Klarinet Archive - Posting 000691.txt from 2004/03

From: "Dallas SCUBA" <forest_aten@------.com>
Subj: Re: [kl] reed thickness
Date: Fri, 12 Mar 2004 11:13:58 -0500


> Hello list, I know I haven't really sent anything in a while. I made honor
> band this year, my 9th grade year, and got 1st chair, 2nd clarinet. Pretty
> good. Anyway, I was wondering, do any of you play a 4 1/2 thickness of
reed?
> I've been playing Mitchel Lurie reeds, and have moved up to a 4 1/2.
> However, it feels like I need to go up to a 5, but I don't know if they
even
> make 5's...so I figured I'd ask. I'm kind of in a dilemma...when I need to
> go up a level, I tend to squeak a lot more, and the Honor Band/Massed Band
> performance is next week...so if someone could let me know I'd be
> grateful...thanks!
> Kimber the Wrestler
>

Kimber,

You might be able to play the #5 Mitchell Lurie reeds just fine. It's going
to depend on your mouthpiece and embouchure strength. BUT...the squeaks are
not coming because you have a 3 or a 4 or a 4 1/2 reed. Or, as you
indicated, is some kind of alarm system that tells you to move to a stronger
reed. Something is not right. Perhaps your embouchure. It might be your
mouthpiece. Or your clarinet might need some repair. And of course...it
could be a bad reed or even an entire box of reeds. If the problems go away
after you make changes in reeds, I would suggest that it might be the state
or condition of your current group of reeds. While Mitchell Lurie reeds tend
to run a strength softer than most others (by indicated strength), 4 1/2's
are getting pretty stiff.

Forest Aten

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