The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

New Topic | Go to Top | Go to Topic | Search | Help/Rules | Smileys/Notes | Log In

Previous Message | Next Message

reed obsession

Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-08-11 02:57

From the many posts and answers I’ve read over time on our BB I’ve come to the conclusion that many folks don’t understand why some players get so obsessed over reeds. I’ve known clarinetists that are constantly making adjustments, taking weeks to break reeds in while going through hoops each and every day only to discard most of them by the time they’re “broken” in. I’ve known players that have 30 or more reeds on their stand during a rehearsal and are constantly changing reeds, even during rests at performances. I’ve played with a player that rotated over 24 reeds, keeping a dairy every day for each reed. I've heard of some that just go through boxes of reeds and just pick the best they can find at any given time. And I’ve known players that used the same reed for weeks on end. Iggy Gennusa was one of those players. He was the principal in the BSO during my first 7 years, and what a beautiful tone he got. He would play on the same reed for about 3-4 weeks. I could usually tell when he was becoming dissatisfied with his reed. It would begin to sound a little thinner and he would be in a bad mood all week while he would go through box after box of Vandorens at rehearsals. After a while he found “his” reed and everything was honky dory for 3-4 weeks again. He was so obsessed that on occasions he would refuse to take the reed off the mouthpiece or even swab because he told me he didn’t want to change the "molecules". He would say they were all lined up in the right place. I have no idea what he did in his studio as far as making adjustments or not. Iggy had some strange ideas but he sounded beautiful, you had to know him.
So why do many professionals get so antsy over reeds? It’s because once they’ve tasted the honey everything else is vinegar so they’re not satisfied with simply having a decent reeds, they are always looking for the “perfect” reed because we know what it sounds and feels like. I can’t speak for every professional but when I have a truly great reed I just love to hear myself play but when it’s just a bit off I’m unhappy with it even though no one else can tell the difference. Once they taste perfection it’s all over because they’re not satisfied with 90% or 95 % good, they’re looking for the all-elusive perfect reed, something that many of our readers don’t understand. The secret though is not to let it control you but for you to get control of. Something that even many professionals have never learned to do. I finally did many years ago and I’m a much happier person for it, but I still want to have the “perfect” reed, I just don’t beat my wife or kick the dog, cat in my case, when I can’t find it. I have what works for me on my website. It may or may not work for you.
ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com

Reply To Message | Avail. Forums | Flat View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Topics

Author

Date

reed obsession new

Ed Palanker

2009-08-11 02:57