Klarinet Archive - Posting 000991.txt from 1998/11

From: "David B. Niethamer" <dnietham@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Reed Making...was "Double rip embouchure"
Date: Wed, 25 Nov 1998 20:15:30 -0500

sls2t@-----.edu writes:
>
> Hey, I'm doing a little research on homemade reeds. My new teacher
> makes his own and gave me a few books with instructions to get me
> started...these books date back to the fiftys and I was wondering if
> anybody A) makes their own reds and how they like them and

I do, and I like them. Otherwise I wouldn't waste the time.

>B) is it possible to learn from a book, or should I just keep pestering
teachers to show me?

Yes (to both). Larry Combs once told me that you can learn all you need
to know about making a reed in about 30 minutes. Then you spend the rest
of your life in trial and error! Not far wrong!! The double reed guys
have it all over us clarinetists in terms of scientific measurements and
procedures.

> Some teachers, like my old one, still live and die by Vandoren
> V-12 #4, but for me they're gutless and only last a few days at
> best...What opinions have you all formulated concerning homemade reeds?
> Are there good instruction books out there? Is it worth the time to make
> them? (I spend a lot of time already just breaking in and balancing the
> vandorens.) Opinions on reeds are just as diverse and subjective as the
> people who have them (all of us) so keep the replies free of opinions and
> more on what ya'll consider to be some "known" facts or observations.
> >>
On 11/19/98 1:08 PM, GrabnerWG@-----.com wrote:

>I made my own reeds for years. I used prepared blanks, which are available
>from various sources. When I got great cane, I made great reeds. When I got
>lousy cane, I made lousy reeds.
>
This is my experience as well.

>Making reeds is hard work, no doubt about it. Claims are made that it is
>worth
>it, because hand made reeds last longer. I cannot verify that. Some of the
>techniques that help "hand-made" reeds last longer can also be used on
>"store-bought" reeds. Some of these, like polishing the backside of the reed
>to a mirror finish, do help prolong the life of the reed.....at the
>expense...of a lively, vivid sound.
>
My handmade (well, ReeDuAl made reeds) last a lot longer than Vandorens
or Mitchel Luries ever did. They do so without losing their lively, vivid
sound, because polishing the back can be done before the reed is cut.
This seems to stabilize the reed after it is cut. It also minimizes
warping.

(SNIP)
>
>These days, we have VanDoren V-12's, Grand Concert, Zonda, and Mitchel Lurie
>reeds to play with. With this quality and variety available, I think my time
>is better spent practicing! A good VanDoren or Zonda is as good as anything I
>ever made, and I played professionally on my own reeds for 4 or 5 years, part
>of my undergrad days, and while I was getting my Master's.
>
If you get reed making on a routine or schedule, the time is minimal -
once a month for a couple of hours. And I have a busy playing schedule,
so I need plenty of practice time. It's interesting to me that the
professional oboe and bassoon players I know spend a fair amount of their
practice time on their reeds (and maybe less of it on agonizing, and
smashing commercial reeds into music stands!). If you have good reeds,
and are consistent about your reed work, playing becomes more consistent
and pleasant.

>If you want to learn to make reeds, there are two good sources:
>
>Kal Opperman's book....Making and Adjusting Single Reeds
>Stubbins book...The Art of Clarinetistry - Chapter VI

Both good. Opperman is out of print. Stubbins is unreadable by ordinary
mortals (well, at least to me!). My two favorites are the Velasquez Book,
and George Kirck's "Reedmate Reed Guide". For details, search the
archives - I know I've posted the particulars for these two books before.
they both subscribe to all the same "old wives tales" about reeds that I
believe!! Seriously, they're very informative.
>
HTH

David

David Niethamer
Principal Clarinet, Richmond Symphony
dnietham@-----.edu
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/

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