Klarinet Archive - Posting 000503.txt from 1999/02

From: James.P.Reed@-----.net (James P Reed)
Subj: [kl] A Basic Question About Reeds
Date: Sat, 13 Feb 1999 23:52:32 -0500

When practicing lately, my reeds have started feeling soft or mushy, for
lack of a better term. Since I don't have a lesson for several days, I
was wondering if this means:

1. My reeds should be replaced.
2. I should be using stronger reeds.
3. I should try using thicker reeds.

I've been playing the clarinet for 8 months and am currently using a
regular Vandoren #3. I've been practicing for 45-75 minutes a day, for
the past 10 days, and it's only been during this period that I've
experienced these difficulties with my reeds. I've taken to changing
reeds after 25-30 minutes or when I notice the first one getting soft on
me.

I do intend to buy and try several different brands of reeds over the
next month or so but don't assume that's my problem at the moment. And,
I realize the risk of that assumption.

Also, I'm further confused by having recently read an article in
Windplayer, by Rousseau, who mentioned he switches reeds every 10-15
minutes, when practicing for an hour or more.

I know there is a lot of subjectivity and empiricism about these issues
and I need to come up with a solution, even if it does mean switching
reeds during practice sessions.

Thanks in advance for any suggestions or feedback.

Jim Reed

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Unsubscribe from Klarinet, e-mail: klarinet-unsubscribe@-----.org
Subscribe to the Digest: klarinet-digest-subscribe@-----.org
Additional commands: klarinet-help@-----.org
Other problems: klarinet-owner@-----.org