 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: apw
Date: 2008-09-12 21:39
REEDS !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Author: apw
Date: 2008-09-12 21:44
Sorry, should qualify that. What has happened to Vandoren reeds? apart from the obvious that is. I have just tried 60!!!! (V12 3.5) and they are either too hard and fuzzy or too soft with no body. Is it me or have they lost the plot over there at 56 Rue Lepic. I've had some correspondence with Vandoren and they tell me nothing has changed, well that 's not what I'm experiencing.
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Author: apw
Date: 2008-09-12 21:45
You see I'm so demented by this I can't even type properly. I never could spell.
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Author: apw
Date: 2008-09-12 21:47
I've got it, but my experience is that not every reed out of 60 would need ,never mind a bit of finishing, major surgery!
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Author: FDF
Date: 2008-09-12 21:48
Andrew,
Don't know how long you have been playing, but don't let reeds be your frustration. Many other problems will serve the purpose. Your clarinet is the most important part, after, of course, yourself. If you think your reeds are your problem, you will most likely misdirect your attention. Play through your reed problems and concentrate on basic techniques. Also, play some stuff you really like without any worry.
Forest
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-09-12 21:57
Bad cane makes bad reeds, period. One year a bottle of French Bordeaux could cost $100 a bottle and the next $10.00 a bottle because just like cane, bad grapes makes bad wine. Too much rain, not enough rain, to much sun, not enough sun and on and on and on. It all adds up to poor quality. The difference is that reed companies don't discount when the cane is bad. You can't polish dirt. ESP www.peabody.jhu.edu/457 Listen to a little Mozart
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2008-09-12 22:10
Ed,
so why don't they put the year on the box?
"I'd like to have a box of 2003 Château Anche" - "Morning or evening sun, sir?"
--
Ben
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Author: JJAlbrecht
Date: 2008-09-13 01:42
So does Gonzalez and ReeedsAustralia.
Jeff
“Everyone discovers their own way of destroying themselves, and some people choose the clarinet.” Kalman Opperman, 1919-2010
"A drummer is a musician's best friend."
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Author: pewd
Date: 2008-09-13 02:51
did you change your mouthpiece by chance?
i've been seeing a lot of bad vandoren mouthpieces lately ...
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2008-09-13 03:16
I'm glad someone else answered about the dates on reeds because I don't use Vandoren so I didn't know if they do or not. There are many other brands that grow cane in many different parts of the world. You should try some other brands. Also, if you drink lots of wine before you try your reeds, and during, you will find a great improvement in the quality, of the reeds. ESP
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Author: William
Date: 2008-09-13 14:43
Out of similar FRUSTRATION with my first two boxes of flowpack V12 3.5s, I bought a box of Rico Reserves--5 to the box--and was quite pleased with how well they played right out of the box. Three were "performance" quality and the other two rehearsal or practice stock. Much better than the two boxes (20 reeds) of V12s which gave me no usable reeds. As I wrote to GBK, I might just have become a Rico convert.
BTW, I do agree that we need to play the "hand" that we are dealt when it comes to reeds. Universtiy of Michigan Professor William Stubbins (long ago retired) used to scream at his students, "Play The REED, don't let the reed play You." Of course, he advocated working reeds, etc., but what he was really implying is we should not be so quick to blame the equipement for our own playing problems. It's not so much about the equipement--reeds, mouthpieces, Buffet, Selmer, etc--as it is about the player. Like George F may have said, "You can Handel them". Good practicing :<)
Post Edited (2008-09-13 14:58)
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Author: Tobin
Date: 2008-09-16 02:48
Is there a specific varietal that you find effective, Ed?
James
Gnothi Seauton
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Author: Bassie
Date: 2008-09-17 12:12
It's probably not Vandoren's fault, it's that your technique and/or perception has changed. There are /lots/ of reed manufacturers out there - try them all! I spend quite a lot of time 'trying them all', but I find that when my tone is right, everything else falls into place.
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Author: oldvter
Date: 2008-09-18 18:18
I agree with Paul's post... consider your mouthpiece!!!
Since I switched over to a mouthpiece crafted by Ben Redwine, I have great confidence in my reeds. I play on Ben's Gennusa Retro (1.14 opening), and since I switched to this mouthpiece, my reeds are no longer an issue. Consistent and reliable.
It's nice to focus on the music and not have to worry about the equipment!!! That's how it should be. I love the confidence I feel when I put a reed on prior to a performance and I know it will work!!! I feel bad for all those who are still fighting the "reed fight."
( Check out Ben's site: http://redwinejazz.com )
Think about it! This could be your solution, just like it was for me.
Christine
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