Klarinet Archive - Posting 000214.txt from 1998/02

From: avrahm galper <agalper@-----.com>
Subj: FROM DANIEL BONADE'S REED NOTEBOOK
Date: Thu, 5 Feb 1998 04:41:50 -0500

Daniel Bonade's notebook Summer 1952
These excerpts appeared in the CLARINET, a symphony quarterly

If a reed feels too soft when playing Forte and sounds heavy when
playing Piano the probable reason is that the tip of the reed is not
soft enough.
Regardless of whether the reed is soft or strong, remember that the
vibrating area (tip and sides) must vibrate e freely enough to produce
tone.
Mistake to cut reed to get more tone, when what is actually needed is
greater vibration.
Vibrating area should be thinned with a piece of Dutch Rush and very
little at a time.

Fall of 1953
Most important thing to remember when choosing reed: strength is
immaterial (according to taste) but reed must vibrate whether soft or
strong.
Resisting part of the reed gives strength desired, but regardless of how
many time reed is cut, vibrating area must be left correctly
proportioned
Left side reed must a trifle stronger than the Right side, as bite of
the jaws press more on left side of reed than Right due to the fact the
instrument is sustained by Right hand thumb, releasing pressure on the
Right side of reed.

Spring of 1954

When reed has been cut to desired strength, try forte playing to see
amount of resistance, then, an open G. Tone should come out PP without
effort or pinching.
If soft tone is too windy (not enough vibrations) tip of reed should be
thinned (with a piece of rush) till very flexible under nail pressure.
One important thing to remember when fixing reed is that although Left
side must be stronger than Right side, when a reed is too strong when
playing PP and too soft when playing FF, probably Left side has too much
wood at the lower edge.

Summer of 1955

Watch that Tip of reed is very thin.
It does not matter if one plays soft, medium or strong, the tip of the
reed is the first part to vibrate in starting tone PP or mf.
It also allows the player to diminish tone with an even quality. Makes
the reed easier blowing.

Avrahm Galper
THE UPBEAT BAERMANN MELODIC SCALES
http://www.sneezy.org/avrahm_galper/index.html