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Doublereed Archive - Posting 000068.txt from 2006/03

From: "Lawrence Rhodes" <primobassoon@-----.net>
Subj: [DR-L] Re: doublereed Digest 23 Mar 2006 10:01:01 -0000 Issue 951(playing soft)
Date: Fri, 24 Mar 2006 18:45:33 -0500

Playing softly depends on the reed, school of playing & ability. Some
schools of playing bassoon do not stress dynamics. All the better players I
know that do opera can play soft. Symphonies don't seem to stress wide
dynamics. From my experience those dynamics aren't heard or are rather
drowned out by a big string section. Chamber music is different. The
techniques I use seem to allow me to play softly. I use a reed with a 1 1/8
inch blade. The tube is the same length. Using a narrow part of a
Hertzberg shaper(cane about 5 inches long) I have spine measurements of
.042" at the collar. .033" 3/4" in. .022" 1/8" from the tip. These three
measurements can be gotten with most single profilers. The most important
are the back & middle. Just finish the tip normally. Don't let the e or c#
sag. This kind of reed though heavy is stable and plays well when pinched
which is what you want when playing soft. It also opens up when playing
loud for a wide dynamic range. It's my secret weapon for control of the
instrument. Properly balanced a reed with these dimensions will last longer
& give a very solid sound. All my notes regardless of the tendancies of the
instrument are equaled out so a low F# is no more edgy than you want it to
be. Did I mention I can attack any note on the instrument at ppp. When I
give my reed to others they can instantly do the same thing. Another tip is
to blow a little air through the reed with the fingered note you want to
play. It give you feedback of how the horn will speak. I never use mutes
or cheater fingerings. There is no need with reeds like this.
Lawrence Rhodes
Bassoon/Contrabassoon
Reedmaker
Book 4/5 doubler
Electric Vehicle & Solar Power Advocate
Vegetable Oil Car.
415-550-8585
primobassoon@-----.net

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