 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-06 21:30
I went to a Tom Ridenour Master Class today @ Oklahoma City University. The class was excellent. Tom is incredible; he is such an incredible resource for all of us. BUT, thats *NOT* the reason why I started this conversation. Many of you know Tom & what I said is the the status quo, & is ift repeated..
However, Tom presented a 2 hour practical application lecture this afternoon, including how to adjust reeds. IT WAS INCREDIBLE! I think that many in attendance came away with the definite feeling that if we do as Tom instructed us, we can get (many, many) more good reeds out of every box. Tom doesn't use knives. He uses 220, 400 & 600 grit wet/dry sandpaper & has a (very) limited, decided approach to working reeds. His demo didn't even use any glass!!! Tom uses 2 (very simple) easily-repeated tests to identify what should be done to each reed. I really am excited.
mw
PS Tom's new book has a chapter dedicated to this.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-06 22:20
Does the chapter on reeds have clear pictures to support the text? I have Pino's book, and the chapter on reeds is superb, but it's hard for me to distinguish the pictures.
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-06 22:26
I'll have to check, I am at work & don't have the book with me. That said, I could have been blindfolded & I would still *KNOW* what to do (albeit, I might be doubting as to how easy it *IS*).
I have heard it said that in facing or refacing, the *LESS* that is done the better.
... definitely true for reeds, too.
mw
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2000-11-06 23:05
Many thanx, Mark, I just couldn't make it. Anything you can tell us will be great, and I'll get his book, will Gary Van Cott handle it? Is there more than reed advice-teaching in it? Will be in OKC next weekend, will try to contact you. Don
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-07 10:14
You can call Ridenour Clarinet Products to order the book.
1-888-AKUSTIK
(1-888-258-7845)
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-07 11:56
Right. Contact Tom or go to a book dealer like Gary VanCott's Online Book Store, Clarinet Books and More (Gary is a Sneezy sponsor/supporter).
Tom uses a simple method where he draws the reed towards himself; he never works the flat side of the reed. He also doesn't polish the flat side to seal, etc.
I have his book out now. Chapter 9, "The Fundamentals of Reed Balancing". A fairly detailed chapter, 20 pages in length. As best I can tell, Tom's presentation in Chapter 9 **MIRRORS** (exactly) his lecture-master class presentation. Diagrams & Pictures to support what he does in balancing.
The book's name is "The Educator's Guide to the Clarinet".
Good luck.
mw
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Author: William
Date: 2000-11-07 15:51
Does Tom still make all his reeds from blanks on a ReedDuel? If not, what brand is he currently using? FYI, when I knew Tom at LeBlanc, he always had a reed machine attached to his work bench which he used to make his reeds. Also, at that time, he was pushing Marca Traditional reeds. So,,,,,just wondering what he is up to now. Bye the way, I have the utmost respect for Tom as a master clarinet accoustician and educator.
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-07 17:40
Hi, William. Tom had a (slightly modified older model) Reedual with him. He indicated that he doesn't use it much these days. He is using Rigoutti's that are finished reeds, not blanks (correct my spelling please as I have seen it spelled @ least 10 different ways) : - ) mw
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-08 18:02
I can report that I have now adjusted 5 or 6 reeds since attending Tom's Master Class. I have improved them all, & damaged none ("... look ma no knife").
The biggest thing was that 2 of these reeds were Vandoren 4's that were **TERRIBLY ** unbalanced on 1 side (guess which one). I would (previously) have pitched those reeds to the Wood Pile. But, not now ... now I have adjusted those 2 Vandy's into pretty good, OK reeds. I am not saying that those Vandy's are great reeds, but I can promise that I will play them in the future & that they will die a natural death on my mouthpiece. I won't have to make any adjustments in my setup, etc to play these reeds.
Beats buying lots of reeds. Honestly, I never would have thought it would be this easy.
mw
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-08 18:12
Too bad he (Tom) doesn't sell a video version of the reed adjustment class.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-08 22:05
Author: mark weinstein wrote:
Thats a great idea, you ought to email him & tell him just that.
------------------------------------
I am going to call him about a clarinet, so I'll mention it to him then. I'll let you know what he says.
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Author: Bill
Date: 2000-11-10 11:29
I spoke to Tom about a reed adjustment video. He said that he has no current plans to make one. He is interested in making a video, but he does not have the resources.
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Author: mark weinstein
Date: 2000-11-10 14:34
I have been involved with the makiing of Videos in the past. To do it well can be a very expensive understaking. Production costs are fixed & variable. You have to have a known quantity of vidoes that you can sell quickly. Even then it is time consuming & reaching a breakeven point can take a long time ... years.
mw
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