Setting Clarinet and Saxophone Reeds with a Paper Trick

Who

This technique benefits clarinetists and saxophonists, from middle school beginners to advanced players, performing in band, orchestral, or solo settings, and band directors guiding them. Proper reed placement is crucial for students learning to produce a clear tone.

What

The challenge is positioning clarinet and saxophone reeds correctly on the mouthpiece to ensure optimal tone, response, and intonation. Incorrect placement can lead to airy sounds, poor pitch, or sluggish articulation, affecting performance quality.

Why

Misaligned reeds disrupt the vibration and airflow through the mouthpiece, causing a thin or muffled tone and unstable pitch (A=440 Hz), as noted in The Art of Saxophone Playing. The reed’s tip must align precisely with the mouthpiece’s tip, and the lips must meet the reed at the correct point to maximize vibration. Beginners often place reeds too high or low, affecting sound quality and playability.

Where

Reed placement is applied via:

• Mouthpiece and Ligature: Positioning the reed so its tip aligns with the mouthpiece tip, secured by the ligature.
• Lip Placement: Marking where the lower lip meets the reed, typically just below the tip where vibration begins.

When

Use this technique in:

• Beginner Instruction: When teaching middle school students to set up their instrument correctly.
• Reed Replacement: When installing a new reed or adjusting an existing one for rehearsals or performances.
• Tone Development: In warm-ups or lessons focusing on achieving a clear, resonant sound, like in Holst’s First Suite in Eb.
• Ensemble Tuning: During rehearsals to ensure consistent intonation across clarinet and saxophone sections.

How

To set clarinet and saxophone reeds using the paper trick:

1. Use a Piece of Paper: Slide a small piece of paper (e.g., 2×2 inches) between the reed and mouthpiece, pushing until it stops where the reed meets the mouthpiece rail. This indicates the correct alignment point, as per The Clarinet Manual.
2. Mark the Position: With the paper in place, use a pencil to mark the reed where it meets the mouthpiece tip, or hold your thumb at the spot where the paper stops to indicate where the lower lip should rest, ensuring optimal vibration.
3. Secure the Reed: Align the reed’s tip with the mouthpiece tip using the mark, then secure with the ligature, checking alignment visually.
4. Test with a Tuner: Play long tones (e.g., middle Bb for clarinet, middle C for saxophone) with a tuner to confirm pitch (A=440 Hz) and adjust embouchure for clarity.
5. Practice Tone Exercises: Use exercises like Klose’s Daily Studies to test reed response, ensuring a full, resonant tone.
6. Annotate Setup Notes: Instruct students to mark reeds consistently or note thumb placement for each setup, especially for pieces like Sousa’s Stars and Stripes Forever.
7. Check in Ensemble: Monitor tone and intonation in rehearsals, ensuring proper reed placement enhances section blend.

Conclusion

The paper trick for setting clarinet and saxophone reeds, using a piece of paper to align the reed and marking with a pencil or thumb, ensures optimal tone, response, and intonation. By teaching this technique, practicing with tuners, and reinforcing in warm-ups and repertoire, directors help clarinetists and saxophonists achieve a clear, vibrant sound. This method empowers students to excel in demanding band settings, enhancing ensemble performance.