 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2020-05-19 02:42
I am using Vandoren Rue Lepic 3.5 reed and rotate 8 of them for my daily practice - typically one or two each day for up to 2 hours.
This afternoon, at the beginning of the practice I noticed the reed's low F & G were way out of tune (-) but rest of notes (even the lowest E) up to F4 worked fine (within the range - green zone). This reed worked O.K. last time. So, I replaced it with another one, and that one worked fine for all notes.
My question is: does having particular one or two notes go bad all of sudden? What could have caused it happen?
It's not a big deal that I can just throw out the bad one but just curious to know for the future encounters/references.
Thanks,
Kijoon Kim
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Author: donald
Date: 2020-05-19 04:33
Check on the underside of the reed for small "bits" that may have got stuck there- skin off your lip or inside of mouth, a piece of shredded coconut, an eyelash hair that was in your clarinet case etc. It only takes a very small object to get on the vibrating portion of the reed to change how it works.
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Author: Tom H
Date: 2020-05-19 04:41
That's interesting advice which may very well be the answer. Though I've never had one or two notes play out of tune because of a reed problem rather than a mechanical one. And that's over 57 years.
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Author: kdk
Date: 2020-05-19 04:49
What did you do with the bad one? I wonder what might have happened if you had put it back on after the replacement worked. If it happens again, retry the problem reed after you've gotten a new reed to work, just to rule out a transient mechanical problem with the instrument.
Karl
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-05-19 05:35
Without seeing the reeds it's most likely the quality of the cane. Better cane usually helps keep the notes from going flat. It's a bit unusual to effect just a couple of notes. But this does happen.
I like these 56 reeds. The cane is usually pretty decent. Cane from different countries plays a huge role on the vibration of reeds. I've always preferred French cane, by the Var region for a number of reasons, but that's a different subject. I think some of the worst cane I've played on has also been from the Var region of France. So weather conditions, such as freezes surely can effect the cane cell and fiber structure.
There is also your embouchure, the mouthpiece bore, the chamber of the mouthpiece, and the mouthpiece facing can cause notes to play a bit under pitch. Shorter facings generally hold the pitch better, because this sometimes helps players have a firmer embouchure. Please note I didn't say biting or pinching. With longer facings often it's harder to reach your pitch, added when the cane isn't right. An example of a not so firm embouchure is suddenly practicing 8 hours a day. The embouchure is pretty much dead and with a softer reed a player will surely play a few notes a tad bit flat.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: donald
Date: 2020-05-19 15:31
My advice should actually be every players habitual practice. Take the reed off, wipe any extra moisture and/or foreign particles off every time you finish playing. Full stop.
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2020-05-19 18:35
Thank you all for your answers on the subject (and I got the picture).
Here are my feedback:
1. I eat almonds as my favorite snack all the time and possibly invisible bits. ;-)
2. I still have the one and will try again my next practice.
3. Only two notes (low F & G) gone bad on that particular reed. The other reed I picked up was O.K. with all notes. So, I doubt it's related to embouchure or equipment.
4. My mouthpiece is Vandoren M13 Lyre profile 88 and the barrel I use (recently acquired) is EVO Svelte by Behn - the hourglass shape one.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-05-19 19:23
Hello kj2008. You can view some of my comments from the past here. The Vandoren M series mouthpieces are a bit long in length and the bore is a bit big, just the opposite of their BD mouthpieces. Thus alone could be the problem. Brad is a gifted mouthpiece maker. I don't know anything about his barrels. Knowing Brad, you might want to talk with him directly and ask if he has a mouthpiece to match the barrel, then the horn, whatever horn you are playing on.
I always brush my teeth before playing. The reason is when I've repaired some horns, not mine, but clients, I often find the tone holes to be lets say, gummed up. I then clean these with those ear things referred to as Q-tips in the USA. Maybe these ideas could help? Hope so. And yes the tip opening is smaller and the facing is longer on the M series mouthpiece. But not overly long.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2020-05-19 20:36
Hi Bob,
This forum is really good source for me as an amateur DIY leaner. And, I get interesting stuffs time to time from your posts. Before each practice session, I always wash my hands and gurgle (no brush though) to make sure no food pieces get into the equipment.
I picked up the clarinet about 4 years ago after my retirement as a hobby and it became my pastime activity to fill my spare time.
I've been following Michelle Anderson's online learning materials diligently and a few private lessons here and there to make sure I am doing O.K.
Given this background, I am not picky for pursuing the best equip, accessories, etc. I got Behn's barrel hoping for a better life for my student horn I started with, B12. My current primary horn is E13. I read E13 is the best for non professionals for the quality and $.
I post my playing to YouTube for my friends once in a while (Accidentally I found this is the best way to share without taking too much of data to friends' phone or PC).
If you want and give any feed back, my YouTube userid is cctp2008 and two days ago I recorded Air on the G string, first time with piano accompaniment.
Thanks,
Kijoon Kim
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Author: kj2008
Date: 2020-05-20 02:03
I tried the bad one again at today's practice.
Now, more low notes are bad, beside F &G, E and A are gone while Clarion and altissimo notes still appear O.K.
So, it must be a good working reed (for 2 months) going bad fast. Obviously, it's worth to throw out this one now.
Just let folks who posted on this subject know.
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-05-20 02:25
Michelle Anderson is a very cool lady and very dedicated! If you speak with her say hello! I saw her a few years ago. She stopped by the booth at the ClarinetFest In Orlando Florida. That was fun! I heard some outstanding concerts that week. I also had a very nice chat with Brad Behn and a Yamaha repair guy! So much talent was there.
That's interesting how the reed has changed in just a day or 2. I agree with you. The reed may be done. You can try clipping the tip a tiny bit. If the reed is too soft this often can firm the reed up and add a week or 2 of life to your reed. If you don't have a clipper already pick up a reed clipper. This is the name of the better types. These last forever. I still have mine from the early 1970's, never had to sharpen it. You can find these at your better music stores. Cheers! Feel free in emailing me if you have any questions.
https://www.prowinds.com/product/8832/647?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI0tH8-PnA6QIVYhh9Ch1FOA1QEAAYASAAEgJaGPD_BwE
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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Author: EbClarinet
Date: 2020-05-24 23:57
Just b very careful that there r no worms or weevils growing in your mouth piece or on the under side of the reed.
This happened 2 me once in high school and once in college.
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/mbtldsongministry/
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