Klarinet Archive - Posting 000160.txt from 1993/11

From: Tom Ascher <U15310@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Diana's comments on reeds
Date: Mon, 22 Nov 1993 10:30:48 -0500

Interesting that the videotape that I mentioned from Van Doren, along with
explaining how reed cane is grown, under what conditions, when harvested,
how cut, aged, etc., etc. has the comment, what would happen if clarinetists
would spend the same time they spend agonizing over reeds, adjusting them,
etc., in PLAYING, how much better their playing would be!

In the tape, they mention taking each reed out of the box, and giving a
light sanding on the back, on a glass surface to eliminate any possible
warpage that might develop in traveling from one climate to another. Then,
keeping several reeds active, and playing them in sequence, using a new reed
each time you use the clarinet, so you always have several active, and then
learning to master the reeds, not havng them master you! I believe the concept
is that you are always going to have statistical variation among reeds, so if
you are going to be successful and content, you must have enough range and
tolerance in your embouchure so that you can get good performance out of a
range of reeds. So, if you keep 4-8 reeds active and get in the habit of
continually alternating among several reeds, you will get used to adjusting
your playing to fit.

Tom Ascher Bitnet: u15310=uicvm
Associate Director, Data Resources Internet: u15310@-----.edu
University of Illinois at Chicago Phone: (312) 413-3665