Klarinet Archive - Posting 000413.txt from 1997/03

From: Gary Young <gyoung@-----.COM>
Subj: Re: reed adjusting
Date: Thu, 13 Mar 1997 15:12:58 -0500

Robert Saltiel asks:

I've "graduated" from Ricos to Vandorens for a while now, from 2's to 2-1/2
and 3's, and have found that the "joke" about the one good reed seems to be
quite true! ... Please tell me some practical tips so that I may
have some wisdom/understanding as to how to approach my reeds with knife,
sandpaper, rush, etc. intelligently.

Robert, my practical tip is to stop using Vandorens and try something else.
After reading David Blumberg's comments about Grand Concert Thick Blank
reeds, I tried some (3.5s) and am on the way to being converted. They're
really a pleasure. (I'm using them on a Greg Smith 1+ mouthpiece and
Rovner ligature w/ R-13s, to the extent that makes a difference, which it
does.)

Also if you have internet access, check sneezy; I think there's something
on there with basics about reeds (e.g. balancing). (Is that right, Mike,
er, Mark?) I ordered the Grand Concert reeds from International Music
Suppliers, 800/762-1116. If you buy >1 box, they're under $9 for a box of
5.

Good luck,

Gary