Klarinet Archive - Posting 000469.txt from 2001/10

From: The Guy on the Couch <jnohe@-----.Edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] Posts
Date: Sun, 14 Oct 2001 23:21:48 -0400

Ah yes...

Many questions, many answers...but do you want answers from ME? Your post
seems to be a directed response, but you give no indication as to WHOM you
are responding. Since I don't know, I will answer myself.

By the way - I remember you from your previous tenure here. Best of luck
this time.

On Sun, 14 Oct 2001, Mr. Luby D. Jackson wrote:

> this is interesting to me about the eefer

Uh, what might that be?

> I'd been told by a dying band director on how to use a softer reed to
> get it to play in tune. Is it possible to play the eefer soft way up
> in the stratosphere?

Yes. Playing a softer reed may or may not work as a solution, however.
For me, it's problematic, as it causes tuning quandaries.

> Why isn't the eefer exploited in the lower register more often? It's
> great down there. Most band literature use it in the primary register.

It's utilized for its range more often than for its color. Its lower
register is easily covered in the range of the Bb.

> Are size 4 or 5s really necessary? I wa once told that these reeds
> aren't finished and need to be worked on.

Certainly - a good number of people play on 4s and 4.5s...if people
didn't, companies wouldn't make them. People who play on 5s are a bit
rarer, but they exist too. Perhaps not to the numbers that Rico would
care to see (as within the last year or so, they halted production of
strength 5 Hemke saxophone reeds, angering one of my saxophone teachers).

> Is it true that mist wind instruments picthed to the key of Eb just are
> naturally hard to tune? I've been doing some talking to the piccolo
> trumpet and reading the posts about the contralto clarinet and how it's
> hard to tune as well.

I don't find the Eb clarinet or the contralto clarinet particularly harder
to tune than the Bb when one has a good working instrument. The Eefer
does lack a middle joint to tune, but a barrel change can make up for
that. I have absolutely no problems tuning my Selmer Series II alto, and
my friend with a new Series III says he's never had a saxophone tune so
well (but I also hear that from Yamaha Custom players). Tuning depends
more on the quality of the instrument and the player, rather than simply
the key its pitched in.

> I have settled onto VD 3.5s for my Eb, Bb and bass. I typically use 3s
> on the alto.
> WM reeds are good for the altissimo? I didn't know V12s were made for
> eefer? Where do you get these reeds?

WM??? Sorry - I need that translated. I just prefer any thick blank
reed, as the altissimo needs extra heart in the reed for me. I use
Vandoren V12's - they work fine, and I have about a 2 year back stock.
Grand Concerts are also quite good, in my experience. However, there
isn't a V12 for the Eefer - the closest thing would be the Vandoren Black
Master reeds, which are halfway in between Bb and Eb reed size (but will
fit on both) and have V12 thickness. You can get them from any major
supplier: Muncy's, WW/BW, Weiner's, etc.

> I have the 5rv, so what's best for me?

Whatever works best for you. It's all personal. I've heard it said that
it's designed for a 3-4 strength, but my roommate uses a 5RV with
4.5s...says he can't find reeds that are hard enough half the time.

> Is there a special trimmer used for those too thick Bb reeds? What's
> the point of this anyway?

There isn't any point. If your reeds are too thick, switch to a standard
blank (I have more problems with finding the occasional standard blank in
a box of V12s rather than finding one TOO thick). If standard blanks are
too thick, then perhaps you might have better luck cutting your own reeds
out of poster board?

If it REALLY is an issue - 400-1000 grit wet or dry sandpaper and flat
plate glass does the job.

> I have the VD 5RV so what facing do I have?

Yes. (You answered your question BEFORE you asked it?)

> Is this a safe thing to marry someone of the same instrument family?

Not having married ANYONE, I cannot really give a qualified answer. But
our orchestra's conductor and second clarinettist are both clarinettists
and seem to be happily unified.

> Is it safe to surmise that you are really great with the Eb Clarinet,
> judging by your email?

*smirk*

> that and using turpentine to do it as well

Um...what?

J. Shouryu Nohe
Grad Assistant, New Mexico State University
"I think we have a ghost in our house." - Kaycee Nicole
"I should probably be playing Buffet." - Steve Moore

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