Klarinet Archive - Posting 000944.txt from 2000/08

From: Neil Leupold <leupold_1@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] re: Making Reeds vs playing
Date: Mon, 28 Aug 2000 18:03:01 -0400

Cane quality being extremely fickle and inconsistent, I've gone through
periods where it took 2-3 weeks just to BREAK IN a box of Vandorens. You
have to be patient and be willing to run a concurrent rotation of 3 or 4
boxes, depending on how much playing you're doing. Rushing the break-in
process is truly a waste of money. You end up forcing the stabilization
process faster than the cane is capable of changing, and then the reed
dies prematurely without ever achieving its vibrational potential, what-
ever that potential may be. I also believe that improper breathing tech-
nique hastens the death of a reed, where it is compelled to vibrate with
such uncontrolled abandon that its actual potential is immediately damag-
ed. The air stream must be focused and consistent -- not an erratic wall
of air. Assuming the air stream is focused to begin, a fresh reed should
only be incited to vibrate for a few minutes at a time, at between ppp to
mf dynamic levels, before being put back in the box (or case, whatever) to
rest for a day or three. And for crying out loud (some reeds do that, you
know), don't play up in the high clarion or altissimo on a new reed. Be
kind to your baby reeds -- give them a chance to mature!

Neil

--- Ed Wojtowicz <ewoj@-----.net> wrote:
> I usually recommend a preparation and break-in period similar to what one
> would use in making a reed. This seems to make the reed more stable and last
> quite a bit longer than 2-3 weeks.
>
> Ed
>
> > From: David Blumberg <reedman@-----.com>
> >
> > Self made reeds last a lot, lot longer then the manufactured reeds. I have
> > know players to use a hand-made reed for over 2 months where a store bought
> > reed will last 2-3 weeks if that.
> >
>
>
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