Klarinet Archive - Posting 001405.txt from 1997/10

From: Roger Shilcock <roger.shilcock@-----.uk>
Subj: Re: Reed Strengths and types
Date: Fri, 31 Oct 1997 05:37:57 -0500

A more open lay generally suits a softer reed. One difficulty is that
different reed manufacturers don't have the same standards for reed
"strength"; for instance, standard VanDoren reeds seem on average stiffer
for a given
grade than V12s - or Ricos, or Mitchell Lurie, or, apparently, Zonda
(though I've only just got some of these).
Also, a reed can seem defective when it is simply too hard for the
mouthpiece - or it can seem too hard when it is really not worth bothering
with.
A lot of people know more than I do on this.
Roger Shilcock

On Thu, 30 Oct 1997, Melanie Groundsell wrote:

> Date: Thu, 30 Oct 1997 15:29:30 +0000 (GMT)
> From: Melanie Groundsell <M.Groundsell@-----.uk>
> Reply-To: klarinet@-----.us
> To: klarinet@-----.us
> Subject: Re: Reed Strengths and types
>
>
> On Thu, 30 Oct 1997 Jrykorten@-----.com wrote:
>
> > This is a very interesting thread that keeps coming up from listserv
> > subscribers in Europe. They seem to use reeds that are a lot less strong than
> > those we use. Are there any Europeans who are studying here in the states who
> > can try a US student's setup to see if we are really playing harder setups?
> > Or do we work our reeds down to an equivalent strength? Or are there any US
> > subscribers over in Europe who can try a European clarinet player's setup and
> > report back to us?
>
> This would make a lot of sense. I have been horrified to hear that
> clarinettists are playing on 4 or 4.5 strength reeds. My average is a
> 2.5. I find the 3 too hard for me. I have been playing the clarinet for
> over 20 years now, and am a former teacher. Does the difference in
> strength arise not from the reed, but rather from the mouthpiece. Would a
> more open lay mean that a harder reed is being used in the states?
> >
> Melanie Groundsell
> Reading University Library
> Whiteknights
> Reading
> RG6 6AE
> Tel : +44 (0)118 931 8778
> Fax : +44 (0)118 931 6636
>
>
>