Klarinet Archive - Posting 000093.txt from 1994/05

From: "Hard Reed@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Reeds, sounds, etc....
Date: Wed, 4 May 1994 18:59:03 -0400

Well, I tried sending this posting a couple of days ago, but alas, with no
success.....Perhaps today is my lucky day?

Yes, a good player (an accomplished player?) could, most likely, slap on any
available reed and sound good to almost any listener at any time.....but is
that what we want?

When I "pick out" a reed (I sometimes think that the reed selects me!), I not
only look for a specimen that sounds "good" but one that sounds like me! I
have, as have many others, spent years developing the kind of sound that I
want to project to my colleagues and audience, and I work with my setup to
that end. I certainly don't mean to imply that my sound is rather narrow and
uninteresting.....I think it to be quite flexible, thank you! On the other
hand, I believe those with whom I perform would like to have an idea what to
expect from me day in and day out--not only with regards to pitch and style,
but in sound! We must function together as a woodwind section, and while I
primarily think of the "solo" aspect of what I am doing sound-wise, I must
never ignore the "ensemble" aspect! Yes, I can sound good--as can all of
you--on almost any reed.....but do I want to sound THAT way?

I believe the answer to that is NO!

My hours of working with (on?) reeds is not to simply sound good. The work I
do with my reeds is to get one (or more!) of them to sound a certain way, the
way I want them to sound, the way I want ME to sound. A reed that does not
"qualify" does not mean it is a "bad" reed......it's just not a reed for me!

Yes, there is a lot of bad cane out there, and yes, there are a lot of bad
reeds out there.....but there are plenty that can be played!

As far as equipment goes, well, I never have been one to turn my back on a
product of one sort or another.....however, if one were to look in my
clarinet case, you would find, more or less, the same stuff with which I have
been making a living for many a year! Don't get wrapped up with equipment!
Be content with what you have until you KNOW you have something in your hands
that is REALLY better for YOU! You'll know it when it happens......and it
doesn't happen all that often! For better or worse, I'm still playing on my
R-13s and I still haven't found an instrument that I like better overall
(sure, it isn't perfect--what is?--but it still gives me what I want, and
nothing else has up to now), and I can say the same for my mouthpiece,
ligature, case cover, music stand and wife! (well, I haven't tried different
wives, as it tends to be a tad bit expensive!). I don't shy away from trying
new and "improved" things out, but they have to show me quite a lot of
improvement if I'm to toss out old and true friends!

I suppose I can add my two cents worth on the "blowing out"
controversy.....but another day!

Larry Liberson aka Hard Reed@-----.com