That`s hardly a good arguement, Jen :D

Wooden reeds aren`t that easily breakable! Not to mention, plastic ones are stronger, but certainly also prone to breaking.

There`s nothing wrong with plastic reeds, though. I haven`t had many good experiences with fiberacell ones, but legere reeds are fanstastic and I know and have heard of many artists who play and even record on them.

I know fibracells arn`t at the top of the list for synthetics and that syntetics do break too...I have broken many they just seem to stand up to my muderouse activities better than wooden ones. They are also great for teaching because they don`t need to be wet so I can grab my clarinet when ever and play. I really want to try leger but I live in hicktown canada...so it is hard for me to get my hands on anything. I am thinking i am going to be doing a lot of internet ordering soon cause there is so much I need.

I think you pretty much have to order legeres online. I`ve never seen them around local stores. Anyways, Mr. Legere is very helpful and they get an A+ for customer service from me, so you should def check them out.

I`ve noticed my Micael luerie(sp) reeds are way thinner than my V12`s as I can litterally tighten my ligature all the way vs. the Vandoren`s I use.. I use 3 1/2 and 4 reeds. It`s the same way for both strengths.

Reed-wise I am currently experimenting with the Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic 3.5+s. For you people who are wondering if the 56 Rue Lepic is `one-step-above`, personally I don`t think they`re very good at all (corresponding to the previous statement of "Expensive is NOT better!". I`ve tried many types of reeds, yet I haven`t found one that I like. I`ve tried Queens, Zondas, and Vandoren (Traditional/V12/56RL). I`m not satisfied with them, though I do think the Zondas are good for marching. I am tempted to try Olivieris and Gigliotti Plus.

Personally I play a Gigliotti Maestro mouthpiece and I`m very pleased with it. Its just that its pretty hard for me to find a selection of reeds that I like. Nice topic.

I spent so many years fussing over breaking in reeds, clipping, sanding, soaking... the whole 9 yards...

it`s not worth the effort...

buy a full pack of reeds and cycle through all of them each time you switch out a reed - individual reeds will play differently at different times... what i do is number each reed (writing on its individual case), then go through them. If one performs particularly well or badly during practice, i make a note of it on the inside of the box they came in. if one consistently performs sub-par (say 3 times in a row), then i`ll toss it, and if one or two are consistently good, I know which to turn to when a performance comes up.


ON BRANDS... i`ve found the one thing you can rely on time and again w/ any given brand is this: consistency. I`ve had great reeds in service from many brands, but i`ve found that vandoren V12s are probably the most consistent... if you buy a pack, each individual reed inside will perform similarly to its neighbors. I find that important... if a reed breaks mid-performance, and I have to swap out to another, I know the one i`m throwing in will perform similarly, and i won`t need to make adjustments.

the only other brand i`ll mention is Rico... b/c they`re conistency is notoriously BAD in my experience. That`s not to say they don`t make good reeds (they do!), but it`s like having to gamble every time you pick one up ^^;

I am a Freshman in the band and I play on a Hite M-41 modle and a 3 - 3 1/2 Vandorian origional reed. Read the things http://www.jdhite.com/mouthpieces/clarmpc.htm#Bbclarinet had to say about hite mouth peices.
J & D Hite Bb clarinet mouthpieces
The four standard models in the J & D HITE Bb clarinet mouthpiece line have proven to be those most preferred, most versatile and most "user friendly". The facings have been designed in conjunction with the interior contours and dimensions for optimum results. HITE Bb clarinet mouthpieces are available either with or without J&D Hite patented ligature and plastic cap. (To order mouthpieces with ligature and cap precede the catalogue number with "LC." For example: LC121-D. Price for a HITE Bb clarinet mouthpiece with ligature and cap is $126.00. )

J & D Hite Bb clarinet mouthpiece, Model D
Catalogue number: 121-D
Retail price: $ 120.00
Facing: Medium length, .041" tip
Our "D" model mouthpiece is the original (ca. 1980) HITE interior design which is closely aligned with the traditional classic orchestral facing. The mouthpiece balances well with a Vandoren No. 4 or Vandoren V-12 No. 3½ reed (or comparable). Compared to the "M41" model which has the identical facing, the "D" internal dimensions tend to produce a darker, rounder tonal character.
J & D Hite Bb clarinet mouthpiece, Model J
Catalogue number: 121-J
Retail price: $ 120.00
Facing: Medium length, .043" tip
The "J" model Bb clarinet mouthpiece is the best choice for players who prefer a somewhat softer Vandoren No. 3 type reed and are more comfortable with greater amplitude of reed vibration at the tip. This model may prove to be more comfortable for higher elevation locales and is usually the model preferred by saxophonists who are doubling on clarinet.
J & D Hite Bb clarinet mouthpiece, Model M
Catalogue number: 121-M (formerly model M41)
Retail price: $ 120.00
Facing: Medium length, .041" tip
The core design for the "M41" model mouthpiece was developed in response to orchestral players who want a livelier sound for projection and resonance in large concert halls. The altissimo (third register) is extremely stable, full-bodied and accessible. The bore and channel contours tend toward a leaner, more centered sound when compared to the "D" model which has the same facing measurements.
J & D Hite Bb clarinet mouthpiece, Model H
Catalogue number: 121-H
Retail price: $ 120.00
Facing: Medium long length, .041" tip
The "H" model was new to the J&D HITE line as of March 2000 and was further modified in late 2002. Using newly designed chamber and bore dimensions, the extra facing length on the "H" model functions well with thicker cut reeds made of less dense cane such as the Vandoren V-12`s. The interior design and facing length can add extra depth to the sound, especially for more advanced experienced players.

I use Gennusa "Excellente" mouthpiece--simply the best I`ve ever played, and Canyes Xilema reeds--so much better than Van Doren. www.redwinejazz.com (for Gennusa) and www.xilema.net (for reeds)

i like vandoren v16 21/2 and a dukoff d5

heres the best mouthpieces perhaps. Either way they`re pretty cool. http://www.pomaricompieces.com/clarinet.html
link should work...

Has anyone tried the Mozart reeds?

i was told be my professional private lesson teacher that Vandorrens are the best, and next in line are Ricos