Author: Micke Isotalo ★2017
Date: 2021-03-27 15:21
In my simple mind and as I understand it, the Behn "more sound, less effort"-philosophy is all about just one thing - which is reed strength. So the claim is simply that players in general would get a "better" sound with less reed strength (that is, mainly a clearer sound with less buzz, hissing, "airiness" and similar qualities usually associated with harder reeds).
Since we all know that harder reeds requires both increased embouchure pressure as well as more "blowing power", the "less effort" coming from softer reeds is just a "bonus" - and thus not a goal in itself.
I, and as I understand also many others on this board, have been former "biters" using unnecessary hard reeds that then needed to be clamped down for focus and clarity. When I finally abandoned the biting concept, with accordingly reduced reed strength, and also changed from a vertical to a circularly oriented embouchure (with my lips pressing like a rubber band all around the mouthpiece, instead of mainly just my jaw pressing against my upper teeth) my sound indeed got better. On my clarinets I also got better intonation, which is a bit strange, but that was the case. And yes, I would also say that I'm definitely using less "effort" now.
My interest in the Behn mouthpieces stems from an assumption that they may be kind of "optimized" for less reed strength, compared to what other mouthpieces may be.
That said, I may still not be a complete "Behn convert". Personally and at least currently, I would not take the reduced reed strength quite as far as I understand that Brad may me suggesting. While a softer reed undoubtedly sounds clearer and "better" at softer dynamics, there is also a threshold at going up in both dynamics and to higher notes when the sound gets what I perceive as "thin" - which can be avoided with a bit stronger reeds.
Post Edited (2021-03-27 19:40)
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The Clarinet BBoard
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