Klarinet Archive - Posting 000310.txt from 1997/08

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Reed strength - Kell story
Date: Sat, 9 Aug 1997 21:51:38 -0400

At 08:29 PM 8/4/97 +0200, you wrote:
>hello all,
>How strange: it's common here (Netherlands-Europe) to begin (the children
>who start playing clarinet) with Vandoren (French cut) #1,5 or 2. We end
>with 2,5 or 3 (so for the professionals!). Why this huge difference in reed
>strength between USA and (parts of) Europe? Average mouthpiece: Vandoren
>B40/45
>Does someone have a clue? I find this quite interesting...I mean: we (soft
>reed blowers) also search for clear sound, dark colour, clearness,
>flexibility, clear altissimo register...etc. etc.
>(for instance: Walter Boeykens: 2,5-3 : Karl Leister: 2,5 )
>
>yours truly,
>
>
>
>Jeroen T. Salm
>The Netherlands
>jtsalm@-----.nl
>
>
I can't explain it either. In my area, where the closed-facing Selmer HS*
is very popular, it makes some sense. But far too many school band
directors (brass players to be sure) equate reed strength to playing
ability/tone quality. If a person's embouchure and mouthpiece require a
stiffer reed, fine. But unlike brass instruments, where increased cup
sizes result in bigger tone, an overly stiff reed will most likely muffle
tone! Unfortunately, the answer to the question "What strength reed should
I use?" is "It depends."

P.S. I play Vandoren 2 1/2 or Mitchell Lurie 3 myself. I am glad to hear I
am in good company.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.