Author: Dutchy
Date: 2007-06-12 04:38
Actually, I have found that using a too-hard reed does not seem to foster a stronger embouchure in time; it seems to be counter-productive, as you get tired out faster, and you find yourself focusing simply on grimly slogging through X number of minutes of practice just so you can say you did your practice, rather than being able to relax and focus on what you're playing. You spend your time struggling with your embouchure and the reed, just trying to get a decent sound out of the instrument, rather than on improving your overall technique.
I'd say that if after a week or so they don't seem to be getting any easier to play, put them away in the "Pending" reed box for 6 months or so, and switch to a softer reed for the time being.
It took me a long time to learn that there's no particular merit in moving up to a harder reed--there's nobody out there keeping score, "Well, she's been playing long enough, she oughta be able to handle a Medium." I felt like I was an adult, I oughta be able to be playing on a Medium by now, for goodness sake. But I was just tired all the time, after only a few bars of playing, and practice was turning into an ordeal. Once I humbled myself and scaled back to Medium-Softs, I did much better and was able to make better progress, with the result that with Fox and Gower reeds, I am actually back to playing Mediums (not that it matters, of course...)
With Meg's reeds I always order Medium Softs, though. She does make them harder than other people's reeds.
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