Klarinet Archive - Posting 000374.txt from 2004/06

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <arlyss1@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] The sound/feeling/etc. of hand-made reeds; was, Clarinet-related
Date: Wed, 23 Jun 2004 07:31:06 -0400

Georg Kühner wrote:

>But what' more important I'm not addicted to vandoren or other
>manufacturers! My reeds support my idea of sound. I feel better playing than any comercial available brand - this worth even more than money!!!
>
>
>
This makes a lot of sense, Georg.

You can adapt/cut, etc. your reeds to your personal preference, without
having to search through all the brands, and you don't have to rely on
the whims of manufacturers.

At the same time, I suspect you, and others who make their own reeds
probably are very "neat handed" - you more than likely have INCREDIBLE
fine motor skills with tools, etc. Now, aside from actually PLAYING the
clarinet (and the piano, and flute and sax to a lesser extent), I do not
do well with knives. And my work with reed rush is not the best
either. I suspect I would waste more cane than I would make useable
reeds from! ;-)

Of course, plenty of folks also have reed-making machines that they can
fine-tune to produce reeds that meet personal specifications, but I
believe you said you make yours entirely by hand? That is quite an
accomplishment.

Patricia Smith

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