Klarinet Archive - Posting 000467.txt from 2003/02

From: b1rite@-----. Rite)
Subj: RE: [kl] Legere Quebec Style Reeds
Date: Sun, 16 Feb 2003 18:31:32 -0500

<><> Bruce=A0McGarvey wrote:
have even considered choosing a mouthpiece and ligature (and maybe an
instrument?) specifically to accommodate a reed model instead of the
other way 'round? I sense some paradigm shifts coming.

Your comment reminds me of the discussion several months ago whether
(paraphrased): "The parts nearest the player's mouth have the greater
effect." (Putting aside the obvious point that a virtuoso can play any
reasonable setup and make it sound good)

Hasn't the perceived truth always been that all parts interact, and that
_any_ particular part (if it's the wrong part) can damage the final
result.

The 'asymmetry' of reed vs. mouthpiece is that mouthpieces are (1) more
expensive and (2) more permanent than reeds. Therefore we are more
likely to swap out the reed. But does this contradict the basic
principle that the combination of equipment and player are a complete
acoustical system in which every part interacts with all the others, and
one 'bad' part can damage the final result?

In fact, the player is often the first part to be swapped out.....

(It happens that I can't stay happy without a particular bell, which is
the farthest item from my mouth, and which most players seldom consider
swapping.)

In fact, can we extend your comment to ask: "How many of us have even
considered choosing a _player_ to accommodate a reed model instead of
the other way 'round?" (i.e.: a reed manufacturer searches for a
big-name player who makes their reed sound good --- not an airtight
analogy because $$$ can overrule artistic judgement)

Cheers,
Bill

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