Klarinet Archive - Posting 000110.txt from 2001/11

From: lubydjackson@-----. Jackson)
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: How to make your reeds work
Date: Fri, 2 Nov 2001 17:34:41 -0500

This is so true what you're saying because I look back to my sophomore years
in HS where I thought the stronger the reed the more man I was. I used to
play on Vandoren 4s not realizing that this strength isn't finished. It
still requires work or at least I was instructed as so.

I can remember up until maybe 5 years ago experiencing good and bad reeds.
I used to hate those that I could easily overblow or the ones that didn't
have enough strength so I could play high notes.

My reed of choice is the Vandoren 3.5 on all my horns. While playing a
Marca 3 the other day, I realized that these reeds don't have enough
resistance for my embouchure.
----- Original Message -----
From: <HatNYC62@-----.com>
Subject: [kl] Re: How to make your reeds work

> There comes a time for every clarinet player when he has to decide how
> dedicated to the reed-making and preparation aspect of playing he is going
to
> be. I am not good with reeds, not handy with a knife and my thumb is not
> sensitive enough to check the tip for imbalances.
>
> But, there is a solution for people like me. Fortunately I discovered it
when
> I was still in school and it has paid off every since. I LEARNED TO PLAY
ON
> BAD REEDS.
>
> Let's face it, probably 50% of the time you are not going to have a very
good
> reed. If that thought makes you uptight, you have a problem. Especially
with
> the kind of work I do, where I literally play in a different room every
gig,
> it would be impossible to prepare reeds in advance for every situation.
Even
> if you think you have something, the weather might change and then you are
> screwed if you don't have something else.
>
> My advice is, practice your scales and arpeggios for several hours every
day
> with a metronome and use your ears, not your reeds, to get a great sound.
>
> David Hattner, NYC
> www.northbranchrecords.com
>
> ---------------------------------------------------------------------
>
>

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