Klarinet Archive - Posting 000954.txt from 1997/12

From: Antoine T Clark <s2atclar@-----.edu>
Subj: Reeds
Date: Wed, 24 Dec 1997 16:44:20 -0500

I am only a sophomore in college. Dr Charles West is my instructor and he
taught me how to make reeds. If you know what you are doing then it takes
about 10 to 15 min to make a decent reed. No!, not all the blanks you get
are going to be top quality. You look for the same characteristics in the
blanks as you would in a store bought reed. For example if it has a sweet
taste a golden color and the fibers are in good condition. I am probably
the best reed maker other than my teacher at my school. This has to do with
my basic understanding of the mechanics involved and the fact that I spend
time doing it. Like practicing, you don't get good by just looking at you
horn. To me if it takes my leisure time to make a awesome reed that is
cheaper in the long run from buying an ok reed then that is how I would
spend my leisure time. Besides we have to do what makes us sound good.
However, I do respect the fact that everybody cannot make a reed or wants
to make one. It takes time and effort, like practicing!

*********************
ANTOINE CLARK
s2atclar@-----.edu
Virginia Commonwealth
Univ.

On Tue, 23 Dec 1997, Mark Charette wrote:

> Antoine T Clark wrote:
> > Besides a box Vandoren cost about $20 from a local
> > music store and from a catalog about 12 to 15 dollars. I find it much
> > cheaper to buy about 60 reeds for about $40. In a store $40 only can get
> > you about 20 reeds and half of them don't work.
>
> So that's $4.00/reed for commercial reeds using your figures.
> I probably spend less than an hour a reed getting a
> commercial one in shape.
>
> How long (average) does it take to make a good reed from a
> blank? Are any of them "duds"? I have no clue, never having
> made one.
>
> Your material cost is about .67 a reed, but since I'm a working
> stiff (not as a clarinetist :) I have to put a monetary
> value on my time. If I have to spend two or so hours per
> reed then $4.00 a reed is a bargain. If it takes only an hour
> or so then I think I'll start trying to make my own.
>
> This _does_ discount any other considerations (if making
> reeds becomes a hobby, then the value increases to whatever
> I want it to. There are also tactile pleasures in working
> materials into a new shape).
> --
> Mark Charette, Webmaster - http://www.sneezy.org/clarinet
> Web/Personal - charette@-----.org
> Business - charette@-----.com
> "There's already an educational TV channel - it's called 'off'."
> Lily Henderson, age 11
>