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RE: reeds

Author: Ralph Katz
Date: 2001-04-05 17:49

If you play 4-hour Klez weddings regularly, yes you will HAVE to make changes. You will have to change in order to keep your lip, teeth, jaws, and hands healthy for the rest of your life. This is different from a lot of other types of playing you have become accustomed to. Initially you look at flexibility, but you are the Electric Guitar of the Klezmer Band and have to play a LOT. Unless you adapt, you can really screw yourself up. There ARE people who can play long klez jobs with a 5RV and #5 reeds, but they must be made of different stuff than me. I use a 5RV Lyre and/or Borbeck 11 or 13, depending on a lot of things - essentially the same mouthpiece I use for any kind of playing. This will be comparable to what you use. I end up with the Lyre most of the time, although for specific applications my Borbeck 13 has a pickup. Strengths 2-1/2 or 3 seem to work for me. Brands should not be a big issue, unless you are one of those people who can only play on <substitute-any-name-here>. I carry an assortment of several brands in varying degrees of breakin condition and spend a little time picking a couple good ones before each gig. A couple of years ago I got 20 weddings out of a synthetic reed: I don't really care for the sound it gave, but after that much usage, who can complain? I also have done a lot of work with Alexander Technique - posture issues can be really key to your survival.

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