Klarinet Archive - Posting 000547.txt from 1998/08

From: George Kidder <gkidder@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] re:reed strength
Date: Wed, 19 Aug 1998 12:38:54 -0400

David Blumberg wrote:

"The V-12's (and Grand concert Thick Blank) reeds are made from a thicker
lower part of the Donax plant. The cane is less dense - hence they feel
softer."

You don't have to slide up and down the plant to get this effect. The
density decreases as you go from the outside of the round cane to its
(hollow) center (where the density is obviously very low!) Reeds are made
with the most dense part on the outsied (away from the mouthpiece) and the
active tip is therefore cut from less dense cane. Starting with two pieces
of identical cane, it therefore follows from this geometry that a reed with
a thicker heel will have a tip cut from less dense cane.

Of course, we V12 users hope that they do not start with the same cane.

George Kidder

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