 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-11 20:46
It’s such a simple question but I bet we all use different factors, and different weights on those factors to decide. I’ll bet for at least some of us, questions like the following get raised:
1) How many “good” reeds will that leave me in my rotation?
2) How many boxes of new reeds do I have to source new good reeds from?
3) How much can I afford new reeds?
4) Was it a cheaper brand reed?
5) How long have I played on it? Have I really given it a chance or worked on it with abrasives somewhat?
6) Will this reed simply not allow me to play upcoming works I’m to perform?
7) I already have enough “practice reeds.” Do I need another?
8) What’s the weather outside; cold/warm, humid/dry?
9) What kind of time tradeoffs do I have to make not practicing, while developing new reeds?
Earlier today I was playing a piece I’m to perform this weekend that involved what I would normally consider a pretty basic but reasonably fast articulated passage starting with clarion “B” and following with a Chalumeau “G.” That Chalumeau “G” was hard to voice, tending towards playing a higher note.
Whipping out the ole' double lip embouchure I normally don’t play with got the problem to go away somewhat, and I really should force myself to switch over, but not before this weekend’s performance, and otherwise a story for another day.
A quick inspection of my instrument and fingers, along with a change in reed got the problem to go away, and reintroduce itself when the original reed was put back on the mouthpiece . (This author acknowledges the less than double blind rigor of his testing.)
Without question, the problem was the reed—at least for me, and my setup (human and instrument), its pluses and limitations notwithstanding.
Of course, nurturing soul that I am, I put the reed back in the case, but noted to try it in the next few days.
For what it’s worth, acquiring the reeds I need won’t break the bank for me, nor would I care to spend (I’ll throw out a number) more than $30/month on average for them (probably a lot less). And I tend to break in and store reeds similarly (although not nearly with as much turnover) as Mark Nuccio does.
So when it is it time to send the “little bugger” to reed heaven when you’re otherwise on the fence about it? It’s an easy decision for junk reeds, but not so easy for reeds that seem to show, or have already shown potential, but may be reaching the end of their useful life.
Answers other than, “after I’ve smashed it in frustration into an immovable object,” appreciated, as sure as the former is duly noted with empathy.
A recent post suggested a certain number of hours of play as the most objective standard, as sure as none of us are going to want to part with a great reed simply because it’s lasting longer than an average cut off time we’ve set.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2014-12-11 21:38
WhitePlainsDave wrote:
> ...but not so easy for reeds that
> seem to show, or have already shown potential, but may be
> reaching the end of their useful life.
>
I'm not sure if you're talking about reeds you've begun to break in but can't quite get comfortable with, or reeds you've been playing on successfully for some time that are gradually becoming unresponsive.
The excerpt seems to suggest you aren't talking about seasoned reeds that have served well and become old because of your use of the word "potential." If potential is all the reed has going for it, I'd chuck it after a couple of attempts (on different days) at balancing/thinning it if it's still balky or dull sounding. Once you've done enough work on a reed in trying to bring out its potential, you've probably taken enough wood out in the wrong places that, if you finally find the right spot, the reed will simply collapse. There is a cost-benefit ratio that comes into play when you invest time in a questionable new reed. How much is the time you're putting in worth in comparison to the actual cost of the reed? How much time do you mind wasting if the reed never comes around?
If the question also concerns older reeds that may have outlived their usefulness, it depends on the result when you try to re-adjust it. If small balancing adjustments don't revive an old reed, then it's probably done and may as well be discarded. What I have never found beneficial is to keep accommodating an aging reed by compensating somewhere in my playing technique to "make" it work. Eventually, I've contorted things too much to be in control. Better to sacrifice a reed than my overall comfort and control.
Karl
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Author: WhitePlainsDave
Date: 2014-12-11 22:14
kdk wrote:
> I'm not sure if you're talking about reeds you've begun to break in but can't > quite get comfortable with, or reeds you've been playing on successfully for > some time that are gradually becoming unresponsive.
Both. Thanks for your "when to discard an old reed" methodology.
Pack rats and old reeds make for too many reeds in one's rotation I'm sure.
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2014-12-13 04:54
To many questions. If you know how to break in your reeds properly, if you know how to adjust reeds properly, if you knew how to keep your reeds humidity controlled and care for them, if you know how to rotate your reeds properly you won't have to present all those questions because you would always have a decent reed to play on.
ESP eddiesclarinet.com
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