Author: jhoyla
Date: 2011-10-23 06:41
Rachel,
There are as many (or more) short-scrape styles as there are long scrape styles. There is the French scrape (short U, no humps, even gradation from back to tip), German (slightly longer U or W scrape, distinct ^ blend from back to tip) Dutch (straight across from bark to back, even gradation then steep ~1.5 mm of tip). Some players scrape their tips, some slice them, etc. etc.
You are correct that Evelyn Rothwell's style seems to be somewhere in between a true American scrape and a European scrape. It obviously worked for her!
All of the scrapes - without exception - have a gradation from heart to tip, and from spine to sides. This leaves you with extremely thin corners and some weight to the heart. All the rest is nuance. I suspect that if you get that part right and keep the rest of the reed well balanced, you'll have a reed that plays well irrespective of the style of scrape. Where long-scrape reeds lack in strength they make up for it with structure.
This is the reason I suggested you concentrate on getting your American scrape perfect this year. All the skills you learn will be just as useful when (or if) you move back to short-scrape reeds when you return to Australia. Since you are in USA, perhaps this is the time to choose a gouger and begin gouging and shaping your own cane? Time enough to worry about short scrape reeds when you are surrounded by short scrape players!
2c,
J.
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