Klarinet Archive - Posting 000088.txt from 1997/08

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: Reed strength - Kell story
Date: Mon, 4 Aug 1997 09:12:26 -0400

This conversation reminds me of a Reginald Kell story I heard once.
Mr. Kell was performing in Denver, and went to a local music store asking
for Vandoren #2 reeds (I'm pretty sure that was the strength). The music
store clerk (yeh, you know....) said to him " here is a box of #3's - all
the good players play on these."

David C. Blumberg

Date: Sun, 03 Aug 1997 10:25:54 -0400
From: "Craig E. G. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subject: Re: Student Books (Vandoren 3.5)

Indeed, the Vandoren 3.5 is too stiff for any beginner. I started on
3s, and 2.5s for a time, before graduating to the 3.5. I think the
beginner should be more concerned with making a tone, and working on
rounding it as well as the embouchure.

The stronger reed just polishes the tone, and adds the ability for a
much clearer altissimo register, the latter of which the beginner will
not need right away, and the former which I believe should first be
worked on with embouchure.

- ----------------
Craig Countryman
cegc@-----.net
David C. Blumberg
reedman@-----.com