Author: Oboe Craig
Date: 2011-11-04 14:31
Hi Susan,
I think its possible to use a slight range of reed pitch, say +- 3 htz, in most situations provided a good A440 is at least used as the standard.
And this tendency in flat pitch needs to happen for a really 'true' and minimal playing embouchure. (no biting) I'd suggest still having a true c crow as much as possible.
Then a slight inward pressure may raise the pitch when playing, but care must be used to avoid any biting.
On my fresher reeds, I have learned to accept the slightly lower pitch, and prefer to slip the blades a little to raise the pitch, then have the luxury to reverse the slip once the reed is playing up to pitch.
That is a practical accommodation. But I think +_ 5 htz , is too far out not to cause biting.
The biting is the real enemy. Most people playing sharp are biting flat reeds. It causes fatigue and an assortment of progressive problems.
When I heard John Mack say he preferred a slightly high pitch over a low one so he could relax down onto the pitch it made me really rethink many things about my reeds. I went to 46-46.5 mm staples, and learned to accept reeds shorter than 69 -70mm.
That last was a very big change for me, but really paid off in better pitch, easier response, improved endurance. It was huge.
However, if other sections are playing sharp (or flat), and I mean more than +- 5 htz, and I encounter the +20 folks a lot, then its time to ask for a retune.
Those sharp flutes especially work against the entire ensemble. Sharp is a dictator, making everyone else wrong or forcing them into bad habits.
Otherwise, clipping the tip a very small amount and re-thinning the extreme tip should be able to solve for a +-2-3 htz pitch need.
Post Edited (2011-11-04 14:32)
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