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Re: Mouthpiece and Reed Questions

Author: CarlT
Date: 2008-08-22 18:51

Mark and GBK, I did not "revive" this old post but feel obligated to respond, especially to TonkaToy, who wrote,

"Why would you think that a softer reed is in any way tied to a "mediocre" tone?"

Okay, good reasoning, TonkaToy. What I should have said was that sometimes, for me anyway, a low numbered (soft) reed is impossible for me to blow a good B and C above the staff (top of clarion register) with my Fobes Debut beginner mp. It simply closes up. So I have to use at least a 2 1/2 (Vandoren) to be able to do that. Also the tone is quite bad (even I can detect that, compared to the 2 1/2 reed. Yes, I can use a more open mp (say a 5RV Lyre, which I have), but still have a bit of a problem with my embouchure. I have tried #2 Rico's with bad results.

I will admit that I have not tried a #2 VD reed yet (my local store is out of them temporarily, and I hate to order a whole box, not being sure of them yet), so once I get one, I will try that size and see if I can get a good sound, especially at the top of the clarion.

I certainly don't wish to be macho about this. If I could play a 1-1/2 and be any good, I would do so. I think one of my problems is that by 4 months of playing every day, I would think my embouchure muscles should be very strong. Alas, they are still weak, as I find I can only hold out for about 15 minutes before having to stop for awhile. I think I am just very impatient, but I still have not lost any enthusiasm, and I will overcome this. I'm optimistic about the #2 reed being a "happy medium" for me.

Thanks for your posts.

CarlT

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Mouthpiece and Reed Questions new

CarlT

2008-08-12 02:38