Klarinet Archive - Posting 000250.txt from 1994/05

From: Dawn Anthes <danthes@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: Reeds. . . a general observation for your comments
Date: Fri, 13 May 1994 21:58:52 -0400

I agree with Stan Geidel that the ratio of working to non-working reeds
does not really increase with large amounts of work. When I was in High
School I found that about 3-4 reeds out of a box of 10 (bscl Vandoren or
La Voz 3 1/2-4) would generally work. Upon arriving at college I
was encouraged to buy a lot of reed equipment, reed knife, file, reed
clipper, etc... and found that now, out of a box of 10 reeds, 3-4 would
work. However, I have noticed that judicious aplication of the reed
equipment will tend to extend the life of the reed and help maintain a
good tone. Hmmmmmm...

Dawn M. Anthes email:danthes@-----.edu
***************************************
* I'd rather be playing Bass Clarinet *
***************************************

On Fri, 13 May 1994 00smgeidel@-----.EDU wrote:

> Greetings!
>
> My observation after "fighting the reed battles" for many years...
>
> While a student at Juilliard I spend countless hours working on reeds. I
> developed my own approach to reed preparation and adjustment, and had mixed
> results with it.
>
> While playing professionally I again spent countless hours working with reeds,
> adjusting them, preparing them, managing them...I had mixed results.
>
> As a university teacher I AGAIN spent long hours working with reeds...by this
> time I had developed a routine I felt good about. After my efforts adjusting
> them, manipulating them...well, I had mixed results.
>
> Now that I am in my second career as an administrator in an academic library,
I
> find I have no time to devote to reeds. I simply try out the reeds as they
come
> from the box. I ENCOUNTER VIRTUALLY THE SAME RATIO OF USABLE REEDS VERSUS
> UNUSUABLE REEDS THAT I EXPERIENCED WHEN I DEVOTED HOURS AND HOURS
> TO WORKING ON THEM. THE BIG DIFFERENCE IS THAT I'VE GIVEN UP WORRYING ABOUT
> THEM. And, it's my belief that since I no longer worry about them, I
> concentrate simply on PLAYING THEM. To me, concentrating on PLAYING reeds
means
> developing flexibility. I feel this has made a signifcant difference for me
> in that I no longer need to find the reed that suits me; I can successfully
> play reeds of differing characteristics.
>
> Your comments, please!
>
> Stan Geidel
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
> Dr. Stanley M. Geidel | Personal replies to:
> University Libraries |
> Ball State University | Internet: 00smgeidel@-----.edu
> Muncie, IN 47306 | Bitnet: 00smgeidel@-----.bitnet
> (317) 285-5143 |
>
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
>