Klarinet Archive - Posting 000918.txt from 2003/06

From: "Patricia A. Smith" <patricia@-----.net>
Subj: Re: [kl] Adjusting Reeds
Date: Wed, 25 Jun 2003 18:38:45 -0400

Bob Langford wrote:

>Hello,
>
>After reading Charles Miles ad for his reed making tools, I got to wondering
>what devices are used by the folks on this list to adjust commercial reeds.
>I'd also like to know if anyone has been successful in making reeds they can
>play on.
>
Most of the time, if I need to adjust a commercial reed, I utilize a bit
of Ultrafine sandpaper, and simply sand carefully, to remove the amount
I need to take off. I've also sanded the tip a miniscule bit, if I'm
being insistent on trying to improve a particular reed.

Sometimes, I use a reed knife, but I've found that I really do not need
to unless a reed is incredibly unbalanced. Most of the time, if that is
the case, there isn't a great deal of hope for the thing anyway.

There are numerous members of the klarinet list who make their own reeds
successfully. I am not among this number for several reasons: 1) lack
of patience, 2) lack of time, and most importantly, 3) my vision is not
all that great without bifocals atm, so I cannot eyeball well enough to
do the fine adjustments that, IMO, would make handmaking reeds
worthwhile. That said, I am considering learning how to do this, once I
have the funds to purchase the equipment I need, my children are a lot
older, and I have more time.

Good luck,
Patricia Smith

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