Author: GBK
Date: 2009-11-23 04:28
Gonzalez reeds must be broken in very slowly. It will take a number of days (at least 5 or more) to find out exactly what you have, and what adjustments (if any) are needed. As tempting as it may be, do not make any adjustments until this initial period is over and the reed has finally stabilized. You will be surprised in the difference between your initial test on Day 1 and when the break in period is completed on Days 5 -7.
Do not play on the reeds too long during the first week. A few minutes on the first day and increase by 5 minutes each day after that for the remainder of the week.
However, the most common mistake that I find is that clarinetists are initially playing the wrong strength reed. The reed should play at approximately the correct strength on FIRST TRIAL out of the box. If you have to appreciably remove a good amount of cane to make the reed play, there is a good chance you are also changing the basic profile, design and template of the reed. Thus after all the carpentry, it no longer resembles a Gonzalez reed.
After Day 7, I smooth the back of the reed to insure that it is perfectly flat. I use the back of the reed knife, which seems to just remove any high spots. Do not go all the way to the tip - stop approximately 1/2" before.
The only other adjustments which I usually make are a slight amount of balancing, after testing both sides of the reed. I also seem to find that slightly bringing down the right rail (for me) at about the 1/2" point down from the tip adds a bit more response. As everyone's mouthpieces are faced differently, experiment to see if a slight change to the right rail, or left rail (or both, or neither) works for you.
As to sealing the vamp or the underside, that is strictly a personal matter, but for me, simply holding the reed between 2 pieces of cigarette paper and squeezing the excess water - going from butt to tip after each playing - accomplishes the same effect as intentionally sealing the reed.
Gonzalez reeds have a very long playing life due to the high quality cane and tightly packed fibers. Slow break in will help to prolong your reeds.
Again... Let the reeds stabilize.
**Any reed work before the first week (IMO) is premature**.
After the break in period is completed, and you have made any necessary adjustments, during the 2nd week (the first week of full playing) I continue to check the underside of the reed for any possible swelling or high spots. Again, I use the back of the reed knife to correct this, if necessary.
Finally, I must stress - do not over play the reeds in the initial break in period. A few minutes each day is more than sufficient. Also, do not make any knife or sandpaper adjustments until the reeds have finally stabilized. I place all 10 reeds on a plate of glass to let them dry each day, changing the "ranking" of which play the best each day. Often a reed which starts at #10, becomes #1 by the end of the week.
...GBK
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