 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Trevor M
Date: 2012-02-03 09:18
I've been impressed by the Ridenour reed system's ability to turn some bad and mediocre reeds into fairly playable ones. Thinking it would be a boon to some of my students, I've been cautiously trying to adjust some of their reeds in lessons- results: inconclusive. Some think there's an improvement, others seem to detect no change.
It's really hard to diagnose a reed without playing it. I perform the whole operation based on questionable feedback, almost certainly erring on the side of too little adjustment because I hate to spoil the few reeds they have.
So do y'all try to work on your students' reeds? Do you *play* your students' reeds? (With some of these kids, my immune system gives a little shiver at the thought.)
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Author: MarlboroughMan
Date: 2012-02-03 11:47
This is one of those topics that gets heated discussion on this board. My opinion is suitably nebulous:
I've never played nor adjusted a student's reeds, but had a teacher in college who was a whiz at reed adjustment (and crafting). I'm grateful that he took the time to do so when I really needed help.
These days I just recommend Legere. Younger students can get a much more consistent approach to the instrument with them, taking out a huge variable. I even start my own kids on Legere.
(Sort of side-steps your questin in a way, but hope it helps).
Eric
******************************
The Jazz Clarinet
http://thejazzclarinet.blogspot.com/
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Author: johng ★2017
Date: 2012-02-03 13:25
I adjust my student's reeds sometimes, but never play on them. Catching a potentially serious illness early in my career put a stop to that dangerous practice. I also use Ridenour's methods and encourage my advanced students to get their own sanding blocks, etc. For beginners I will try to make some adjustment if they are really struggling since a small improvement in balance can make a difference. Even they can do the side-to-side test. They may not be able to express a difference from one side to the other, but I can usually hear it in the sound and make an appropriate (very small) adjustment. I ask them to wipe the moisture from the reed before placing it on the glass, but I still have to touch some sloppy reeds - but that is where the little bottle of hand disinfectant comes in!
John Gibson, Founder of JB Linear Music, www.music4woodwinds.com
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Author: kimber
Date: 2012-02-03 17:28
As an adult learner, I started with a teacher who never adjusted reeds or even played out of my horn (not even with their mouthpiece.) Problems with embouchure and notes went relatively unfixed. He lasted about 4 months.
My second teacher immediately tried my set-up to better understand the whats/whys of how I was playing. Over several weeks she had me trying several mouthpieces she had around, several reeds types and strengths she had around, etc, to find the best set-up for me. During a regular lesson, if I had a note or sequence that didn't speak as desired and I just couldn't get it to come out, she would always play on my set-up to make sure 'it could be done.' It was also took away the 'your pro horn just works better than mine can' excuse. By being able to replicate the sound I was getting, she was able to give more specific advice to correct it. She did adjust reeds (sanding and tip clipping) as well as she would be able to tell me they were getting worn out or needed more breaking in (I didn't know the difference yet.)
Usually would dip the reed (or mouthpiece) in diluted peroxide. We all transmit a far wider range and number of germs into our system everytime we rub our eyes.
As a student - it was very beneficial to have that expert instruction on reeds, etc. I am capable of reading the fingering charts/music myself, but the instrument and reed management needs mentoring too.
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2012-02-03 21:14
As an oboist, my teachers have always tried my reeds, especially once I started making them in high school. Even now, in a doctorate program, my teachers try my setup (both on clarinet and oboe). I do warn them if I've been sick though.
I also use the peroxide method, non-diluted. When I make oboe reeds for my students, I let them soak in peroxide for a few minutes, until it stops bubbling out the other end of the reed, and sometimes even do that to my reeds to put some life back in them. I used to carry around a travel sized mouthwash bottle with peroxide in it to put into a shot glass or medicine bottle to soak my reeds.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Ed Palanker
Date: 2012-02-03 22:04
I always adjust my studets reeds when needed and show them what I'm doing and why. I always play them first to determine what's wrong with the reed or it's about them. I do ask them if they have a cold first, won't play it if they do or just had one. When I taught young students, no more, I would take the reed off first to see if the MP was clean before playing it. I was grossed out once, never again. ESP eddiesclainet.com
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Author: Grabnerwg
Date: 2012-02-04 01:41
I'm with Eddie on this one. I never play on a students set up without disinfecting it. I've seen way too much gross stuff in mouthpieces in my lifetime.
