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Re: Double-lip for beginner

Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2017-11-01 13:04

Philip, a 3 1/2 strength reed is pretty close to what I think I use. Caroline is on the money here regarding stiff reeds for double lip players. Those old 50 year old reeds may be on the softer side. As I recall I played on 4's, sometimes 5's, but I would work down the 5's using a reed knife and sandpaper.

I think what we all have to watch out for is playing above high C. We cannot bite to reach the pitch and we cannot play flat. This is the hardest part of playing with a double lip. Also there isn't enough music written above high C.

So what do you do? I played a lot of violin music. A lot of it is out of range, but it sure worked. I don't think we need really hard reeds, but just hard enough. With your mouthpiece the tip opening is only 1.01 so a 4 strength reed should be perfect. I'm at 1.05 and use a 3 1/2, or work down a 4 strength reed over about a week; breaking in the reed. Sometimes harder reeds last longer and play better up high. They can also have a warmer sound. Hope this helps.

Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces

Yamaha Artist 2015

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