! The first excerpt on each reed is Carol from Five Bagatelles by Finzi and the second is from Solo de Concours by Messager.

[@Isaiahstetson]

@@alastairpenmanyou are the answer I’ve been searching for. I’ve been looking for this peice for 4 months

[@alexanderhelt738]

Very helpful, thank you!

[@dawkesmusic]

Glad it was helpful!

[@jimis3167]

The V12s number 3.5 are the most suitable reeds on BD5, that's a standard without any doubt. I cannot play as well with the other Vandoren reeds on BD5...

[@Brave_Aviator]

The rue lepics and v12s worked the best on bd5. But the 3.5 v12s were too soft for me. If i had a harder v12 it migt end up better though

[@pukalo]

@@Brave_Aviator Luckily there exists a 3.5+ strength v12, in between 3.5 and 4

[@henryslamaker8856]

I found the v12's at 3.0 to be softer and easier to play than traditional at 3.0. Seem to be between the 2.5 and 3.0 of the Traditional. But the V12's didn't sound out as well on the M15 vandoren mouthpiece compared to the Traditional. I'm looking into changing my mouthpiece away from the 88 profile as I find reed positioning is harder to do well quickly.

[@Isaiahstetson]

What’s the first song you played?

[@partticle2222]

56's had the higher quality sound, V21's also -with a cleaner response but lesser projection than 56's ThX for comparing the lot!

[@AUsableUsername_]

So, recently I decided to try standard vandoren oppose to v12’s, and I just pulled these reeds out and some of them sound like they have a very pinched sound. Is this a me issue or the reed? I’ve never had a reed sound like this before, it’s so weird

[@mjl1958]

8:07 "Vandoren recommend different reeds for different mouthpieces". It would be good if you listed the recommendations or directed players to the source.

[@dawkesmusic]

Hi - The 'official' Vandoren recommendations are to be found on their website, if you go to each mouthpiece listing there are recommendations on that page as to which reeds might suit it best, here's an example: vandoren.fr/en/vandoren-mouthpieces/black-diamond-bd5-bb-clarinet-mouthpiece/ However, if you asked 100 players they'd give you 100 different answers. It depends on the facing curve of the mouthpiece, the cut of the reed, the strength of your embouchure, if you prefer more or less resistance and so on. However, the Vandoren recommendations are a good starting point and by trying some out you'll be able to find your own preferences. Thanks for watching!

[@mjl1958]

@@dawkesmusic They list all of their "classical" oriented reed ranges. This is not exactly a recommendation. The only thing that differs is the recommended reed strength.

[@dawkesmusic]

Don't shoot the messenger ;-) That's because they would have you believe all their reeds can suit all their mouthpiece. We'd refer you back to the previous point that if you asked a lot of players they'd all assert their own choice which is generally based on opinion and experience, this is difficult for someone seeking out a solid recommendation because it's circumstantial. There is some practical theory behind which reed should suit which mouthpiece best (ie. filed reeds vs unfiled and how that translates to american facing curve vs french facing curve designs - More info here: www.dawkes.co.uk/sound-room/choosing-the-best-reed-clarinet-or-sax/) there are however always exceptions to those rules because we all 'feel' something different when we play and importantly we all want a different feeling. The best option is to try the different Vandoren reeds on your mouthpiece and see what you prefer. We offer sample packs to help with this situation AND we also give some examples of which types should theoretically work with which mouthpieces: FRENCH CUT: www.dawkes.co.uk/clarinet-reed-selection-pack-french-cut/018459 AMERICAN CUT: www.dawkes.co.uk/clarinet-reed-selection-pack-usa-cut/018463

[@ScrapLake]

3:06 5:13

[@itskurnsstupid4418]

Is that a Vandoren Optimum ligature?

[@jimis3167]

Yes.