Klarinet Archive - Posting 000465.txt from 1995/06

From: Donald Yungkurth <DYungkurth@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: squeaks
Date: Wed, 21 Jun 1995 00:59:21 -0400

Linda Shockey asks the following about squeaks:

>1. what is it about a reed that makes it squeak-prone?

1. One source I have read about reeds claims that squeaks can result if a
reed is imbalanced, i. e., the two edges are not of equal strength. This can
be detected, if the difference is large, by gently flexing the reed tip and
finding the resistence different on the two sides. If this is the case,
adjustment of the stiffer side of the reed can be done in an attempt to match
it to the softer side. A more subtle test of imbalance is to mount the reed
on the mouthpiece slightly off center (perhaps 1/32 inch), trying it both to
the right and to the left, to see if either of these positions produce better
results. If it plays better when moved to the right, it means the right side
is softer and you must adjust the left side to balance the reed. Adjustment
of one edge can result in a reed which is too soft and might require clipping
to get the strength back. There is a probably equally acceptable view that a
reed that is out of balance should just be tossed out. Obviously this is a
matter of both time and economics and you need to decide which is
appropriate. I feel that the ability to adjust reeds is a necessary part of
players skills. Judgement about when to adjust and when to toss the reed is
a matter of experience.

>2. my tutor says that you can learn to control squeaks. is this true?

In my view, if the squeaks are very frequent, with a beginner using a
relatively soft reed, the fault is probably with the instrument, the
embouchure or the fingers, rather than with the reed. These things must be
sorted out by the teacher. If there are no mechanical problems (instrument
leakage or fingering) the teacher probably means that the enbouchure is at
fault and you will learn to eliminate the squeaks as your embouchure
improves.

I hope this is of some help.

Don Yungkurth (DYungkurth@-----.com)

   
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