Klarinet Archive - Posting 000182.txt from 2003/10

From: "Karl Krelove" <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: RE: [kl] Macho Reed Selection, or Why I use a Number 37 Reed....
Date: Tue, 7 Oct 2003 21:28:48 -0400

(Clouds welling up)

I know you said you "jest to make a point." But one of the few recurring
themes on Klarinet that I actually find irritates me is the proposition that
"hard" reeds are played by players with (in your words) pseudo-macho
complexes. Reed strength and mouthpiece resistance interact. That you don't
find medium strength reeds (Lurie 2.5-3) "hamper" you indicates that you're
probably playing them on a mouthpiece that works well with them. If I put
those on my mouthpiece it would sound quite literally like a kazoo. The #4
V12 Vandorens I use, frequently out of the box, are not "hard" or difficult
to blow on my mouthpiece, nor are some #4.5s. There is a variety of
strengths available not to support anyone's bragging rights, but because
there is a huge variety of mouthpiece facings, each one with its own
advantages and disadvantages.

Off my soapbox. :-)
(Sun's back out.)

Karl Krelove

> -----Original Message-----
> From: Matthew Lloyd [mailto:Matthew@-----.uk]
> Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 9:03 PM
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: [kl] Macho Reed Selection, or Why I use a Number 37 Reed....
>
>
> I don't understand this pseudo-macho complex for hard reeds. It seems
> (to me at least) as if players through the world almost boast of using a
> number 37 reed, but then taking so much off it and adapting it that (a)
> it's probably down to a number 2 and (b) the careful design of the reed
> maker is lost. What is wrong with buying the strength you want to end up
> with?
>
> Ok - I jest to make a point....
>
> I seem to recall starting on something along the 1.5 mark. Even now I
> use a 2.5 or 3 Mitchell Lurie and don't feel hampered by it. Neither do
> I mangle them - if I don't like 'em I ditch 'em.
>
> Now I guess that any street cred I had is out of the window - although
> those that know me and love me (?) might suggest that I didn't have any
> to begin with. I'd certainly not challenge this...
>
> But seriously, whilst my reed finding technique may be expensive, I
> can't see anything wrong with it - does anyone want to shoot me down in
> flames? Feel free - but please explain WHY if you do!
>
> Matthew Lloyd
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dee D. Flint [mailto:deehays@-----.net]
> Sent: 07 October 2003 23:26
> To: klarinet@-----.org
> Subject: Re: [kl] [clarinet] reeds for beginners?
>
> Part of the problem is that Vandoren #3 is equal to approximately 3.5 in
> almost any other brand. This makes them way too hard for most
> beginners. A
> number 2 Vandoren (2.5 in most other brands) would be more appropriate
> for
> beginners. I started my daughters on #2.5 Mitchell Lurie reeds.
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "K. Brannon" <kbrannon@-----.net>
> To: "Clarinet List (Moderated)" <clarinet@-----.org>
> Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2003 1:00 PM
> Subject: [kl] [clarinet] reeds for beginners?
>
>
> > Hi List,
> > I'm teaching several beginners (mostly private school and homeschooled
> kids)
> > and am having trouble figuring out which reeds to start them on. The
> public
> > school band directors in my area insist students use Vandoren 3's but
> they
> > seem too hard at first. I have a reed knife, clipper, and sandpaper
> kit,
> but it
> > seems to be too much trouble constantly fixing their reeds. (I have
> enough
> > trouble with my own!) Isn't there a "store brand" that is pretty
> consistent for
> > a beginner? Any suggestions?
> >
> > Karen Brannon
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > ---------------------------------------------------------------------
> > Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org
> >
>
>
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>
>
>
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