The Clarinet BBoard

Re: Practice time frustration and reeds

Author: ThatPerfectReed  Date:   2014-03-09 20:41 While this has been covered well above, I’d like to answer this more in a recipe format: a checklist you can do. > I've come across a problem playing-wise. Is it actually true that if another person is getting in more practice time than you, they'll eventually play better? 1) No. Like already said, it depends on the your innate abilities compared to the other player’s, the quality of your respectively practice times, and yes, time spent behind the clarinet, not simply practicing the solos, but the etudes from the teaching books. > Another problem is reeds. How often do you all go through reeds? My current set up is a Buffet R13, VD M15 mp, VD optimum ligature, and V12 3.5 reeds) I feel that whenever I open up a box of reeds, about a week in of breaking them in, they are extremely free blowing, very soft, and simply don't have any color to them(if that even matters?) I've tried using size 4s but they are a little too hard, as I like to have some control of my sound. Would anyone recommend synthetic reeds or any other good types? 2) Break in reeds slowly. Follow a methodology for doing so, not inconsistent from this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9y0Zv3EZ-Ms. Switch around what reeds in your playing stock you play. Expect them to last weeks. Rub the top of reeds down to seal in the pores. 3) Acquire this: http://www.ridenourclarinetproducts.com/ATG1.html I truly believe the ATG system is worth it, and I have nothing to gain/lose by recommending it. Notice that I did not mention that the ATG system of reed balancing is the holy grail of clarinet play. That’s because there is no holy grail of clarinet play. 4)Balance your reeds as per the above, starting with a strength 4 stock may be the way to go for you. 5)Sure, try other manufacturer’s reeds if you like. Rico Reserve, Gonzalez (never tried), but don’t set your expectations too high that any manufacturer’s reeds are going to be your pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. That pot's stuck in the same inaccessible place as the aforementioned grail. Know you are not alone: everyone deals with reed issues. Where we differ is on the place where we accept that a reed is no longer good. Don't play crappy reeds. Conversely, don't disguard decent if not excellent ones. Use them for practice. That sentence has double meaning. Practice as in scales, etudes, solos, and practice as in "preparation for the real world where you good reeds will sometimes be off during performances too." 6) Go out and buy some synthetic Forestones and Legere’s. Each manufacturer’s website has charts that compare the reed strengths to major competitor’s reeds. Buy synthetics at the strength you play (3.75ish), not what you buy your reeds at (4ish). Compare synthetics by reed strength, more than mouthpiece you're playing on. Slap on a synthetic for practice if you can’t find good cane. Never sacrifice practice time. 7) Keep your reeds in a humidity controlled environment when not in play. Plenty of posts on the board talk about this. Always spend some time preparing new reeds, as your existing good ones will eventually fail you. 8)Sightreed. Slow the metronome down and play accurately first. Then, speed the metronome up. .......I have at least 10,000 more . I tailored the first 8 for you.

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