The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Sandee
Date: 2001-06-19 00:29
1) How often do you generally change those mouthpiece saver thingys? They are a wonderful invention.
2) Would playing a reed that is too soft cause your sound to be flat? How about one that is just getting kind of old/soggy? How do you tell if a reed is past it's prime?
3) I just got a copy of the Andy Statman klezmer instructional video. Anyone know what kind of clarinet he's playing?
Thanks all - Sandee
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Author: Sara
Date: 2001-06-19 02:10
~As for the reed savers I rarely if ever change my mouthpiece saver- but then again, I've only been playing for a a cople of years; compared to the lifetime that some of these guys have spent playing! And they are wonderful, although insanely expensive for what they are.
~As for the soft reeds being flat-yes, I got some big point deductions at a solo festival for the reed being slightly soft, and causing my intonation to go haywire!
Well thats all I can help ytou with, my experience is limited to my meager four years of playing!!
Sara
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Author: Don Poulsen
Date: 2001-06-19 14:03
(2) Use your judgement with the reed. If you aren't nearly as pleased with the reed as you used to be, use a new one. Because a reed changes gradually, you may not notice how it has changed until you try a better reed. A lot of players rotate through several reeds, playing on a different one each time they assemble their instrument. You should at least have some extras on hand so you can compare their sounds or replace the old one when needed.
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Author: Ken Shaw
Date: 2001-06-19 19:29
Sandee -
Reeds get old gradually, so it's hard to know when one is worn out. There are two possible solutions. First, put on a new reed. If it plays a lot better, so that the old one sounds metallic and dead, it's time to introduce Mr. Old Reed to Mr. Waste Basket, or, for more satisfaction, to Mr. Wall.
As Don says, the better solution is to buy a box of reeds. Start playing 3. After a week, start playing 3 more. After another week, start playing the rest. Keep them in rotation, so that you'll always have something to compare your current reed to, and keep another box in reserve. I know that seems like a lot of money to spend on reeds, but all of us do it. I tried to grow a bamboo tooth once, but without success :-,).
Ken Shaw
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