You have just begun playing the clarinet. You’ve figured out where your fingers should be placed and practiced proper breathing techniques.
But trying to play actual notes produces squeaks and airy notes instead of proper sounds. Attempting to practice causes frustration.
The good news is, much of your struggle comes down to one simple thing: the reed.
Selecting the right reed can make learning to play the clarinet easier and more enjoyable.
We’ll look at what makes a reed beginner-friendly, signs that you aren’t using the right reed, and tips for keeping your reeds in shape.
Table of Contents
- Understanding Clarinet Reeds
- What Reeds Are Best for a Beginner on Clarinet?
- Signs That You Aren’t Using the Right Clarinet Reed
- 4 Reed Care and Maintenance Tips
- Frequently Asked Questions About Reeds for Beginning Clarinet Players
- Ready To Make Music, Not Just Noise? Sign Up for Clarinet Lessons With Northwest School of Music Today
Understanding Clarinet Reeds
A reed is a thin piece of material that vibrates in the mouthpiece of the clarinet to produce sound.
Reeds for clarinets are typically made of cane or synthetic material. They range in hardness on a scale of 1.5-5, with 1.5 being the softest and 5 being the hardest.
For beginning clarinet players, the strength of the reed is a much more important consideration than the brand or style of reed.
It is recommended that beginning players start playing with reeds of around 2 on the hardness scale. Softer reeds make it easier to produce sounds because they vibrate more freely in the mouthpiece. For beginning players who are just learning to create notes and don’t need to focus as much on intonation or control, soft reeds are ideal.
What Reeds Are Best for a Beginner on Clarinet?
Producing quality sounds as a clarinet player hinges on finding a reed that aligns with the musician’s skill level. Beginning clarinettists will have the best outcome using a softer reed.
Using a soft reed, typically a size 2, eliminates some of the struggle beginning students have producing sound with their clarinets.
Soft reeds require less air pressure and embouchure control, allowing students to focus on learning fundamental skills, such as fingerings and breath support, without having to contend with a physically difficult reed.
Size 2 and other soft reeds are thinner. When the clarinettist blows into the mouthpiece, the reed vibrates and makes a sound. A thin reed vibrates more easily and allows beginning musicians to produce notes without squeaking.
As a student’s fundamental skills improve, they can progressively begin to increase the hardness of their reed.
Signs That You Aren’t Using the Right Clarinet Reed
Finding the proper reed for a musician’s skill level is like the Goldilocks of clarinet playing. Both reeds that are too hard and reeds too soft can generate complications with the quality of sounds produced.
Indications that the reed is too hard include:
- The student can’t create any sounds at all
- The sound quality is poor
- It takes a good deal of effort to make a sound
Evidence that the reed is too soft includes:
- Squeaking when notes are played
- The reed breaks easily
At Northwest School of Music, our esteemed instructors will advise students on the types of reeds to use and give guidance about when it is time to advance to a more challenging reed. Register today for clarinet lessons for musicians at any skill level!
4 Reed Care and Maintenance Tips
#1: Practice Good Reed Hygiene
hygiene. You wouldn’t want to play with a moldy or crusty reed the next time you play because of improper care.
Some factors to consider are:
- Food and drink: Avoid the consumption of food or sugary drinks right before you play. If you do have a snack or beverage before playing, wash your mouth out before you begin to eliminate food and sugar residue that can transfer to your reed.
- Removing the reed: Reeds that are stored on the mouthpiece of the clarinet are breeding grounds for mold, which can cause illness. Instead, place the reed back in the case when you are done playing.
- Reed rotation: Rotate your reeds so they all receive equal wear and tear. A multi-reed case can encourage reed rotation and prevent damage.
#2: Carefully Place the Reed and Ligature When Assembling Your Clarinet
The reed cannot vibrate freely if it is positioned incorrectly, which produces fuzzy sounds, squeaks, or creates difficulty in playing.
If the reed is positioned too high, the sounds turn out fuzzy or muted. If the reed is positioned too low, you may not be able to produce a sound at all.
When assembling your clarinet, don’t touch the tip of the reed since it’s the thinnest part, and it is very fragile.
If you are not careful when handling the reed, it can become chipped or warped. Chipped or warped reeds can make it harder to produce sound and increase squeaks and grunts.
It is best to place your thumbs on the sides of the reed when positioning it in the mouthpiece to prevent wear and tear.
#3: Don’t Wear Lip Product When Playing
Lip products negatively affect reeds because they leave a film of residue that prevents the reed from freely vibrating and can cause the fibers to become clogged.
