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RE: Reed recommendation

Author: Josh Schultze
Date: 2002-12-04 15:26

In my opinion the Mouthpiece/Reed combination is the most important factor in determining sound quality. What you might also try are different brands of reeds. Sometimes you can get a better sound from a reed other than a Vandoren V12. The advantage to trying different brands of reeds is that you rely less on the reed and more on your embouchure. You develop the ability to hit the notes that you want as a result of embouchure ability.

I had been using V12's for years. Then I started trying different brands of reed. I noticed that I would have to make subtle mouth adjustments for each brand. This allowed my embouchure to become more flexible. Last year my instructor taught me how to make my own reeds. The knowledge in making reeds is invaluable in understanding how reed shape, thickness and age affect sound.

So in your case, it is very possible that you can achieve a better sound by exploring reed brands. I would suggest buying the harder reed for each brand than you are used to because you can always sand them down.

Good luck,
Josh

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