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Re: Short vs long scrape

Author: RobinDesHautbois
Date: 2010-08-20 19:30

I wish the answer could be straight-forward.
Bottom line: will you keep buying reeds or will you be obliged to learn how to make them?

If you keep buying, then taking on American-style reeds will be good for you and will help you get better able to compare. You should try different reed styles from different makers frequently to re-assess what is really best for your evolving playing style and needs.
=> NOTE: I am a firm believer in a variety sound-qualities (tone colours), especially if your repertoire is vast (classical, jazz, celtic, carribbean, tango, etc.). Consequently, multiple reed descriptions are a good thing.

If you must learn to make them (I'm assuming you don't already do so), then whatever your teacher does is the law!!!! I am thoroughly pro European scrape, but a teacher (in person) who does American can help you in person fare more than I ever will with the best diagrams, measurements, explanations, math equations etc.!

If you already make your own, the same applies PLUS learning new techniques is always a good
thing: even if you end-up returning to your old techniques.

AS FOR SOUND AND TONE:
In my experience (and I did do American scrape for years) all styles can get any sound you want. The difference is mostly in how the reed interacts with your body makeup. For me, the springiness of French reeds is good for my loud-mouth! For tuning, the length of the reed, size of the staple, the shaper and how they interact with the individual instrument (not the brand) are more powerful factors than scraping styles.

This is why I say that whether you agree or disagree with your teacher (and/or influential players around you), this person is the master of your reed-making!

Robin Tropper
M.A.Sc., B.Mus., B.Ed.
http://RobinDesHautbois.blogspot.ca/music

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