Residue and clogged fibers produce a duller tone, prevent the reed from functioning properly, and shorten its lifespan.
If you wear lip products such as lipstick, lip balm, or lip gloss, wipe your lips clean to remove the product, and clean your mouth before you begin to play. Brushing your teeth or rinsing your mouth with water ensures the residue is removed from your lips and won’t transfer to the reed.
#4: Establish a Good Post-Practice Routine
Properly caring for your reed after you are finished practicing is vital for keeping your reed in good working condition.
Setting up strong post-practice habits is beneficial for players of all levels, and includes:
- Wiping off your reed with your mouth or running it under water every time you practice
- Storing your reeds in cases to eliminate the risk of accidental chipping
- Consider storing your reeds in a case that has moisture or temperature control to increase their longevity
- Storing reeds on a flat surface to prevent warping
Moisture is the biggest cause of reed damage and replacement. Reeds that are overly moist breed mold, and proper cleaning and storage is crucial.
Frequently Asked Questions About Reeds for Beginning Clarinet Players
What’s the Difference Between Natural and Synthetic Reeds?
Synthetic reeds are commonly made from polypropylene compounds or resin.
Benefits of synthetic reeds include:
- Durability
- Moisture resistance
- Difficult to break
- Consistent performance
- Long-lasting
Although they are more expensive, synthetic reeds are great for students who are prone to breaking reeds or who participate in activities like marching band.
In contrast, the benefits of natural wooden reeds include:
- Richer tone quality
- Less expensive
- More control over sound
- Greater level of softness
Although natural reeds are more prone to environmental hazards such as moisture, they are recommended for beginning clarinet players because of their softness and ease of producing quality sounds. Because beginning players are susceptible to breaking reeds, less expensive options are recommended.
How Long Do Clarinet Reeds Typically Last?
The lifetime of a reed can span from a few days or weeks to a few months.
How long a reed will last depends on several variables, including:
- Playing frequency
- Reed rotation
- Reed storage
- Environmental factors
- Proper care
For beginning players who may tend to be more careless, reeds could break every day. This could also be an indication that the reed is too soft. Other students may need a new reed every week. Ideally, you should be able to purchase a few reeds and use them for the entire semester for advanced students.
Signs that you may need to replace your reed include:
- Chips, cracks, or warping
- It feels soggy
- Your instrument is squawking, squeaking, or has a dull sound
- Discoloration (a sign that there could be mold)
- It becomes more difficult to play your clarinet
What Brand of Reeds Do You Recommend for Beginning Clarinet Students?
Northwest School of Music recommends purchasing Rico by D’Addario reeds for beginning students. These reeds are the cheapest on the market and produce quality sounds.
We also recommended purchasing reeds in packs since they are a better value. Beginning students tend to go through reeds more quickly than advanced students; therefore, it is a practical choice to purchase packs.
For more guidance for beginning students, Northwest School of Music offers lessons for clarinet and other instruments.
When Can You Move up to a Harder Reed?
Initially, beginning clarinettists need to use softer reeds. Once they become comfortable with the reed and can make quality sounds and music without struggle, it may be time for a student to move up to a 2.5. A 2.5 reed should last a student several years. Most experienced players never go past a 3, so beginning students may find a 3 too difficult at first.
Additionally, if the reed is breaking frequently from normal use, it may be time to move up to the next reed.
Do You Need Expensive Reeds To Sound Good?
While you may get the impression that more expensive reeds will produce better music, the truth is, inexpensive reeds are perfectly acceptable for students.
Stick with inexpensive reeds until high school, or if a student wants to start playing more seriously.
Some reeds affect the tone of the clarinet, making it warmer or darker. In the early days, the focus is on learning to produce sounds, so a cheaper, reliable reed is sufficient.
Can You Still Play With a Chipped Reed?
Yes, however, a chipped reed can make the instrument difficult to play.
Minuscule chips won’t make a huge difference in the reed’s sound or how it responds when played.
Larger chips or blemishes, however, can make producing sounds more laborious and n reduce the tone quality. At this point, the reed needs to be replaced to play properly.
Ready To Make Music, Not Just Noise? Sign Up for Clarinet Lessons With Northwest School of Music Today
Northwest School of Music offers both group and individual lessons for aspiring and advanced musicians. Our instructors have a passion for teaching and performing music that influences all aspects of their lessons.
We strive to cultivate a lifelong love of music in our students and encourage creative expression through performance.
Are you or your child ready to find joy in music and begin a musical journey? Contact us today to sign up for lessons!
