haha, its ok...I’m going to be a senior in high school this year and I JUST started using vandorens and REALLY knowing things about them like sanding and things like that. You can generally trust the people on these boards though, we wont steer you wrong. We all play the clarinet! another thing you can do is talk to your band director and ask him what he would suggest.

I'll see when I go to the music store.I'll proply get Vandoren 3s or Rico Royal 3s (my friend uses those).

Vandoren V12's are wonderful. I often switch between them and the Rue Lepics (they are quite expensive). You get 10 reeds in a box of Vandorens. I am playing on a size 4, obviously you don't want something that hard.

A better reed case is essential. I use one from Vandoren that holds 8 reeds.

In my 8th grade year, I also used La Voz reeds for a little while at my band directors suggestion. They worked quite well and are cheaper than Vandorens.

I think I would do like Bemor tells you to. Try to buy 2-3 different reeds of each size and then decide (one is not enough since there always will be a bad one for each two )

Since the reed size is ½ size different from vandoren to rico, you should probably try 2 and 2½. I have never tried to switch to early so if you think it improves your sound, then go for it

I'll just see when i go to the music store..I think most all of my section uses Rico so..idk.

I definately agree with almost everyone on this forum. You should switch from Rico's to Vandoren. You will find out that the reed (Vandoren) will be slighty tougher to play on but well worth it. If right now you play on a Rico 2 1/2 I suggest you need to buy a couple loose Vandoren 2 1/2's. The reason for this is because a Rico 2 1/2 is actually the same as a (or pretty close) to a Vandoren 2. Therefore, please make the switch to Vandoren even if it means you are playing on the same number. Vandoren overall will give you a better tonal center to play on and will make the high squeaky notes sound so much more amazing.

As far a case goes. You should NEVER keep your reed in the pastic cases that they come in. The reason behind this is because the reed needs a flat surface to be placed on when your finished using it. This is because the reed will warp (no longer be straight) and your reed will basically become junk after that. Once it is warped you might as well throw it away.

Therefore, buy a little case to put your reeds in. Vandoren makes cases but for right now I think you would probably only need something that holds two reeds. As time goes on though, I do recommend a larger case to hold more reeds so you don't play on the same one everyday.

Find a case that has a flat surface and you'll be set!

As far as the reeds. Stick to the same size of a 2 1/2 and make the switch to Vandoren so you can feel if you are comfortable on it. Then when you're ready to move up on that buy a box of Vandoren 3's. Even though they may be more money it's worth it in the long run.

Having a good tone is everything!

I bought a box of Rico Royal 3s. The music store dosen't have a very good selection. The were $2 each and $21 somthing for a whole box! expensive much? I didn't get to look for a reed case.:-/ There's a bigger music store but it's farther away so I don't know when I'll get to go there.

Depends on what mouthpiece your playing.

Vandoren 3's are as high as you need to go at your age, if you're playing on a normal mouthpiece, like a 5RV Lyre. On that mpc, the V12 reeds (silver box) are best.

Don't leave reeds in the plastic slips, because they'll warp in just a few sessions. Glass is the flattest surface for that.

BH

I didn't have enough mony for a case. *mutters about stupid expensive reeds*

Hey!
I know everyone here already said this but go to Vandorens. I'm going onto 9th grade now and i'll probably switch to 4 and a halves. My middle school band director basically ordered all of us to use Vandorens so we had no choice. I'm not trying to put you down or anything but if you went to my school and told the others you played on Rico, they wouldn't say anything but they would think that they could win over you. I'm not rich either but I put my clarinet first.

And I used 2 and a halves in sixth grade so I'd say go up. But that's only if you feel like you have to. This is really cheesy but you have to be one with your instrument and do what you feel is right

Good luck!

I got Rico Royal 3s.

Well I hope they are better. Would you say the reed is just right, hard, or soft?

I haven't played with them yet.:D I'm at my aunts and my clarinet is at my Grandma's.