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Re: How to Avoid "Outgrowing" Reed Strengths

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2023-03-27 22:10

I appreciate the fact that you were able to express more ambiguity at toward the end of your last post and then continue with a more detailed issue.

My perspective is that this is a bit trickier.

I had for many years been a dyed in the wool biter. As such it was always (and that may be the case overall for most) much easier moving UP in resistance whether it be with a more open mouthpiece or a harder reed. If you think about it, we adjust up in energy to make the pitch of a note higher but that direction is more work (for classical players) and the adjustments are finer. So I think we like the finer tuning aspect better than the looser, more precarious and flabbier sounding alternative.

More recently I have gone down in the energy spectrum via German mouthpieces (which can be adapted to fit into Boehm barrels). The traditional German approach uses a different kind of lay that is technically longer and more close than anything Boehm ever thought of doing and pair that with 2 1/2 strength German reed. I spent about two years with that........and went back to Boehm much better off. I have now returned to the German mouthpieces and have found that I need to release more energy. I am not sure if I got balled up in the "energy" spiral again or just needed further conditioning.

The best thing I can say about a truly nuanced and relaxed embouchure, is that the pitch across the horn is much more even. There is NO forcing of the top altissimo (of course I'm happy with the high triple C......I can't speak for what comes above that). The low chalumeau B, A and G no longer (for me) need to be lipped down at lower dynamics......another great benefit.

I would think that being cognizant of a truly even timbre and pitch in all registers at all dynamics is the key to remaining happy with a light approach. I stick with single lip but also remain quite light in approach. And probably won't go back to Boehm mouthpieces ever again (on Boehm!!!!).

..................Paul Aviles

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