A question about the clarinet?

Question:My daughter already plays the flute and for Christmas we bought her a clarinet. She seems to split the reeds constantly, why is this? Is it because she's blowing too hard or is it normal?

Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: My daughter already plays the flute and for Christmas we bought her a clarinet. She seems to split the reeds constantly, why is this? Is it because she's blowing too hard or is it normal?

It's most definitely normal.

Splitting reeds constantly is most likely the care she takes of her reeds. Most new clarinet players aren't accustomed to being "aware" that the reed is fragile. Does she take the reed off of her mouthpiece before she puts the clarinet away? If so, WATCH her put the reed back. If it's in a reed holder or back in the holder that it originally came from, she might be accidentally bumping it on the case itself before she gets it back in the slot. That easily splits reeds without her noticing.

Secondly, how does she hold the clarinet when she's in "resting" position? Swinging it around or accidentally knocking it on the music stand can crack the reed.

Lastly, when reeds get wet, they often crinkle at the tip, making the edge uneven. This makes it very easy for your child to damage it when putting it away. Try buying a reedguard where she can store her reeds. At least with this case, all she has to do is press it against the back and slide it in, instead of aiming for a hole in the case the reeds come in.
Here is a page that shows you what a reedguard looks like:

http://www.muncywinds.com/product.php?pr...

You can search for them at any music store or online music store.

Remember, the ends of the reeds are about as thin as a sheet of paper. Care must be taken with the reeds! Reed brands also are of different qualities, so for beginners I recommend Rico 2.5 reeds. Anything lower than 2 is too weak for your child since she already has experience forming an embouchure from her flute.

Good luck!

Below I linked some websites that sell reeds.

tell her to make sure the reeds are quite wet before she plays. =]

Also remind her to cushion her bottom teeth with her bottom lip when she bites down. If she's having problems, maybe try a different strength reed.

Go to the shop you got the clarinet from and ask for beginners reeds this will help .I played for years it,s a wonderful instrument for a child to play.

As a band teacher, I agree about the cushioning of the bottom teeth. There are plastic reeds, my beginners like them and their tone is really good, but I suppose bad habits might form.

Also, I suggest not skimping on the brand. Off-brands are a pig in a poke. If you are playing on too strong a reed, weird biting can occur. I Start my kids on 1 and a half, even though I know we are sacrificing tone. 2's are good in a few weeks, shoot for 2 1/2 by next year.

If you soak the reeds a little in distilled water before you play, that will make the reed a bit more flexible. Make sure the reed is also not too strong for her. (or too weak.) A beginner should be playing on a size 2 - 21/2. I like the brand Vandoren (traditionals). If you aren't sure, consult someone at a local music store or university. Hope this helps.

Beginner's reed are not stronger. Wet the reed with your saliva and, also, try a no.2 reed