Is Eb4 (including the resonance key) unstable, especially in dynamic taper? If so, the rails in the middle third of the reed are too thick in proportion to the spine. D4 is affected too, although not as much. Work in very small increments to avoid over scraping. Integrate the scrape with the overall rail taper. […]
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Short Eb3/F4 Test
Is short Eb3 sharp or unstable? Is F4 also flat? There is too much cane in the back third of the channels. Refine the tapers. Be very careful not to weaken the reed too much. Result of These Steps: weaker, flatter, less responsive, more resistant
Continue readingMore TagBb3 False Fingering Test
Does Bb3 crack when you don’t use the speaker (flicking) key? If so, refine the tapers in this area according to desired intonation and resistance. The taper from the spine to the rails should be straight, not rounded. Be very careful not to weaken the reed too much. Is the difference in intonation between […]
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Does Bb2 take too much embouchure to play comfortably in tune? If so, the reed is weak. Round the first wire (and the second, if necessary). Result of These Steps: more stable, sharper, less responsive, more resistant
Continue readingMore TagB2 Slurred to B1 Test
With the whisper key lock down, does a mezzoforte slur from B2 down to B1 crack or keep the upper harmonic? If so, the back of the reed is too weak in comparison to the front. Work here: Result of These Steps: more stable, seems stronger
Continue readingMore TagA3 Speaker Key Test
Play A3 with the normal fingering and then add and hold down the speaker (flicking) key. Is the difference in intonation unmanageably severe? Things to check: The evenness of tapers from critical point to corners of the tip The definition of the thumbnail on these diagonal lines: Result of These Steps: weaker, flatter, more […]
Continue readingMore TagF#3 a niente Test
Play F#3 and taper to a niente (gradually fading to nothing) while remaining in tune. Try rolling out the embouchure ever so slightly to pp/ppp to extend the taper even further. If the reed goes sharp easily, cuts out at an unacceptable dynamic, or loses resonance and substance of tone, define thumbnail and taper […]
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