Klarinet Archive - Posting 000457.txt from 2002/06

From: "Tebay Ranch" <tbrnch@-----.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] Re: "Buzzy" sound ...
Date: Sat, 15 Jun 2002 12:39:38 -0400

I am sure by now some one has mentioned the "baby powder and cigarette
paper routine" concerning buzzing pads. Just sprinkle a little baby
powder on a cigarette paper, shake off most of it and place the paper
between the pad and the tone hole. Hold down on the key and release. Pull
the paper out. It works because of the very small amount of oil in the
powder. ----- Original Message -----
From: The Guy on the Couch <jnohe@-----.Edu>
Subject: Re: [kl] Re: "Buzzy" sound ...

> On Sat, 15 Jun 2002 JEDISUSHI@-----.com wrote:
>
> > I absolutely agree. If you're using 90% of your reeds, then 90% of the
> > people out there could sound better than you, and it would have nothing
to do
> > with ability. Only by maintaining the same standard of perfection for
our
> > equipment as we do for ourselves can we play at our highest possible
level,
> > period.
>
> Oh, so you ARE saying that those of us who play commercial reeds
> successfully are playing at a lower level. Thanks for clarifying that.
>
> FYI, I spend probably 30-45 min on each box of reeds. I check them for
> position of heart, thickness, balance, warpage, and yes, sound quality.
> None of them play exactly alike, but I've yet to need exactly the same
> reed from day to day. Tomorrow, I may be more tired, and need something a
> little softer. The day after that, I might have a gig in a more humid
> climate, and need something a little stiffer.
>
> I may not put as many hours into my reed selection, but I do WORK on them;
> it's not as if I'm indiscriminately slapping tongue depressors on my
> mouthpiece.
>
> I think several minutes a week on pre-cut reeds is a far better use of
> time than several hours on reeds by mine own hand...because those several
> hours can be used for practice. Your results might be different. But I
> can't believe you'd have the audacity to infer that the use of commercial
> reeds automatically makes a player inferior.
>
> 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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