Klarinet Archive - Posting 000512.txt from 1996/07

From: "Fogle, Bill" <bill.fogle@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: Embouchre
Date: Fri, 26 Jul 1996 17:56:35 -0400

Jack wrote about lip pressure and reed strength:

>Now I use a #3 Van Doren V12 reed on a Clark Fobes mouthpiece
>but I have tried using a Van Doren B45 and 5RV and still use the same reed.
>Although I don't have plans on changing I am curious as to how
>much pressure others use. I am especially interested in those of
>you who use #4 reeds or harder. I have tried close tip, long lay
>mouthpieces but I still could not use as hard of reeds that I
>hear mentioned here. So my question to the group who uses hard
>reeds is do you use lots of lip pressure or do you have some
>incredible breath support?

I use double-lip with #4 reeds which I shave with the reed knife
in the belief that I am "tailoring" the reed to the present mouthpiece
(open admission: I use many mouthpieces . . . .I like them all . . .it's
an issue of my mood at the time I play). I apply stronger and stronger
pressure which I must periodically release throughout my playing
session. My embouchure therefore stays relatively relaxed but tending
to greater pressure.

My Musical Though For The Weekend: a too soft reed hurts more
to play than a too strong one. (Pardon my pre-weekend somewhat
playful mood). ---Bill Fogle.