Klarinet Archive - Posting 000278.txt from 1998/04

From: "Lorne G. Buick" <lgbuick@-----.net>
Subj: Re: High Altitude Reed Adjustment
Date: Mon, 6 Apr 1998 23:26:34 -0400

I would agree with lesley, quoted below (on the basis of 13 years touring
with the Vancouver Wind Trio) - the description we have is "it's like
blowing through a sock full of sh*t". You'll probably find you have to
breathe more often than usual too. Preparation-wise, I would recommend
having a good selection of reeds, mostly slightly softer than what you use
at home, and the more thoroughly broken in they are in advance the less
they'll change. Sometimes old reeds work well (but not if they're starting
to get dull-sounding and unresponsive). Look for reeds that are efficient
(ie give the most sound for the least effort). If you have enough time in
Colorado before you have to play, you can take partly broken-in new reeds
and adjust them there, but I try to avoid that if possible.

> i would have to guess that your reeds will get hard and "fuzzy", not very
> clear sounding...that's what mine do...and the smaller, the more drastic the
> difference...i don't even take oboe reeds anywhere new...i start over...
>
> -lesley mcclelland

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LGB Lorne G Buick On the road again
lgbuick@-----.net Somewhere in the Midwestern US