Klarinet Archive - Posting 000194.txt from 1997/03

From: Greg Barrett <gbarrett@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: PerfectaReed
Date: Wed, 5 Mar 1997 15:27:57 -0500

Simon Aldrich wrote:

"Does anyone use a Perfectareed or any other thickness guage in making
or adjusting his/her reeds? What have been your experiences with such
a machine? Might anyone have one that they no longer use and might
want to sell?"

I used a PerfectaReed extensively for a year when I was an undergraduate
at Northwestern in 1980-81. Wes Foster (now in Vancouver), was my
teacher and recommended it. It was a helpful tool for a clarinetist
just beginning to learn how to balance reeds. After using the
PerfectaReed for several months I had learned how to judge my reeds by
touch, playing feel, and visual inspection. At that point the
PerfectaReed was unnecessary and time consuming to use.

Greg Barrett
Professor of Clarinet
Jacksonville State University
Alabama