Hi, please forgive a few newbie questions that I couldn't find when searching the forum.

I've bought my first clarinet. It's a B&H 400 and looks as if it is made of wood. I had no idea how complex the keywork is on a clarinet and was very pleased to see that this one looks to be of good qaulity.
One of the keys has a spring missing, but I guess that this can be held down with an elastic band for a while.
It cost half the price of a plastic "Xaphoon" that I was considering buying and could be a far, far better buy.

But, I'm struggling to play the thing. I should rephrase that....I'm struggling to get it to make a noise. I can get duck calls from the mouthpiece but when mounted, just horrible sqeals and some short lived notes.

I had read that a mouthpiece is often suited to a particular reed strength and that some may not play well or easily with a different reed.

I don't know if this mouthpiece is original, it has no markings other than a number "6". I had bouht a few 2.5 reeds to try. Will it be worth trying other strengths? Or even a different mouthpiece?


Regards, Dave...

I've tried another reed and changed its position on the mouthpiece a little. It seems much better, but perhaps very breathy.
What will be the effect on playability if i try some No 3 Rico reeds?

I strongly urge you to have a single trial lesson with a professional clarinet teacher. A half-hour session will give you what you need to know. Asking questions like yours on a forum will not help to any great extent.

Best of luck and let us know how you get on.

As clarinet99 says - have at least one lesson from a pro teacher. Answering this sort of question on a forum is like expecting a doctor to give a diagnosis remotely.

There are so many variables - every mouthpiece maker uses a different numbering system; instruments vary with how they react to different mouthpieces & reeds; this applies to the player as well.

Another aspect is that your clarinet, being a used one, might not be airtight which can cause difficulties. As there is a broken spring I would suggest that the first thing is to get it checked out by a technician & then move on to a lesson. (Many otherwise competent teachers are not good at noticing & diagnosing problems on instruments)

Good luck & have fun playing.

what size reed do you have and whats the brand

Hi, thanks for the advice.
I guess that getting the clarinet checked and/or serviced would be a good way to start, but want to try before I commit to much more expense.
I hadn't thought of an introductory lesson, that could be a very worthwhile start. It would be good if I could blow the thing before I turned up for a lesson, so will try a little more before I investigate this.

I bought a 3 pack of Rico 2.5 reeds. I know from my limited efforts to play notes on my bamboo "sax" that the difference between 1.5, 2 and 3 Rico reeds is quite dramatic to the sound, and some change to the way it is blown.

Managed to get some better notes today. The progression of the notes sounds about right over a limited range and all the keys seem to seal.