Klarinet Archive - Posting 000045.txt from 2005/07

From: "Lacy, Edwin" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: RE: [kl] reed and mouthpiece tips
Date: Tue, 05 Jul 2005 13:30:55 -0400

<<<I have found over the years that there is often a mismatch between
the=20
shape of the tip of commercial reeds and the tip of my mouthpiece(s),=20
but usually not enough on the clarinet to appear to be significant -=20
usually just the corners being rounded differently or overlapping more=20
or less depending on the combination. [.....] Is there a recommended
procedure, i.e. do's and don'ts, for making them match better? I've
been using very fine (220) sandpaper to shape the reed.>>>

I wouldn't be so concerned about this mismatch. I would just go through
my usual rather uncomplicated method of preparing the reed for its
initial use, and then put it on the mouthpiece and play it. If it
works, fine. If it doesn't, then consign it to the round file. If the
mismatch between the tip of the reed and the tip of the mouthpiece is so
severe that it interferes with the performance of the combination of the
two, I would guess that there isn't much you can do to correct that.
Any significant amount of filing and sanding on the tip is likely to
adversely affect the playing characteristics of the reed anyway.

Ed Lacy
University of Evansville

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