finaly put the legature on the reed and mouth piece. Every day at wikiHow, we work hard to give you access to instructions and information that will help you live a better life, whether it's keeping you safer, healthier, or improving your well-being. Apply minimal pressure to the tip of the reed. make sure the top of the reed and clarinet are align. Place the flat side of the reed against the flat side of the mouthpiece. … However, for a beginner, I would suggest using the plastic reeds as they are much more durable and therefore less likely to break. Yes. This section really only “scratches the surface” (so to speak). Make that the reed is vertical and aligned with the mouthpiece, move it up or down the mouthpiece until you see a bit of mouthpiece behind the reed. This video is a demonstration of how to put a reed on a clarinet mouthpiece. Amid the current public health and economic crises, when the world is shifting dramatically and we are all learning and adapting to changes in daily life, people need wikiHow more than ever. Decide what strength you'll need. Over time, the cork can dry out or break down. I still prefer the V-12 for clarinet and bass clarinet. By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. Most reed manufacturers sell reeds in strengths from 1 to 5, often in half-steps. The reed is the second most important factor in producing a sound on the clarinet, second only to you, the player. So the reed is a very important part of a clarinet. % of people told us that this article helped them. You're supposed to wet the reed because it will soften the wood and help the sound come out better and easier. Curl your lips over your bottom teeth so that you don't bite the reed, or you will make a bad sound. Leather ones are more expensive, are usually black, and normally have only one screw. Hold the reed by the thick e nd and put the thin end into your mouth for a few seconds to moisten it. Alternatively Clark Fobes sells both Peter Leuthner and Pilgerstorfer clarinet reeds, as well as bass clarinet and saxophone reeds, I believe. 2. Squeaking can be caused by your clarinet not being put together properly or your mouth being too far down on the mouthpiece. Take the rest of the clarinet apart I've been told it's best to show a little bit of the mouthpiece above the reed. Put on the reed. Also if you are not used to playing higher notes this can happen as well. During his study he set himself the task of building a saxophone from scratch, a feat that no one in the courses history had attempted. Put the reed into a reed holder until you use it again. Line the flat reed table with the long speaker key at the back of the upper middle joint before you put your reed onto the mouthpiece. ALWAYS swab your clarinet after every use. If you really can’t stand to see another ad again, then please consider supporting our work with a contribution to wikiHow. We know ads can be annoying, but they’re what allow us to make all of wikiHow available for free. This shaper can make any type of reed, from Eb clarinet to baritone saxophone. In regards to the mini c, a wooden reed produces a slightly better tone. +Jeremy Smith. Tighten the ligature just enough to keep the reed … When you first put the reed on the mouthpiece it is a good idea to lay your clarinet on your lap so you have both hands to deal with the reed and ligature. Place the reed on the mouthpiece so the flat side of the reed is against the mouthpiece opening. Once you start playing your clarinet, you will need to know how to maintain it. Never leave your reed on the mouthpiece in the case as it will warp and mold may develop on the flat side of the reed. If you don't cover the tone holes completely, this might cause the squeaking. When you buy your reeds, they should come in protectors. Choosing the right size cello, violin or viola can be tricky, especially if you're not musical yourself or... […] You then place the reed onto the mouthpiece (flat side inwards) and attach this using the ligature (as in picture above) – Watch the video on how to put a reed on a clarinet mouthpiece. If you are a clarinet player, then you must know how important the reed is to the sound quality of your instrument. In short, to Tune your instrument is to ensure it plays at the correct pitch. How much time does it take for the water to wet the reed? wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. I play bass clarinet and I always have tons of ait leaking out from around the mouth piece. If it peeks over the mouthpiece just a bit, you might get a better sound. Put the reed on your working surface, flat side down, and rub the front with your thumb, from the reed's butt end towards the tip (careful not to break the tip). They usually come with the instrument, but can also be bought separately. Fixing your reed too high or low on the mouthpiece can set you up for a squeaky sound. You can choose to either roll your top lip over your top teeth or just leave your teeth on the mouthpiece - rolling is harder. Some brands use "soft", "medium", and "hard" instead. How long should I leave the reed in water before putting it in my clarinet? The reed is incredibly fragile so be careful not knock it as this can crack or chip the reed making it unusable. For a