 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: 2E
Date: 2009-08-11 14:26
G'day bBoard :p
After watching videos of Mark Nuccio as posted in the Rico Reserve Classic thread and Reed Obsessions thread, I've been thinking alot about the quality and consistency (or lack thereof) of reeds on the market. Mark Nuccio claims that intonation varies from reed to reed, and this might very well be true when comparing reeds from different companies or different models within the same company. However, when you buy a box of reeds of the same model from any manufacturing company (however inconsistent they may respond when played), is the response in pitch always uniform? I would think that similar strength reeds of the same model would have similar properties for intonation, and this is something that I've never really noticed when playing in a whole box of reeds. Does anyone know of any truth behind Mark Nuccio's comments of reed 'intonation' inconsistency, as opposed to their tonal/resistance inconsistency? Do they go hand in hand? Can it be improved through balancing the resistance or sound of the reed?
What are your experiences to confirm/contradict this in reeds you've played?
Many thanks for your responses,
2E.
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Author: David Niethamer
Date: 2009-08-11 17:25
In my experience, reed do tune differently for a variety of reasons. Mr. Nucio is nice enough to say that he does it to make his colleagues' life easier, but in my experience, it also makes the player's life easier knowing where certain crucial notes are going to be intonation-wise. It's a very subtle thing, but I experienced it many times in my 23 years in the Richmond Symphony (and in situations since).
David
niethamer@aol.com
http://members.aol.com/dbnclar1/index.html
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2009-08-11 20:07
In my experience, 47 years as a professional player, clarinet and bass clarinet and going strong, I disagree with Mark and David to this degree. If you, at least in my case, choose a reed to play that's comfortable then it is you that plays in tune, not the reed. Sure, if it's too soft, too hard or unfocused it will cause you to have to make adjustments that you would not ordinarily have to make if the reed you choose is what you are comfortable with in the first place. So because of that I don't entirely agree and I'm even a Rico Performing Artist. ESP http://eddiesclarinet.com
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2009-08-11 21:37
Different reed strengths tune differently - same reed number, but different strength will tune slightly differently.
But it's the player who makes the changes to adjust on the fly, no big deal.
Play a comfortable reed and listen.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Arnoldstang
Date: 2009-08-12 03:12
Certainly on the oboe it is possible to have two reeds of the same basic strength that vary widely regarding intonation. One reed might sag in the upper octave. Beyond the variable of reed opening there is the possibility that the heart region is weaker on one reed. The strength of the heart is insufficient to control the tip during vibration so the tip overvibrates. Oboe players will clip the tip to cut down vibation and this tends to bring up the upper octave so it doesn't sag in comparison to the lower octave.
My suggestion is that the heart region of the clarinet reed influences intonation. The heart could vary in strength within the same reed strength number. It isn't as drastic as with the oboe but it probably exists to some degree.
Freelance woodwind performer
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2009-08-13 17:25
According to the theory of vibrations, if you have two systems connected/coupled together, that system will vibrate at a frequency that depends upon the combination of the two components.
The clarinet fundamental pitch is the combination of the reed and air column frequencies. If the reed's natural frequency is raised, the pitch rises, and if the reed's natural frequency is lowered, the pitch flattens.
That's what makes it possible to "lip" a note into tune. If you're flat, you press harder on the reed, wrap it a bit further around the curve of the lay of the mouthpiece, shorten the amount of reed vibrating, raise the reed's natural frequency, ... and drag the pitch up.
So, it makes sense that a stiffer reed that vibrates at a higher frequency will raise the pitch of the clarinet.
Bob Phillips
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Author: stimsonaa
Date: 2009-08-14 19:12
If a player does exactly the same thing with two different reeds, the two will tune differently, but I believe in practicing flexible pitch. Things like playing a siren on the mouthpiece. I'd say the biggest pitch thing I've noticed is that a too-hard reed diminishes the ability to adjust at all, making some of the natural tendencies (flaws) of the instrument more apparent. But I like the sound of stiffer reeds. Anyone else feel like there's a tradeoff between pitch flexibility and tone quality with their reed choices?
Albert Stimson
Midwest Musical Imports
www.mmimports.com
albert@mmimports.com
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Author: NBeaty
Date: 2009-08-14 20:17
Obviously, different reeds tune differently. I'm guessing that in the NY Phil. section any subtle variation in TONE or tuning with a reed would be something you would want to have control over. Playing the same reed for the same piece for several concerts would allow for more predictable blending and such.
Just a thought, as I doubt that anyone in that section has significant pitch variances from reed to reed, as they are all good players.
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2009-08-14 20:40
I will agree with Eddie, that you must play your reed "in tune". Every reed is going to have variances.
I do believe that in general, all else the same, that softer reeds will play slightly lower, and harder reeds will play slightly higher. Extremes in register or dynamics will increase this tendency.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
New and Used Buffet Clarinets
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