hey i heard that plain reeds (like the bottom of the reed is plain and has no patters) are not as good as reeds that have brown lines or some sort of other pattern running throough. Is this a rumour or is this true?
thanks

Yeah I`ve heard this too. If it is true then maybe it`s something to do with the quality of the cane. But I`d be interested to find out if it is true if anyone can tell us.

I find it to be true w/ both vandoren and rico, but mainly vandoren. i`m sorry, but rico just doesn`t compete w/ any vandoren reed w/ or w/o the brown on it. The more brown on the bottom of the reed (not the part that goes in your mouth, the better the sound quality, at least for me.

I say it`s true, if it`s just dots. If it`s stripes I don`t think it does matter.

Actually, it does still make a difference if it is stripes, but there are few with big stripes from top to bottom. Now, of course if the bottom is painted blackish or brownish, it doesn`t matter, but that`s beside the point.

Jen

anyone principal clarinet player here?

uh...what`s a principal clarinetist? you`ll have to forgive me. in my school band i`m the only clarinetist and girl with three trumpets and two trombones (one trombonist plays violin in band, too, so i guess it`s an orchestra), so, i have no idea what one is.
Jen

It depends on the reed brand you use. Some reeds have no "brown strips" running through them and they are great to play on.

I`ve had many good concerts and won many solo contest without any strips/dots/etc. in my reed that I was playing on.

It the way you prepare the reed before playing it. Soaking it in water 1 minute before you play it vs. soaking it in your mouth right before you play.

Which is the better? Often I first soak my reed and then wipe it off,it makes it a little easier to avoid that "gurgling" sound.

I never noticed the dots or stirps

Hmm..what brand do u use? i know that ricos don`t normally have the brown stipes or dots, but vandorens normally have them. that`s partially why i don`t use ricos because even with vandorens the sound is not as good when there aren`t any of the brown stuff. i`ve used rico too but it doesn`t sound as good even with the brown.

so you`re implying reeds with brown dots/ strips are better?

In my experience, yes, brown stripes/dots make the reed quality better, but that doesn`t mean in each and every case. The stripes seem to be better.

that`s dumb. i don`t think patterns or brown dots make a difference on the reed

what`s this about? you can actulaly tell how good a reed is physically?