Clarinets and Saxophones
For All Woodwind Players
You should have several working reeds on you at all times. Store reeds in a hard plastic reed case. Once you have played on a reed do not store it back in the plastic sleeve it came in as this can lead to warped reeds. The hard plastic case will press gently down on the top of the reed keeping it flat.
When breaking in a new reed, only play on it for a few minutes. Play long tones in a comfortable register. The next day, play on it a little longer, staying in a comfortable register. As the week progresses, you can play on it a little more each day stretching the register as well. By the end of the week, you can play on it for an entire rehearsal or practice session. This will help keep your reeds in good working order for a longer period of time.
For Bass Clarinet Players
1).Vandoren B44 mouthpiece or the Walter Grainer CXZ_LB ("Laurie Bloom") mouthpiece. The Vandoren is more affordable than the Grainer.
2.) Use Vandoren reeds, size 3 (dark blue box) unless otherwise instructed by private lesson teacher.
For Clarinet players
1) Mouthpieces: Vandoren B40 Lyre -- 13 Series, Vandoren M30 -- 13 Series, Vandoren M13 Lyre (only available as a 13 Series mouthpiece), or Richard Hawkins, original "S"/"Standard" model (Richard Hawkins is expensive and for advanced players).
2. Use Vandoren reeds, size 3 or higher. You can use the dark blue box (regular vandoren), the light blue box (V21-slightly easier to play on) or the Grey box (V12-for advanced players only).
For Saxophones
1.C* mouthpiece unless otherwise instructed by private lesson teacher
2.Vandoren reeds-size 3 or higher, regular dark blue box or V16 unless otherwise instructed by private lesson teacher.
3.Jazz Band-Other specific jazz reeds and jazz mouthpieces should be used for jazz band. If you are in jazz band and need to know what specifically to buy please ask a director or private lesson
You should have several working reeds on you at all times. Store reeds in a hard plastic reed case. Once you have played on a reed do not store it back in the plastic sleeve it came in as this can lead to warped reeds. The hard plastic case will press gently down on the top of the reed keeping it flat.
When breaking in a new reed, only play on it for a few minutes. Play long tones in a comfortable register. The next day, play on it a little longer, staying in a comfortable register. As the week progresses, you can play on it a little more each day stretching the register as well. By the end of the week, you can play on it for an entire rehearsal or practice session. This will help keep your reeds in good working order for a longer period of time.
For Bass Clarinet Players
1).Vandoren B44 mouthpiece or the Walter Grainer CXZ_LB ("Laurie Bloom") mouthpiece. The Vandoren is more affordable than the Grainer.
2.) Use Vandoren reeds, size 3 (dark blue box) unless otherwise instructed by private lesson teacher.
For Clarinet players
1) Mouthpieces: Vandoren B40 Lyre -- 13 Series, Vandoren M30 -- 13 Series, Vandoren M13 Lyre (only available as a 13 Series mouthpiece), or Richard Hawkins, original "S"/"Standard" model (Richard Hawkins is expensive and for advanced players).
2. Use Vandoren reeds, size 3 or higher. You can use the dark blue box (regular vandoren), the light blue box (V21-slightly easier to play on) or the Grey box (V12-for advanced players only).
For Saxophones
1.C* mouthpiece unless otherwise instructed by private lesson teacher
2.Vandoren reeds-size 3 or higher, regular dark blue box or V16 unless otherwise instructed by private lesson teacher.
3.Jazz Band-Other specific jazz reeds and jazz mouthpieces should be used for jazz band. If you are in jazz band and need to know what specifically to buy please ask a director or private lesson