Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2012-08-15 13:58
Dear Robin,
Thank you for your praise on the subject.
I wish I had experience making reed on more than a Renard 333 and my current Loree C Series. This would definitely make me more knowledgeable when it comes to assisting others.
One thing I've noticed that greatly effects intonation is air speed. The faster the air moves through the reed/instrument, the sharper it is. So I would recommend finding a way to make the air speed for your high notes faster, while not effecting the speed of air when playing notes in the low register.
A few suggestions that could potentially work:
Switching to a staple with a larger inside diameter. Once you make this switch, you'll probably notice a whole new dynamic of intonation problems, but in theory this should allow more air into the instrument, bringing up the pitch. I use Chudnow CA staples, which are larger than any other staple I've tried. The size I feel keeps my pitch up, and then I adjust the reed down from there. I wind up with reeds 70.5mm. 70mm is usually sharp.
This next bit is pure hypothesis: What you may try to do is adjust reeds solely for pitch in the upper register. Don't even worry about the low or mid registers at this point. When the reed plays comfortably in tune in the high register, you can use your sandpaper on the throat and belly, taking in small amounts, and observing the changes. My theory here is that the tip of the reed is the predominant for driving the upper register (I don't know if this is true or not, so take with salt), and the belly and throat drive the low register. The thinner the shape, the less air can move through that particular part of the reed, and there is a good chance this will bring down the pitch of the thinned area. If your new reeds are consistent with what you said above, the reed you first made should start in tune in the high register and sharp in the low register. If you bring down the intonation of low register from this shape, you may find a shape that is easy to play.
I'm interested to hear your results.
Drew S.
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