 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Benni
Date: 2002-12-26 19:49
Do cut-down alto sax reeds typically have a "gruffer" sound than regular clarinet reeds? I recently tried a cut-down sax reed (cut off on the sides to fit the facing, not cut at the tip), and the best way I can describe it's sound is "gruff." It doesn't necessicarily sound bad, and the tone is still as focused, it just sounds different . . . So, in short, do all cut-down sax reeds tend to sound like this, or did I just get an odd one?
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2002-12-26 19:58
Check the thickness of the blank, on the uncut end.
If the 'butt' end is considerably thicker, you have more spine as well... this may contribute to the sound you're describing.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-12-26 21:24
You also may find that you need a fairly hard strength sax reed compared to what you use on clarinet. Vandoren V12 reeds are made from a sax thickness blank cut to clarinet size and they don't tend to be gruff so this may not be the problem although I will gladly bow to greater experience in this area.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Benni
Date: 2002-12-26 21:43
Actually, I typically play V12s and thick-blank Zondas, which is why the different sound from the cut-down sax reed surprised me, considering it's not much thicker!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Benni
Date: 2002-12-26 22:05
(I should add that I don't plan on playing cut-down sax reeds as a standard thing . . . I just made one for myself out of curiousity!) :-)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2002-12-26 23:19
My jazz clarinetist friend (played for Dick Rudibush and Wild Bill Davidson) uses cut down soprano sax reeds--not sure what strength, however. His sound is fine.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Malaya
Date: 2002-12-28 00:56
How does one "cut down" a reed?? I've often considered trying this, since our band director always has a TON of alto reeds, but no clarinet ones. I've never tried it because I don't know how to perform such an odd task, and I think that's a waste of reeds, since I know I'd screw it up. (I play alto on the side, and I'm really particular about reeds.) I would assume you don't use your fiskars safety scissors, or one of mom's steak knives. LOL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Benni
Date: 2002-12-28 21:33
I used an Xacto-type blade and cut down the alto reed after tracing a clarinet reed onto the back of it so I would get the size right.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
