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A history of reeds

Author: Wei-yun Wu
Date: 2001-11-17 20:01

Hi,

I'm a grad student at Northwestern University, doing a research on the history of reeds for one of my classes. Unfortunately, I have not been able to come across a lot of information. . . I know there is a book, Reed Knowledge, that might be helpful, but I have not been able to find it anywhere! I've also looked on the ICA webpage to no avail. . . I was wondering if anyone could point me in the right direction for some information on the history of reeds. Or even the history of some of the reed manufacturing companies. Thank you so much!

Wei-yun

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RE: A history of reeds

Author: GBK
Date: 2001-11-17 20:13

This is NOT a difficult topic to research. Did you start with the homepages of each of the reed manufacturers for an overview of their history? I know that Rico gives out a good bit of information as to their origin:

http://www.ricoreeds.com/inside.html

Did you thoroughly check the back issues of "The Clarinet" magazine? Practically every major (and even minor) reed company has been profiled at one time or another.

The number of other articles on reed comparisons and differences between brands as far as design and style is almost endless...GBK

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RE: A history of reeds

Author: GBK
Date: 2001-11-17 20:28

Also...since the history of reeds will probably run tangentally with the history of the clarinet, you should check many of the standard clarinet texts which have been written over the past 30 years.

There are a few excellent chapters on reed history and development in Rendall's book - "The Clarinet" (Norton publishing)

Don't forget to check Grove's as well...GBK

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RE: A history of reeds

Author: Wei-yun Wu
Date: 2001-11-17 23:08

Thanks for the info!

I've actually checked the Rico and Vandoren websites already. I thought their overviews were helpful, but not thorough enough for my presentation. . . :P Checking "The Clarinet" issues is a great idea though. Thanks!

Wei-yun

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RE: A history of reeds

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-18 13:59

Have you thought of looking in patents? I believe there is a "subclass" in Class 84 in the US Patent Office specifically for all kinds of reeds, which will date back to about 1800. I'll try to find the location and post it, but you might look at www.uspto.gov Searching on line might not be easy for history, but each state has at least one "Patent Depository Library" and much low-cost help is available there. Ask your local reference librarian about it, or I can give you your state's locations. Luck, Don

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RE: A history of reeds

Author: Don Berger
Date: 2001-11-18 14:17

Yes, Class 84/ 383A appears to be the location, however you may be overloaded with specific info. The fairly recent Legere reed patent has much discussion. Don

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RE: A history of reeds

Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-11-19 04:26

Cane's academic word is "arundo donax". If you search by this key word, many info come up.

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RE: A history of reeds

Author: Hiroshi
Date: 2001-11-19 04:28

Cornet might be one of the ancient reed instrument. FYI.
(In ancient music cornet was not like the one we habe now.)

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