Klarinet Archive - Posting 000506.txt from 2002/10

From: Karl Krelove <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Whacky reed problem
Date: Sun, 20 Oct 2002 09:39:43 -0400

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Bruce E. McGarvey [mailto:bmcgar@-----.net]
>
> I have an adult student at the intermediate level who manages somehow to
> alter reeds after playing them for a while so that they "close
> up" with very
> little pressure, as if they're being warped towards the
> mouthpiece opening.
> [SNIP]
> Everything plays fine for her for a couple hours, then eventually the reed
> changes so that even I have a hard time using proper breath
> support without
> the reed closing up on me. (I can't say how abrupt the change is, but she
> says she doesn't notice it coming on quickly.)
>
Bruce,

I'm a little confused about the conditions that precede whatever is
happening to your student's reeds. You seem to be saying that it happens
after playing on them "for a while...for a couple hours..." Is this
continuous playing (2 hour+ lessons?) in your presence? Then you start to
write about reed holders and different attempts to stop the problem with
different storage devices.

Are you sending her home after a lesson with a playable reed and she's
coming back next lesson with one that isn't (possible storage, break-in or
cane problems or a combination)? Or does this happen while she's playing her
lesson (eliminates storage issues)?

BTW, have you checked the reeds themselves on a flat glass or even with a
straight edge to see if they *are* warped? You only say "...as if they're
being warped....

If you can clarify, I may have a couple of ideas.

Karl Krelove

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