I do adjust students reeds if it sounds like they have a promising reed but it has a noticeable problem. I find most of my younger students have little or no interest in reed work, they just want the reeds to play.
Walter Grabner
www.clarinetxpress.com
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Author: Claire Annette
Date: 2012-02-04 16:13
Yes and no.
Yes, I adjust my students' reeds after they have played in all registers--tongued and slurred--and after they have done Ridenour's side to side roll test. I show them what I'm doing and tell them why. I also provide them with the tools to make their own adjustments after I've taught them what to do. I only adjust in minute increments.
No, I don't play on my students' reeds or mouthpieces. My own clarinet teacher from college days, however, played on my clarinet in every lesson. He used Lavoris mouthwash before each lesson and my reeds always tasted good after he played them!
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Author: davyd
Date: 2012-02-04 21:21
My teacher when I was in high school started each lesson by picking, testing, and adjusting my reed for me, largely without explanation. (Back then, we were less concerned about spreading or getting germs.) I suppose that was helpful, as I sounded better in my lesson. But in hindsight, I would have liked to get more insight into what he was doing, and why. One's teacher isn't around for rehearsals and concerts.
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Author: kdk ★2017
Date: 2012-02-04 22:36
I think if you're going to adjust your students' reeds, you need to explain what you're doing. Having a good, well-adjusted reed for the lesson isn't much help even when the student is practicing at home between lessons, never mind concerts and rehearsals. When the demands of the musical material are high, poor reeds can lead either to frustration or to bad compensatory habits.
One question is whether or not the student is playing at a level at which he can tell a good reed from a bad one and can learn what adjustments are needed on his own. Advanced high school or college students can be expected to have some idea of what they're looking for in a reed. Teaching them to make the adjustments can be liberating both for them and (eventually) for the teacher.
Many younger students don't pay attention to the reed or how it feels. For these students, it's an uphill climb just to get them to know whether a reed "works" or doesn't and to try a different one if the first one doesn't "work." They try to play on whatever reed they last left on their mouthpieces. For these students I generally limit myself to telling them when the sound is stuffy or the reed sounds unresponsive and needs to be replaced. Then I have them try as many different reeds, new from a box if they have have fresh reeds with them or from the reeds I keep on hand for the purpose when they don't have their own, as necessary to find one that plays with a full sound and easy response. It usually only takes one or two because they are usually using reeds that are a strength too soft and nearly any new reed will vibrate for them. There's not much point in adjusting reeds for these students - the reed I adjust will either change or break long before the next lesson, and they don't have a clear enough idea of what they want to learn to make their own reed adjustments.
With older, more advanced students I first ask them if they can clean the sound and response up by listening and adjusting their air and embouchure. Sometimes those playing adjustments are enough, and we go on from there. If the reed still sounds like playing it is a struggle, I do try it myself and then either adjust it, if it seems close to being usable, or replace it with something more responsive if it isn't.
My teachers through high school and college always played on my setup to diagnose problems and always made adjustments to my reeds. Fortunately, the three teachers I studied with from high school through my graduate degree at Temple University, explained what they were doing, although I didn't always completely understand the explanations at the time, sometimes not for many years afterward.
Over the past yew years, I've used a germicide spray both before and after playing on students' equipment. But, I have to say that none of my teachers ever did that, and two are still living and in good health, while the oldest of the three lived into his eighties and died of leukemia, not of anything transmissible. Some communication is needed, though, and I don't play on a student's equipment if either of us is actively sick.
Karl
Post Edited (2012-02-05 03:47)
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