Author: d-oboe
Date: 2006-12-03 03:00
What I mean is that a reed that satisfies all requirements (pitch, response, stability) will tend to have better intonation, if it is longer.
I don't just mean the length alone, because if the tip is too long for the reed...then of course high notes will be off...what I mean is that a reed that is completely finished at a longer length has a few features that a too-short reed doesn't:
-more "natural" response: the reed's tie-on length is where the reed naturally vibrates the most, and with each clip more and more cane has to be removed to ensure proper response...which means that
-more cane can be left on a longer reed: which gives the reed more structure, and allows for greater dynamic potential, gives a more secure opening, and the reed will last longer.
The only "downside" is that the reed can't be made by relying on crow alone. It requires testing quite early on in the process to determine scraping procedures.
To the "intonation" thing. It's hard to describe...it's not pitch...it's intonation. The reeds just sound more in tune. (maybe I should just say reeds that are not short?) A short reed, even if it crows in tune, and seems to play at 440 easily enough, always has a bizarre quality to it - it becomes impossible to blend with other players.
I know this is true by the fact I can often play easily in tune with other members of the orchestra (clarinet, flute, violin etc) better than I can play in tune with the other oboists in my section, all who play on short reeds. (average 68mm)
|
|
The Oboe BBoard
.jpg){kind=small}
