Klarinet Archive - Posting 000450.txt from 2002/06

From: TBPiercy@-----.com
Subj: [kl] Re: "Buzzy" sound ...
Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2002 10:26:51 -0400

Regarding spending time on commercial reeds versus spending time on hand made:

For years I had to spend time on commercial reeds, most of us do; I then
began to make my own from tubes and blanks. I don't think less of those that
use commercial reeds, but for myself, I much prefer the control over "MY"
sound that I have in making my own reeds. I can make reeds for different
tonal situations and different set-ups (I play both Buffet and large-bore
Rossi). I would much prefer to spend the time on my own reeds than on trying
to force a commercial reed to get to something it may not be able to do. I
found that after the initial time learning to hand make reeds, the time spent
now is not too much. The results, if the cane is good, are immediately
better than the commercial reeds. It's also great to be able to hand a
student one of my hand made reeds and they immediately sound better (easier
on my ears, too). The pleasure and pride of working to make something even
more personal is worth the time. It does not take away from practice; as a
matter of fact, it actually adds to practice time, as practice should not be
merely the getting the notes down aspect.

Tom Piercy
thomaspiercy.com

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