Hi!
*Does anyone have any technical excercises for warm-ups?
*When I get a new clarinet, what kind?
*Do reeds change from day to day? My reeds seem different each time I play(Or is it just me?)
*Do reeds get softer as you use them?
*How long can you normally use a reed?
*What`s a good brand of reeds?
*All of my reeds have a buzz/hum noise, different than a regular buzz. Is that the reed or me?
*Is there any thing I can do over the summer to get better(Besides practice? I already do that)?

Thanks in advance for answering my questions.
Amanda

"Does anyone have any technical excercises for warm-ups?"
The C. Rose etudes are the most important techincal excersices you could find. Rose wrote two books, the "40 Etudes for Clarinet" and the "32 Etudes for Clarinet". You should try getting your hands on one or both of them.

"When I get a new clarinet, what kind?"
A good kind that`s right for you.

"Do reeds change from day to day? My reeds seem different each time I play(Or is it just me?)"
Playing conditions (room size, temperature), your mood, and the warmup routine all have effects on your tone, not just the reed.

"Do reeds get softer as you use them?"
Yes.

"How long can you normally use a reed?"
A reed that`s properly broken in, taken care of, and stored can last for weeks.

"What`s a good brand of reeds?"
The brand that plays best for you.

"All of my reeds have a buzz/hum noise, different than a regular buzz. Is that the reed or me?"
Either the reed is too strong of a size for you, or you haven`t broken them in yet. (To break in a reed, I soak them for half an hour a day for 3-4 days. Then I play on it for a couple of minutes each practice session until they get broken in. Also, I dry my reed with paper/napkin/tissue so they stay flat and not get wrinkles)

Well- A good clarinet can be one of the Big 4 brands- LeBlanc, Buffet, Selmer and Yamaha. They are all good in both the plactic and wooden clarinet markets.

A good brand of reed for a start can be Vandorens or Rico Royals. Then you can move on to Vandoren V12s or Rico Grand Concert Selects ( both of which I use presently).

I agree with most of ALOMAR`s advice, and with breaking reeds, I basically do that and usually run a few chromatic scales playing the reed to check the reeds qualities in all the registers and to properly get it broken in (much like driving a new car slowly and gradually faster and faster to break it in and get it used to speeds).

You were kind vague in advising though my friend.......

All you should do, is try all the stuff you can and find the equipment setup you feel is most comfortable for you.

Good Luck!

Bradley

Perfect practice makes nearly perfect!

Also- Rubank Intermediate and Advanced Methods Volumes I and then II(blue books) are good for learning and growth, as well as the H. Klose method book (big orange book).

Hope you do well.....

Bradley

Well my band constructor told me to use at least 2 or 3 reeds everyone time u play. Like use one reed then another.

The reason why you rotate your reeds is because, like I pointed out, reeds get softer as you play on more and more. If you use only one reed, your embechoure will weaken along with the reed.

Not to mention it is never good to get too used to any reed...

Wow...Thanks! This is a lot of help.
I`m playing on a Vandoren 3, but then I tried a 3 1/2. They were too strong, so I went back to my 3`s. My tone started to sound worse than when I started this whole reed changing business.

The whole reason I tried a higher reed, was because when I blew through it, it felt way too easy. To much air came through, and I think that made me develope a leak. Since it took less air to make music, the x-tra leaked out the sides(which made me get a lower chair on my chair test). It was hard to play qiuet, and very easy to play loud(but I squeaked). Was I right to go to a higher reed? What should I do now?

For clarinet warm-ups, my band teacher gave my a piece of paper titled "Clarinet Warm-ups". I guess I could e-mail it to you or something. And what kind of reeds? I use Rico. Clarinet? Mark II.

For clarinet warm-ups, my band teacher gave my a piece of paper titled "Clarinet Warm-ups". I guess I could e-mail it to you or something. And what kind of clarinet? Mark II.

Yeah, that would be great. My email is hawaiiangirl08@hotmail.com
thanx

Okay.

I use the Klose scales and and other technical exercises.