Klarinet Archive - Posting 000755.txt from 1997/02

From: Martin PERGLER <pergler@-----.EDU>
Subj: Projecting better?
Date: Sat, 22 Feb 1997 12:26:27 -0500

For the past few years, I've been playing (as an amateur) mostly
chamber music, and in a 40-70 member orchestra in a medium sized
hall. I've developed a tone and projection that I am (relatively)
happy with in the that environment.

Now I am playing in a 100 member orchestra in a 1000-seat hall. I'm
having trouble projecting more (when playing solos) while keeping
my tone from becoming forced. What sorts of conscious modifications
do you more experienced players go through when playing in such
an environment? Any hints on what I should concentrate on in order to
improve?

I'm using a Kaspar "13" mouthpiece with a Bonade inverted ligature. I'm
vacillating back and forth between Van Doren V12 4's and Zonda 3.5 reeds.
>From what I've heard, this setup is fairly standard, so ought not be
the limiting factor. Correct? Perhaps I need to change something about my
embouchure?

On the right day, the right reed *will* let me project with nice tone. So
perhaps I should instead bite the bullet and learn more about reed
adjusting and be pickier about reed choice: now I do just a bit of
soaking, sanding, and polishing while breaking in, possibly with a (not
usually effective) side scrape or two to improve stacatto response. I find
I tend to find about 4 of 5 Zondas "usable", and 4 or 5 of 10 Van
Dorens. It tends to be one of the (slightly harder) Van Dorens which
will suddenly one day let me project better, though I'm generally
more pleased with the response and tone flexibility I get from the Zondas.
(I don't mean this as an evaluation of either brand of reed...some of it
may be strength related too...more as just some blathering to describe at
what level I presently "worry" about reeds)

Any hints/suggestions much appreciated. Incidentally, I've been told
I have good breath control, so I'm not worrying too much about that
(voice lessons have been a big help!).

Martin

-------------------------------------------------------
Martin Pergler pergler@-----.edu
Grad student, Mathematics http://www.math.uchicago.edu/~pergler
Univ. of Chicago