Klarinet Archive - Posting 000398.txt from 1997/03

From: Dirk Kussin <dirk@-----.de>
Subj: Re: Vandoren V12 for beginners?
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 1997 09:26:18 -0500

My dealer plays the clarinet himself (since his childhood, and he
seems to be in his 50s) and seems to be very expierenced with this
subject. On the other hand, he plays with a plastic reed, and maybe he
isn't the authority for wood reeds. (He says, each classical clarinet
player would commit suicide when he hears that he plays a plastic
reed.)

In the moment I still cannot decide myself which reed is good or which
is bad, or if #2 is better than #2,5 or #3, or conversely. They all
seem to be equally bad;-) The next time I need new reeds I will try
the V-12's. #2 then should be a good choice?

Dirk

David> Dirk, Unfortunately, most dealers are not Clarinetists and can
David> only read what is on the box of reeds, with no personal
David> experience to go on. The V-12 is the heck of a lot more
David> consistent then the regular Vandoren, so you are much better
David> off using a reed that most of the reeds in a box work.
David> Companies like Vandoren, etc. put the word Professional on the
David> box because "any self respecting ((ego)) professional
David> clarinetist would only use the best" and if it said student on
David> the box, it would somehow be an inferior product. Bottom line
David> is, get the best reed that you can afford- you can't afford to
David> play a bad reed. Drop at least 1/2 (to a full) strength to go
David> to V-12's I start most beginners on Grand Concert Thick #2, and
David> or Mitchel Lurie Premium #2 (softer), and not only do they play
David> great, but they are consistent. Tell your dealer to stick to
David> guitars!

David> David C. Blumberg Principal Clarinet Riverside Symphonia
David> reedman@-----.com

--
Dirk Kussin dirk@-----.de
Fachbereich 17 Mathematik-Informatik Raum D2.323
Universitdt-GH Paderborn Tel. (+49) (5251) 60-2636
D-33095 Paderborn ----------------------------------------------