Klarinet Archive - Posting 000337.txt from 2001/08

From: GrabnerWG@-----.com
Subj: Re: [kl] I need Reed information
Date: Fri, 24 Aug 2001 15:44:51 -0400

Tom P. Says (and very wisely too):

As a group I find it amazing that we (myself included) think that a mouthpiece and a Barrel will have a greater effect on sound and response then the reed does. I've done it had boxes of crappy reeds and decided that my mouthpiece was to blame. But since I've started making my own mouthpieces I have found that if a mouthpiece facing is somewhat in the ball park, there is a reed that will work on it. I'm not saying that mouthpieces have no effect. They are very important. But if we took all the mouthpieces and facing
measurements that all of us play, we would probably find out that the numbers aren't that different from each other. And probably that's the same with
reeds.>>

Tom:

I have taken an opposite tack. The mouthpieces I make (for myself, as well as others) are optimized for a certain style and strength of reed. Right now I am making mouthpieces that use, and work well with Vandoren V12 3.5's and 4's.

Since I have been doing this, reed problems seem a thing of the past. I always have about 8 reeds that I can play on at any time. Before a concert, I MAY have an idea of which reed I want to use, but I really just pick the final reed when warming up in the hall.

I also find myself doing very little reed work. This is usually limited to balancing the tip. I also find that my reeds last much longer than they used to. I do a lot of rotation, which helps, but I think it is also due to the fact that the reed really fits the mouthpiece.

I can't guarantee this will work for anyone but myself, but this has been my experience for the last two years.

Comments from others?

Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com

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