Klarinet Archive - Posting 000388.txt from 2005/05

From: Karl Krelove <karlkrelove@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Some questions about the ATG reed system
Date: Wed, 25 May 2005 18:22:12 -0400

I don't see any reason why it wouldn't "work" on any kind of reed. It's
basically a small sanding block that comes with a piece of plate glass,
a couple of pre-cut pieces of abrasive paper and instructions. It
doesn't "do" anything that rush, reed knives or straight sandpaper on
the tip of an index finger don't do - it removes cane in small
quantities from whatever part of the reed the player decides is
unresponsive. Tom describes a routine for deciding where (which side and
how far down from the tip) to work. It's the principle that's different.
Instead of finding and trying to correct hard spots with a fairly
precise abrasive or tool along the reed's taper from thick toward thin,
the ATG block is used against the taper (and the grain) over a broader
area. The flatness of the abrasive surface will hit high spots and be
carried over the rest without removing material. That starting at the
tip and moving into the taper doesn't tear the tip fibers is something a
player may need to take on faith until he or she has actually worked
with it, but out of dozens of reeds I've worked with using ATG, I've
only damaged a tip once. It was one of my first attempts, and I'm sure I
was just pressing too hard.

ATG is essentially a hand tool over which the player has complete
control. In my experience so far, it just takes some of the guesswork
out of the adjustment process. It doesn't do anything about cane that is
of uneven density or has grain deficiencies. It won't make silk purses
out of sow's ears. It makes it easier, again in my experience with it,
to make unresponsive reeds more vibrant and allows me to play on more
reeds than other abrasive types did.

And it isn't so prohibitively expensive that a player would be out much
if he bought it and didn't find it helpful. The glass could be useful by
itself.

Karl

Georg Kühner wrote:

>Hello all out there,
>
>Does this System also work with alto and bassclarinet reeds?
>
>Does it work with German System clarinet reeds?
>
>Is there anyone here in Germany who has the ATG System?
>
>Regards Georg
>
>
>
>

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Klarinet is a service of Woodwind.Org, Inc. http://www.woodwind.org