What size reed should a advanced beginner/early intermediate player use?(Ive been playing for 6 months) The one i use is a Rico royal 2..I dont sound all that good on it. Should i be using a different size reed? Thanks for any help.

What do you find wrong with the sound? I find that when I use a reed that is too weak, my sound is brassy, loud and unfocused. Likewise, when using a reed that is too strong, my sound grows flat and hard to control in the upper registers, and an unreasonable amount of air is required to get a good tone.

The best thing you can do is to play what is most comfortable and produces a quality sound without an extreme amount of effort. Try a 2 1/2, and see if that makes things better or worse.

Well, its sounds kinda airy and reedy from the second D and up...

i am in my second year and i am playing a size 2 1/2 so if you have only been playing for 6 months i would sujest a size 2 that is what i started on and i just move up size by size gradually

Vandoren 2. Sounds great. Started with a Rico, and I can tell the difference. It is very obvious.

Ive been playing for 2 years and i use a 3 1/2 and i love it
I wish i could fid a 4 cause 3 1/2 is O.k
and i think that with my 3 1/2 make it so much easyer to controll the upper octaves

(p.s. I use rico)

Generally you can`t compare yourself to any other clarinet-player so if you feel like 2 is to easy to play on you should try something else. I use vandoren reeds and they are great. Rico shouldn`t be as good - but again - what you feel like is what you should play. Maybe it`s nothing to do with the reed but the mouthpiece. You could try several mouthpieces in a music store to see if that`s the problem. But they are quite expensive so not to prefer I would go try some reeds as well and then try 1½, 2, 2½ and up. Then you can decide for yourself. But I would go for vandoren

If youve only been playing for six months than you shouldnt really need more than a two

hmmmmmm Is vandoren more expensive than rico or are they the same price as rico they way you guys are explaning the the sound awsome

Actually I have no idea. I`ve never used Rico And I have no idea of the price in America!?

I use Mitchell Lurie 3 1/2. On this size reed, I find it easy to obtain an excellent sound quality at any range.

:O I`ve been playing for 6 months I play a Vandoren 3 1/2.. It sounds really good, and I can even play a Vandoren 4, but it sounds a tad airy. Is this strange to be playing a reed this strong after just 6 months?

I`ve been playing 4 less than 6 months and I use a 3 1/2. I think you should start with a 1 or 1 1/2 and work your way up to harder reeds til you find one that suits you : )

The size of your reeds depends on how many muscles you have around your lips etc. So a boy on 11 and a boy on 18 shouldn`t necessarily start with the same reed size. (which was what I said in my last (maybe first) comment). Just remember it`s not a competition