Klarinet Archive - Posting 000525.txt from 1998/03

From: "David C. Blumberg" <reedman@-----.com>
Subj: re:V-12 reed question
Date: Sun, 8 Mar 1998 18:59:24 -0500

Grand Concert Thick Blank #3. Try em. The Vamp is now longer (in the
10/reeds boxes). Also discuss this with your teacher. It is the teacher's
job to find what works well with you. Listen to his/her advice, they have
the experience (hopefully).

An amusing story: When I was in 7th grade, I had been playing Rico #2 1/2
reeds. I was at a summer band camp at East Carolina Univ. and had just had
a lesson with the clarinet faculty (Luther Gillon). He gave me a Vandoren
(my first) #3, and told me to play it. It was really hard, and I was really
blowing hard to get a sound at all (Bundy M.P.). After the lesson, I went
to the clarinet sectional where they were practicing a Clarinet Choir
piece. The director was basically reaming out the choir because they were
not listening to his directions. He had just told the choir to pause at the
written // mark, and had already yelled at them for not doing that. Here I
come into the rehearsal (late from the lesson), and (after not hearing the
original directions) just run through the section (no pause) like a train.
He got so angry that he cancelled the group! Funny thing was that this
same guy was on a Univ. audition commitee 600 miles away 6 years later whom
I played for. He didn't remember me, but I sure remembered him! (needless
to say, I didn't remind him).

David Blumberg

Date: Sun, 08 Mar 1998 09:10:28 -0800
From: Lauren Peterson <lep@-----.net>
Subject: Vandoren V-12's

Hello all!

Once again I find that I need your help and advice....

My private instructor has put me on Vandoren V-12's, #3s, and they are
way too stiff. I've tried switching to a softer reed, like Rico Royals,
but they are too soft, and don't last as long. Can anyone offer me any
help?

~Lauren Peterson