Klarinet Archive - Posting 001250.txt from 1997/10

From: "Craig E. G. Countryman" <cegc@-----.net>
Subj: Re: 4.5!!!?
Date: Mon, 27 Oct 1997 14:07:45 -0500

And I think that all these different stories go to prove that different
people require different size reeds. I started with a Vandoren 3 on a
stock mouthpiece and did fine. Since that time (3 years), I've moved up
to a 3.5 and I might stay there for the rest of my career. At this
point the tone is good, and there is no need for me to change.

Still others in our band play on 2s and 2.5s after many more years,
while this one girl plays on a four -- don't ask me how -- so I say that
as long as it works, go with it. There are general rules obiviously,
but the student should really start where he can get a good basic
understanding of tone production and progress only when he is capable as
determined jointly by himself and the teacher.

Laine wrote:
>
> I agree with Jeroen, at least in relation to myself. I just started playing
> the clarinet 3 months ago, on my own, after a 20 or so year break. I
> couldn't get a proper tone on a 2.5 reed, I could barely get any sound out.
> So I went and bought a 1.5 reed and was able to finally play something. And
> now I am working up as I get more proficient.
>
> I don't know if I would have stuck it out, if I had to play on the 2.5 reed
> initially. And I am glad I switched to the lower reed, even if it is
> considered a "kids" sized reed.
>
> Regards,
> Laine
>
> >>I am astonished by the fact that you (USA) gays/teachers give the
> beginners
> reeds with pretty heavy strength, i.e.: Vandoren #3 or higher. Here, in
> Europe that is not at all a normal (but what is normal?) procedure: a lot
> of us begin with giving the kids (9 years old) #1,5 or #2! What a
> difference! When I give my kiddies something above #2 it is impossible to
> give a proper tone. So, why is here such a vast difference between Europe
> and USA?
> Jeroen T. Salm
> The Netherlands>>

--
Craig Countryman
cegc@-----.net
http://www.geocities.com/Vienna/1711

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"If you rest, you rust."
-Helen Hayes