How to Adjust Clarinet Reeds

Reed adjustment improves sound quality.

A reed consists of a thin piece of wooden cane, which is completely flat on one side and thins out as it extends to the tip. When air passes between a clarinet reed and its mouthpiece, the vibrations create a sound in response to the air and reed texture. Depending on the shape, grain and color of the reed, the quality of the sound--including the tonality and ease of articulation--can change. To achieve the best sound, take the time to make the proper reed adjustments.

Things You'll Need

• Reeds
• Reed scraping knife
• Wet/dry sandpaper (grade 400 or 600)
• Reed clipper

Instructions

1. Buy a new set of commercial reeds. Before you begin any reed adjustments, rotate between two or three new reeds to break them in for extended use. This will allow for normal warping of the reed texture and provide a backup in case your reed breaks during rehearsal. Beginners should buy thinner, size 2 reeds, while advanced players should consider purchasing size 3 or size 3 1/2 reeds.

2. Place the reed with its flat side, also known as the "bottom table," facing down on a level surface. Check its flatness. A warped reed will produce an uneven sound. If the reed wobbles or bends at any section while lying flatly on its bottom table, it may require sanding.

3. Sand the bottom table using the 400- or 600-grade sandpaper in a soft, slow circular fashion until it appears smooth. Place the reed's bottom table on a level surface to check its flatness. Sand it again, if necessary.

4. Use the reed clipper if you have a difficult time blowing into your clarinet to produce sound or if it becomes difficult to transition between high and low notes. Clip off a small part of the reed tip if it becomes uneven.

5. Use the reed knife to scrape back the bark, or the lower, thicker part of the reed. When you cut off the tip of the reed, you reduce the size of the vamp--the thinning part of the reed. However, the vamp must match the window opening of the mouthpiece in size. You will need to remove part of the bark to extend the vamp's length.

6. Sand the scraped area to blend the vamp back into the bark. Create a smooth surface from the start of the vamp to the tip of the reed.

7. Play the clarinet with the reed in place to check for proper resistance and airflow. If your instrument produces consistently even resistance and sound with minimal adjustment to airflow, you are finished. Otherwise, sand the tip to darken the sound quality and improve the reed's response.

8. Start the adjustment again with a different reed.

Tips & Warnings

• Sanding the reed too thin will make it unusable.

References

• University of Minnesota: Clarinet Reed Adjustment; Professor John Anderson
• Ridenour Clarinet Products: Essential Concepts in Adjusting Bb Clarinet Reeds; Tom Ridenour
• University of Florida: Practice and Performance Tips; Mitchell Estrin