 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: DHsu87
Date: 2006-07-20 21:24
I have looked through the bboard archives and have read from multiple people and sources that the left side of vandoren reeds is thicker. However, when I use the perfectareed on many of my reeds, 99% of the time the right side is noticably thicker, not the left side. Has anyone experienced this as well? I have also "calibrated" the perfectareed, so I'm pretty sure it's not the machine's fault.
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Author: am0032
Date: 2006-07-20 21:53
It's been my experience that most Vandoren reeds are more dense on the right side. I have come to this conclusion on several different mouthpieces so that I know it's not my equipment. It's not a big deal since it is quite predictable and can be accounted for in my reed adjustments.
Adam
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-07-20 22:17
Another vote for the right side. I often just cock the reed slightly to one side to get a quick balance and go on playing - it's is ALWAYS movement to the left (right side of reed being stiffer).
............Paul Aviles
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Author: DHsu87
Date: 2006-07-20 23:49
How come vandoren doesn't keep all their reeds consistent in balance? Why are some thicker on the left, while others on the right? I read about how the left side would be thicker because the clarinet is tilted from the right thumb, thus giving more pressure to the left side of the reed. What about the right side. Any explanations?
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2006-07-21 00:43
I have a VASTLY speculative answer:
Firstly I would say that the clarinet does NOT yaw from side to side - it's stabalized in your mouth.
However........
I have a general tendency to play with the horn ever so slightly to the right. I believe this is to provide more room (comfort) for the left hand/arm that is more scrunched due to its superior position.
NOW (are you still with me?) the bottom teeth would not then be exacly perpendicular to the length of the reed, but would rather be "higher" on the left. Since the beak of a mouthpiece is tapered towards the top, this means that I am placing a slightly greater preasure on the right side of the reed. To see what I mean just HONESTLY determine how you hold your horn when you play, now just place your teeth directly on the reed to feel where they hit.
IF (I know most of you have gone out for a pizza by now) this is a general tendency amongst clarinetists, then it would only make sense to just slightly increase the strength of the reeds you make on the right side to make up for this discrepancy.
...........Paul Aviles
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2006-07-21 07:08
Paul, I don't do anything because of the hands positions like you describe, but because I have only one tooth in the middle of the bottom ones instead of the normal two (i.e. exactly in the middle there is a tooth), I play with the mouthpiece not exactly lined with the clarinet, and it is turned a lot to the left. The result is basically the same as you describe only a lot more to the left than in your case I think. I am not sure if the reeds need to be thicker on one side or not because of this, but maybe someone knows?
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2006-07-21 15:24
Using the ATG system, it seems to me that I usually need to take material off of the left side of V12s (left when its in my mouth). Applies to my two most used mouthpieces.
Bob Phillips
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Author: Bruno
Date: 2006-07-21 18:24
I think that V.D. reeds are thicker on one side because of the machining tools used to cut them. Rush, like teak, contains silica and dulls cutters quickly. I suspect but am not sure that V.D.'s reed tools are feeling their age.
I have a solution though. Do what I do (with every new reed): lay it along your left middie finger top side up and hold it in place with your thumb. Take your very sharp, very straight reed knife and gently scrape near but not at the tip of the reed. You can actually push the knife with your left thumb while holding the blade perpendicular to the reed surface with your right hand. You will, 1, immediately see whether it's thicker on one side and 2, can even it out with gentle scraping.
It does require a little skill with tools. Until you're adept, practice on old reeds.
b/
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Author: Tyler
Date: 2006-07-21 22:21
they've all been harder on the right for me recently
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