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Return to Playing

Author: LicoriceStick
Date: 2008-02-20 23:08

Hi All:

After several years of being away from playing and performing I am starting to practice again. I've purchased a Buffet E11 and am using my old Pyne mouthpiece which still works for me. I have boxes of reeds, mostly Olivieri and VanDoren, and reeds that I made while a hotshot in college (oh, so many years ago). I've found that I need a much softer reed than I used to use (most of my oldies are 4-4.5) and recently bought a box of Olivieri 3.5, which were crap mostly. So, I'm wondering what other reeds folks are using. I should say that I prefer a rich warm sound, bright in the upper register, and I'm no longer achieving that sound!

Thanks for reading ~

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Re: Return to Playing

Author: EJ
Date: 2008-02-21 01:16

Congratulations on coming back to the clarinet! I've also returned after several years away. Your chops will come back! I used Olivieri back in the day and they were at the time very good reeds. I've found that the newer ones just don't seem to be the same. I bought some new "old" stock and they are good reeds but not easy to find. Mostly these days I stick with Vandoren V12's. I had to start with a 2.5 strength and have worked up to a 3 or 3.5. Good luck!

EJ

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Re: Return to Playing

Author: sfalexi
Date: 2008-02-21 02:32

I've always believed (for no good reason) that it's easiest to start on Rico Royal reeds, and to move to Vandorens after a few months. For no reason. Supersitious maybe?

Alexi

US Army Japan Band

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Re: Return to Playing

Author: LicoriceStick
Date: 2008-02-21 13:45

Thanks for replying! I'll try the Rico Royal as well as some softer Vandorens - those 4.5's are bustin' my chops.

Last night I dug out some old reeds that I had made back in the day, when my teacher at the time (the magnificent Russ Dagon of the MSO) obtained some nice French reed cane for me. They still blow - and some aren't bad. I'm trying to remember how to rework them (but I think this is pretty much like riding a bicycle - it all eventually comes back).

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