 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: janlynn
Date: 2007-10-22 14:01
is it hard to make your own reed?
is it expensive?
how do you learn what to do?
what is the advantage?
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-10-22 14:23
it is not hard if you have patience. I did it for a few years and quit because it got pointless for me. I can make reeds just as well by adjusting regular reeds and it takes a whole lot less time.
I suggest 1 reed knife, 1 reed clipper, and a fine bastard file for the back- some people use sand paper and a glass plate but a good steel file is my preferance.
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Author: bahamutofskycon
Date: 2007-10-22 19:53
I am also interested in trying my hand at making reeds - mostly to satisfy my own curiosity and as a personal project than to actually use them for performance.
Are there any particular brands of reed knife/etc that anyone would recommend? Any particular type of reed blank that you are fond of?
Also any good books out there on how to get started?
Much appreciated,
Steve Ballas
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Author: BobD
Date: 2007-10-22 22:54
Easy to do ....but hard to make one that works. I would be the last one to discourage anyone from trying to do something that they want to do. The only way you will know is to do it. The subject of reed knives is as controversial as is mouthpieces and barrels. My personal preference is an old straight razor since I already have a couple.
Bob Draznik
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2007-10-22 22:58
The question is, do you plan to make your own reeds from pre-made reed blanks or from cane? If its the latter, you will need tools to split and cut the cane, and then additional tools to shape the reed. In the grand scheme of a career, making your own reeds can be cheaper, but initially the tools required are quite expensive.
Of course you can attempt to do all the shaping with a reed knife - but I don't personally know anyone who makes their own reeds who goes from start to finish with only a knife. Get your hands on the Opperman "Handbook for Making and Adjusting Single Reeds", which details how one would make their own reeds using a knife and file. I purchased my copy from Van Cott music, which is a sponsor of the BBoard.
The best advice - since I don't make my own reeds - is to consult with a teacher who does. Steve Barta of Baltimore Symphony is one teacher who currently makes his own reeds, and I am sure there are a few others out there who do. Making your own reeds is trial and error and a lot of practice, but supposedly, well worth it.
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Author: skygardener
Date: 2007-10-22 23:23
One good way to start is by adjusting premade reeds. You'd be surprised just how many reeds/box can be good with a few scrapes. After you get a feel for it you can start with blanks and then tube cane and then cane growing and then fertilizer production and then...
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Author: RodRubber
Date: 2007-10-23 03:22
If you're going to make your own reeds, i would strongly encourage making your own blanks from tubes. This way, you can really control the entire process, identify which tubes have the good vibrational qualities, and make several reeds from the same tube. Also, hand made reesd last considerably longer, and change less with the weather once they are broken in.
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