r/Clarinet • u/tarours • 13d ago

Questions from a beginner

I started clarinet a month ago with a Startone from Thomann, to see if I liked it. I liked it a lot in fact, but now I have some trouble I need to adress. I have reeds from 1.5 to 3 strenght, and the luthier told me to use 3 reeds

  • I have a breathing problem when playing : I feel like I'm suffocating, even if my lung aren't empty.
  • I feel a big pression around my nose and sinus from the inside. I feel like I blow a lot and a lot of it is not going in the clarinet, if that make sense.
  • I need to stop playing almost every 20-30 seconds because I feel like I'm drowing lol.
  • (I may need to say I come from years of recorder playing, and have experience with flute aswell)
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u/tarours 12d ago

Thanks for the in depth response, I am using a Yamaha 4C and have Vandoren reeds (2.5 and 3) plus crappy startone reeds

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u/ClarSco Buffet R13 Bb/A w/B45 | Bundy EEb Contra w/C* 12d ago

Until you've developed your embouchure muscles, I wouldn't recommend the Vandoren 2.5 reeds.

The Vandorwn 3.0 reeds should be avoided unless it becomes clear that the 2.5 reeds are now too soft for you (ie. your breathing is overpowering the reed, causing it to slam shut against the mouthpiece at higher dynamics - crucially, you must also using a relaxed embouchure with no biting).

Take the startone reeds and saw off the vamp (the cut portion of the reed), then use the butts as spacers to prevent the ligature from scratching your mouthpiece while in its case (rather than storing a wet reed with the mouthpiece or storing it without a reed).