Author: DrewSorensenMusic
Date: 2013-02-13 01:48
Thank you Jonathan and Robert,
I will try sharpening the knife and thinning the tip as much as possible. I let the reed rest after I worked on it for a while. Will see how it plays tomorrow and continue on. You have confirmed my assessment, and further pinpointed the exact areas for me to work on.
In regards to using multiple shapes while making reeds, I agree with you that it is probably best to stick with one shape. To defend why I use multiple shapes, I am approaching reed making with the different shapes just like I am trying different scrape techniques. I wanted to see how the different shapes reacted to my tying process, my scraping technique, ect... I feel I have learned a lot by doing this. I many not understand why these things are happening quite yet, but here are some observations that I've noticed about the different shapes:
The shapes I have are Ruth, Samson +3, Brannen X, Mack-Peiffer:
1. The Brannen X for some reason flares away at the sides (probably a gouge problem, but the other shapes do not do this), and it always takes the longest to come back to form after it has been dry. I love the low end of this shape, and it will hopefully teach me how to create a reed with a good high end. I feel if you can get good high notes on a Brannen X, you can most certainly get good high notes on a thinner shape.
2. The Ruth shape has a lovely tone, but I cannot control it yet. I have learned a lot in the last 10 reeds I've made, and have not approached a Ruth shape with the new technique that has been working for me. I am anxious to hear how this reed responds to the new scrape.
3. Samson +3 is my most consistent shape. It seems that even if I mess it up, I can fix it, and it's not terrible even when it's not perfect. It seems to like my staples, and is the quickest to come to playing condition from dry. This (or a close shape to it) will probably be the shape of my future. I'm not a good oboe reed maker, and I'm still getting playable reeds out of them currently. As a multi-instrumentalist, the fact that they come to playing condition quickest is very important.
There are probably more than shape factors in the above, but still, all factors between the three have been kept relatively the same. I guess the Samson +3 just gets me. I understand why one should to stick with one shape, and after I get through this batch of cane, I will probably heed this advice. I hope the above is at least a good argument for my case.
Drew S.
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