Klarinet Archive - Posting 000570.txt from 1997/12

From: Tim Roberts <timr@-----.com>
Subj: Reed Physics
Date: Thu, 11 Dec 1997 19:42:43 -0500

Is there a web site which discusses the physics of reeds, or perhaps a go=
od
book?

I am a "dedicated amateur." I've seen others clipping, sanding or making
other physical adjustments to their reeds, but I've always been hesitant
because I couldn't predict what the effect of any particular adjustment
might be. What does clipping the end do to the reed? (And "shorten it",
while correct, is not the answer I seek...) What about sanding the surfa=
ce?

Is there an "algorithm" for choosing a particular strength of reed, beyon=
d
simply trying each one? I had long held the na=EFve notion that strength=
was
somehow directly related to sophistication; beginning players play 1=BD o=
r 2,
and gradually move up the scale as they "mature". I've come to realize
this is a foolish notion, but I don't have a solid explanation with which
to replace it.

I've also been experimenting with non-cane reeds. Cane purists will want
to stop here and move on to the next message. ;) Does anyone else use t=
he
"plasticover" plastic-coated cane reeds from Rico? They seem to last
forever, and the tone stays exactly the same from week to week. My
Fibrecell reed is OK, but a bit bright for my taste. I have one clear
plastic reed which has a nice, very consistant, warm tone for me; I would
like to use it full-time, but I get a chirp or squeak when rapidly
attacking middle-of-the-staff D, Eb and E. Is this a familiar problem
which perhaps has a known method of correction?
--
- Tim Roberts
Providenza & Boekelheide, Inc.
timr@-----.com