Author: WoodwindOz
Date: 2012-03-10 01:09
So I destroyed a few (short scrape) reeds this week trying to make them 'sound good'. Actually, it was a whole case full. Then my awesome reed started to die. I decided I would keep this reed and examine it to see why it was so good, why was it soooo much better than the others?
Today I had a lesson. I played on said almost-dead reed. We had a conversation about reeds, and Mr Dee asked to look at mine. Upon examination, he could detect a clear heart and windows WITHIN my U-shaped short scrape. We both realised that this beautiful reed was essentially a compressed long-scrape reed with more blending between areas. Based on this idea, if I created more of a roofline (my inverted crescent tip did have the tendency to become, well, straight) with a chimney through the bulk of the tip, took more out of the 'windows' and less out of the 'heart', plus leaving more stability in the sides (as the windows would be doing the work there), I would have an even warmer sounding reed.
I spent 40 mins in the reed lab on one reed, concentrating on these areas rather than just achieving a scrape which vibrated. It was the most beautiful reed I have ever made. I played it for one of the other students, and she remarked on just how warm it was. I was so happy!
For those interested in, or already making, short scrape reeds, if you can take anything out of all of that I am happy to share!
If I can actually get a picture to work later, I can take one of where Mr Dee drew on my original reed to highlight the heart and windows, and I will try to get a backlit one of the new reed.
Rachel
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