 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: maxnorman
Date: 2012-06-18 03:14
Hello All,
My orchestra is leaving this coming Wednesday for a tour of Eastern Europe, during which we'll be playing three concerts. As our departure approaches, I'm beginning to wonder whether I should prepare reeds at home (San Francisco) or whether I should wait until we arrive in Europe, after all the flights and in the new environment. What is the best plan of action?
Max
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2012-06-18 03:28
You can certainly prepare reeds before you go, a little harder and a little softer than usual, but you have to be prepared to make further adjustments when you arrive in Europe.
It doesn't take much change to create problems. Just before Clark Brody retired in Chicago, they came to New York and he sounded dreadful, very flat and flabby.
Kal Opperman told me Brody came to see him the next day, very upset. Kal made him a couple of reeds that worked, and also made him a mouthpiece that was right, at least for New York. I have no idea whether Brody continued to use it.
Ken Shaw
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2012-06-18 16:36
One extra alternative to add in is super soaked reeds. Adjust a few reeds at home and store them in water. Only take them out to play on and then return them to the container. If other things aren't working you have this to fall back on.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: JHowell
Date: 2012-06-18 20:05
It's kind of like reeds for an audition. Unless your standard procedure is to unwrap a new reed and play a concert on it, or unless you'll be there long enough beforehand to go through your normal break-in, you can't wait until you get there to start. When traveling like that, I try to "bracket" with some good reeds that are a little heavy and some a little light. Unless there are extreme altitude changes involved, I don't find that it's that big a deal. My best reed wherever I was is usually my best reed wherever I am. Going from sea level to 10,000 feet, that's different.
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Author: maxnorman
Date: 2012-06-18 20:06
Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm getting some reeds ready today.
Max
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Author: elmo lewis
Date: 2012-06-19 01:01
You might want to check the altitude of the cities where you will be playing. A higher altitude often requires a slightly softer reed.
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