Klarinet Archive - Posting 000936.txt from 1998/03

From: Edinger/Gilman <wde1@-----.com>
Subj: oboe reed for octave shift
Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 19:20:35 -0500

Finally, after keeping my oboe reed from woodwinds class in my case for
a little over 25 years, Dan Leeson has given me an opportunity to use
it! Alas, though I tried the suggested experiment using the oboe reed in
a cork in place of the mouthpiece, even after lots of soaking and gentle
attention, I couldn't get it to speak at all in the clarinet. I don't
think enough air could get through. Fortunately, I also kept my basson
reed from the same class (I was a biology major but needed to become
familiar with other woodwinds - even received the "guess what woodwind
I'm playing now?" award at the end of the year). With a little extra
extension piece, I was able to place it in the same way and lo and
behold, it's true! It really does make the register key an octave key!
However, I could only get it to play in the E'-D'-C'-A' range (at the
low end of the staff). Other notes drifted badly flat or sharp. But my
tuner confirmed the octave shift, though with terrible intonation
problems. A new toy to show folks at band rehearsal!

Bill Edinger