The Clarinet BBoard

The Clarinet BBoard The C4 standard

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

Newer Topic | Older Topic

Press firmly with your thumb to save hard reeds

Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-03-07 04:32

I read Tom Alexander's homepage and found this paragraph:

"Here is a trick that Joe Henderson showed me years ago which really works and saved me many reed both in practice sessions and on live gigs...

With the reed wet and ligatured to the mouthpiece, press firmly a few times with your thumb on the middle and rear slope area of the reed to help loosen up the fibers a bit and make it less resistant. This will take you some practice to perfect, because if you press too firmly, you will get a reed with too little resistance and possibly end up taking the spring and life out of it. But once you master the operation by feeling the right amount and number of presses it takes, you may find yourself with a vastly improved, custom reed! Try a press or two, play it, and try again if need be...it will be worth it once you see the results...."

Does anybody know this trick and have applied to clarinet reeds?

He also stated in the same page to immerse the reed into the tip to avoid
uneven wetness. This is also a new revelation for me.

Reply To Message

RE: Press firmly with your thumb to save hard reed

Author: Ken
Date: 2001-03-08 00:38

It's no miracle cure, it works for some but only temporarily, reeds will go back to the way they were...usually blowing hard again.

Reply To Message

Avail. Forums | Threaded View

Newer Topic | Older Topic

The Clarinet Pages

For Sale
Put your ads for items you'd like to sell here. Free! Please, no more than two at a time - ads removed after two weeks.