clarinet, you’ll want to use a M oil (for medium). The reed, together with the mouthpiece onto which the reed is fixed makes the air in the instrument vibrate when you blow into it (technically speaking: create acoustic waves). for posture, make sure to sit up straight, feets and legs straight, and not to lean against the chair. (repeat, repeat, repeat) Have them raise their right hand – that’s the side the screws should be on. Make sure the top of the reed is aligned with the tip of the clarinet mouthpiece. This will protect them and dry them. The clarinet V-21 is a new addition to their reed line, I tried it and it is worth experimenting with. Another trick is to tighten your embouchure. Fasten the reed to the mouthpiece. The ligature is sometimes different, but the positioning is exactly the same. Look for a proper size. Step 7: Put on the Reed. Many clarinetists feel that the sound produced by these is not as good or pure as cane reeds, but that is often affected by the technique of the player and the preference of the listener. Just practice them by starting at a lower note and progressing up to the note you're trying to play. There are two key reasons why... A broken guitar string is as bad as a heartbreak. When it comes to learning how to play the clarinet, having the right reed will help ensure that your clarinet sounds its best. Should I wet the reed before playing a clarinet? when ready, place the clarinet across your legs Don't make the reed soggy - just nicely moist. It has mechanized blades the cut to shape in one quick stroke. Playing. Some people choose to keep their reeds in an empty medicine bottle (with cap) filled with water until it saturates (sinks to the bottom). Further down the page is a chart listing what strengths suit the main mouthpieces on the market, but before you jump to it are you familiar with how reeds vary and how to choose the best type for your set-up? The mouthpiece with it's reed should look similar to this - Step 4 - Play! Learn more... Before you can play the clarinet, you have to put a reed on it. wikiHow is a “wiki,” similar to Wikipedia, which means that many of our articles are co-written by multiple authors. Cleaning Step 7: Check joint corks. make sure to screw the legature. Caring for Your Clarinet |Normans Music Blog, About the ‘Easy-Reed’ System on a Clarinet, Size Guide for Violins, Violas and Cellos, How to put a Reed on a Clarinet Mouthpiece. This article has been viewed 132,572 times. Most beginners play with a reed that’s a 2 or a 2 ½, but expect to move up to a 3 or a 3 ½ once you’ve been playing for awhile. Ensure that the reed is vertical and aligned with the mouthpiece. At each segment joint, there’s a ring of cork that makes it easy to put your clarinet together and seals it for proper airflow. This can extend the life of the reed, making it easier to play and better-sounding, as well. There are synthetic reeds available which do not require the same amount of maintenance or replacement as standard cane reeds. This introduction to the science of clarinets requires little technical knowledge of acoustics. Lastly, go to your music teacher or music store to get your clarinet checked. Secure the reed with the ligature. Now put a piece of clean paper on your flat surface, put the reed flat side down on it, and rub the back of the reed … One of the most important parts of your clarinet is the reed. By using our site, you agree to our. Carefully, place it on the flat side of the mouthpiece and slide the ligature over both the reed and mouthpiece together. This article has been viewed 132,572 times. Jeremy has been a part of Normans since July 2012, after completing his study at the Newark School. Place ligature over the top with the screws facing towards you and tighten evenly to secure the reed in the correct position. Even just a thin crack can really mess up your. I have had to leave out a large amount of information, in the effort to be concise. Place the flat side of the reed against the flat side of the mouthpiece. You must be very careful to ensure that the reed is put on correctly and is in good condition. wikiHow is where trusted research and expert knowledge come together. It will make it moist. Line up the tip of the reed with the tip of the mouthpiece. You can let it soak in clean water for a while (which will extend the life of the reed). Clarinet reed choice can be one of the most important parts of your clarinet playing set-up but are YOU playing the right Clarinet reed? Your reed should be moistened with water, or your own saliva. […]. How can I fix this? When it comes to looking after your reeds, it mainly comes down to ensuring that they are dry before you put them away, and changing them regularly enough – both of which aren’t quite as easy as they may first seem. A clarinet, a reed and a player: how do they work together? Why? {"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Put-a-Reed-on-a-Clarinet-Step-1.jpg\/v4-460px-Put-a-Reed-on-a-Clarinet-Step-1.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/0d\/Put-a-Reed-on-a-Clarinet-Step-1.jpg\/aid65580-v4-728px-Put-a-Reed-on-a-Clarinet-Step-1.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":345,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":546,"licensing":"