Klarinet Archive - Posting 000077.txt from 1999/12

From: Simon_Aldrich@-----.ca (Simon Aldrich)
Subj: [kl] Re:Blackmaster reeds
Date: Fri, 3 Dec 1999 10:37:23 -0500

belgarath10@-----.com said:
>I use a V12 4- I dont know if it gets any more
>specific than that *shrug*- and I definately have a hard time getting the
>notes out, but I really like the sound I get when I do... I was thinking
>about going to a softer reed. Will this help?

Firstly: This is an issue I encounteer a lot in students. They go for a
sound
that they like (invariably ultra-dark) at the expense of almost everything
(response, tuning, articulation, legato, projection). Professionally this
is suicide.
When a conductor looks at you and cues you he/she wants to hear the sound
of
a clarinet on cue. That may sound trite but I find students should think
more
practically ("professionally" if you will) when judging the playability of
a setup .
Producing tone on demand should not, cannot, come second to the player's
opinion
on what a good sound is.

Secondly: A propos the second part of your question - A softer reed will
not improve things
if it is still too wide for the mouthpiece, except perhaps you lower your
chances of giving
yourself an aneurism from the undue resistance.

Simon Aldrich

Principal Clarinet - Montreal Opera Orchestra
Principal Clarinet - Montreal Metropolitain Orchestra
Nouvel Ensemble Moderne

Clarinet Instructor - University of Sherbrooke

simona@-----.org
(514) 843-7550

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