Klarinet Archive - Posting 000805.txt from 1995/05

From: Natalie Meggison <nmeggiso@-----.CA>
Subj: Re: RE>Vandorens vs. Mitchell L
Date: Sun, 28 May 1995 15:24:24 -0400

I have been reading the various postings on the subject of reeds with
great interest. Over the years of playing, doing a music degree,
etcetera, etcetera, it has occured to me, that when it comes to reeds,
clarinettists are kind of snobbish. That is, there seems to be a
perception that you must play a certain brand, and a certain strength, or
you are not any good. I must admit that I play 3 - 31/2 V12's and that I
was turned on to them by an older student who felt ML's and regular
Vandoren's were not "good enough". And, I have to report that I do find
them to be a better reed...for my purposes. I think that what type of
reed you use is irrelevant if it suits your purposes, you sound good,
etcetera. People may prefer ML's because they play right out of the box,
even if they don't last, and if that is what they like, then that is ok.
I hope I am not coming on to string with the point of view. I don't mean
to offend, this is just what I think.

Now, I have a question about mouthpieces. While at university, I started
out with a Vandoren 45 and that was fine for awhile, but my teacher
suggested I try something new. He let me try his Larry Coombs, which was
very old. I LOVED it, but he also loved it and was not willing to part with
it. He ordered me my own, a Larry Coombs LC3. I really like it and have
been playing on it exclusively for several years, but it is not the same
as the one my teacher let me try. Why is this? Any suggestions will be
very appreciated!

Thanks in advance,
Natalie Meggison
Student - School of Library and Information Studies
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta
CANADA