Klarinet Archive - Posting 001343.txt from 1997/08

From: "Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: ass clarinet reeds
Date: Sun, 31 Aug 1997 08:46:51 -0400

> From: MX%"klarinet@-----.81
> Subj: Re: ass clarinet reeds

> Dan is correct regarding tenor sax reeds....that is, until about six years
> ago. Vandoren Bass Clarinet reeds and Vandoren Tenor Saxophone reeds
> measure out exactly the same in specifications. I have used them
> interchangeably for the past six years with no discernable (did I spell
> that correctly??) difference.

Even accepting that the two reeds are now made in exactly the
same size, the likeleyhood of find reeds identified as "bass
clarinet" is some of the smaller cities of America is still
very small. Thus, tenor sax reeds are a natural choice for
whatever reason is involved.

And I add that Vandoren may have made both reeds the same size,
but that does not mean that all reed makers have effected this
standardization.

>
> Lawrie Bloom uses size 4 Vandoren Bass Clarinet reeds...and uses a reed
> knife to scrape the grain/bark at the corners. He doesn't sand the backs,
> but I do.....to flatten and seal.
>
> Whatever works! The more ideas, the better!
>
> Roger Garrett
>
> On Sat, 30 Aug 1997, Dan Leeson: LEESON@-----.edu wrote:
>
> > > From: MX%"klarinet@-----.18
> > > Subj: Re: ass clarinet reeds
> >
> > > Does anyone have any good suggestions for reeds for the bass clarinet? I
> > > currently use a Selmer HS ** mouthpiece with a Vandoren inverted bass
> > > clarinet ligature. Thanks.
> >
> > Once, when I went to do some coaching with Mazzeo, he looked at my
> > box of reeds and said, "Why are you using bass clarinet reeds?"
> >
> > I was surprised at the question and asked him, "What do you want me
> > to use on a bass clarinet?"
> >
> > To which he responded, "Tenor sax reeds."
> >
> > I switched and never went back to b.c. reeds. I also do not suggest
> > that this is a truism for everyone, but I was very satisfied with
> > several things: (1) I got more good reeds out of a box of tenor
> > sax reeds than I ever did for bass clarinet reeds; (2) the slightly
> > different physicality of the reeds enabled me to play more freely,
> > I think; mind you, I don't really know, but emotionally I wound
> > up preferring the t.s. reeds and never used a b.c. reed again;
> > (3) I could get t.s. reeds anywhere in America, but try and find
> > b.c. reeds in Missoula, MT (where I was once on tour and was
> > given a box of Syccone Symmertricut reeds because that was all they
> > had, and not a one of them was worth a tinker's damn.), or
> > Montezuma, GA (where I also needed some reeds).
> >
> > Perhaps it was my respect for Mazzeo that caused me to come to that
> > conclusion, but for whatever reason was involved, I was satisfied
> > and, for a clarinet player, that is about as good as it is going
> > to get.
> >
> >
> > >
> > >
> > =======================================
> > Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
> > Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California
> > leeson@-----.edu
> > =======================================
> >
>
=======================================
Dan Leeson, Los Altos, California
Rosanne Leeson, Los Altos, California
leeson@-----.edu
=======================================