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Re: Effects of a softer/harder reed

Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2015-06-04 19:08

I don't have those issues. For me stiffer reeds suit someone who needs to put more physicality in the embouchure. I have admitted before that I wish I could get used to reeds that are a bit softer than a number four, but I am not comfortable with them (it doesn't effect the sound as long as you make the proper accomodations).

The proper accomodations are what you do to balance out the amount of air you need for a certain note (in a certain octave, at a certain dynamic) vs. the amount of embouchure control you need for that certain note.

My guess is that you "squeeze" or "bite" the reed a bit more closed when it is pliable enough. Harder reeds resist the "squeezing," so they compensate for this tendency.

As I said, I use harder reeds but I am comfortable "pushing against" the reed more often and cannot break myself of this habit.

Perhaps double lip embouchure would be a good aid to keeping the whole system more calm.

..................Paul Aviles

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