 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: annev
Date: 2013-02-24 17:44
Every year, around this time, I struggle with reed strength. It feels like all of my reeds (new or old) are soft. Some of the ring in the sound disappears from the clarion and the clarinet doesn't "hum" under my fingers as much. My solution has been to move up a half-step in reed strength. The harder reeds (much to my surprise) are playable and the ring and resonance returns. I wondered if it was just in my head, so at my last lesson I started with a reed at my current strength, and then mid-way switched to a reed at the newer strength. My teacher's comment was, "That's a good sounding reed". I don't believe that harder reed = more skill. I've been playing for about four years now and am wondering if this progression is normal? If it is, when can I expect to reach a final strength?
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Author: kdk
Date: 2013-02-24 17:58
Maybe you have. Apparently, the harder reed sounds better on your mouthpiece with your embouchure approach.
The other possibility is that something changed at the factory and the reeds being produced are softer.
Don't agonize over it. You may very well want to go back to the lower strength when the weather changes again later in the spring or summer. Or not...
Karl
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Author: annev
Date: 2013-02-25 17:13
It's definately bad reed weather here - dry dry dry. The funny thing is that this jump in reed strength during the winter has happened three times now. And I tend to stay with the new strength through the next cycle of seasons. Actually, it's like I walk through that particular reed strength through the year, since initially I favour the softer reeds in the box, then most of the reeds feel good and eventually I'm selecting the harder ones. Thanks for reminding me that every one has their own physiology and embouchure approach. I'll try to just trust the process!
Post Edited (2013-02-25 17:15)
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2013-02-25 18:34
Bad reed weather.
If the Weather Channel can warn us about the pollen index, surely a clarinet-ologist could give a reed forecast, no?
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