Klarinet Archive - Posting 000116.txt from 2006/06

From: "David Blumberg" <blummy@-----.net>
Subj: [kl] There were once a few good reeds
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 13:31:46 -0400

[kl] There were once a few good reeds
From: rvazquez@-----.org
Date: Mon, 26 Jun 2006 09:39:28 -0400

Hello list:

I just had one of those reed accidents and needed to tell someone. I was
practicing as I do every morning before work but decided to pack it up
because things weren't working that well. "One of those mornings...", I
told myself. As I attempted to close the clarinet case, I wondered what
was preventing the case from closing. Hummm, was it the metronome? Did I
leave the reed case inside? Perhaps some of the other junk I keep in the
case? No, it was my reed. Yes, the reed died a horrible death, a big
indentation across the lay. Ugly...

At one point, I had ten good reeds which I played for my last two years
with the Naval Academy Band. Oh yes, I was a member of the USNA Band,
(1991-1999). As I left the band in 1999 to pursue a career in IT, I
played sporadically with groups, during Sunday service, and duets with
some of my students. I kept playing with those same old reeds which
slowly started to die and, until today I had five of those ten reeds. I
have kept clipping and sanding the same old reeds for around eight years.
Hummm, as I remember now, the band used to buy cane instead of reeds for
me and Rick Diefenderfer. I cannot tell you if I made those reeds using
Glotin or Marca cane but it was for sure one or both of those. Now with
only four reeds (and a supply of old cane, which I also remember
discouraging its use...), I will be forced to read the book I once wrote
in an attempt to make some more reeds.

We'll see how long it takes me to make a couple of good reeds, or a supply
of mediocre ones...
Ronald Vazquez

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Hi Ron! Good to see you on the list. I remember that you wrote a book on
Reeds - what was the name of it?

David Blumberg
http://www.mytempo.com

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