Klarinet Archive - Posting 000402.txt from 2004/09
From: kurtheisig@-----.net
Subj: Re: [kl] Reeds
Date: Thu, 23 Sep 2004 07:17:18 -0400
Chris
I use 10 out of 10. I usually use the regular cut Vandoren 5's on an open mouthpice that I make.
Reeds are simply NOT a problem when you understand them!
We teach reed-making in our shops---usually just reed-FINISHING. A commercial reed is ONLY a semi-finished blank. Commercial reeds are cut in a profile that is thin at the tip. The corners need to be a little thinner---and on commericial reeds they are thicker---so we teach you how to corner your reeds. Also, most commercial reeds need to have the "w cut" extended slightly--not to mention balancing. It only takes a few minutes to balance, corner and extend the profile on a reed, and is really quite simple. Another frequent problem is commercial mouthpieces that are poorly made---often with uneven rails.
These "problems" that are so major for most players are really simple to deal with with a little knowledge. The same can be said for the clarinets. Most manufacturers put the wrong pads in the "ring keys" and it is a simple matter to change those out. That alone is a very simple fix for many of the problems players find. With my students I strip and completely re-build extra fine clarinets that I find for them. This gives them the 3 blanks---reed---Mouthpiece---and clarinet all custom made into very viable equipment, making playing well, without frustration a breeze.
Notice my seeming over-use of the word simple! There just is no excuse for clarinet players to have all of these famous problems, when ready solutions are available.Feel free to contact me. We have students come from as far away as Tokyo and Germany.
Kurt Heisig
(831)425-5658
-----Original Message-----
From: Chris Ciarlariello <cdc_1013@-----.com>
Sent: Sep 23, 2004 3:40 AM
To: Klarinet List <klarinet@-----.org>
Subject: [kl] Reeds
Can anyone tell me why I am having so much trouble
finding one reed that even works? I went through 2
boxes of Vandoren V-12 #4's and one box of Vandoren
#4's and found only 3 that actually played, but 2 of
them sounded incredibly airy and the third one was
good in the lower register, okay in the upper register
and bad in the altissimo registers. Does anybody have
any suggestions.
Thanks,
Chris
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