why and how does reed affect sound?
kymarto
ligatures and coatings of saxes and mpcs. affect sound, but nobody talks
about reeds. They don't have any internal dimensions, and are ostensibly
just vibrating air-column exciters. But we all know that each reed produces
its own characteristic sound, as much as a mouthpiece or sax does.
So what is the deal? How does a thin piece of cane slapping against a tip
rail affect the sound so much?
Reeds must have complex vibrational modes that affect the air column
starting at the tip of the mpc. Or what? Anybody have any ideas or know of
research on the subject?
I'd love to know...
--
Toby
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Riff 251
I've been playing a variety of reeds lately and recording myself to listen for
differences. What I've observed so far is no earth shaking news. Basically,
the harder the reed, the darker the sound. Conversely, the softer the reed, the
brighter the sound.
This is not to say that your basic core sound changes. I still basically sound
the same no matter what reed I play. The softer ones just add a little bit of
edge and brightness to my basic tone.
The odd thing about it is that different reeds really feel different to the
player and the difference the player hears in his own head seems much
exagerated compared to the sound that actually projects to the audience. My
little recording experiment seems to be confirming what I've thought for a long
time now. Reeds don't change your sound so much as they change the players
perception of how he sounds.
Of course it's important to feel comfortable with the reed you're playing on,
but I can pretty much get the same sound out of my horn regardless what reed I
use. The differences in brightness and darkness are subtle. It seems much more
important to find a reed that you can blow on with ease and still get good
response from your horn.
I've found such reeds among many brands and strengths. Java 2-1/2 or 3, Jazz
Select 3S, Hemke 2-1/2 or 3, Platicover 2-1/2, Fibracell Med and MedSoft, Rico
Royal 3 etc., all have supplied reeds that feel great to play on and allow me
to get the sound(feel) I like.
Riff
Eric Spaulding
the rico royal 3. I moved down a half size when I got my new
Lamberson but I am usign the 3's again and they are great. The
Rico Jazz Select 3S's worked well on my Link, and am awaiting a
shipment of them. Havne't tried the Hemke's, though...
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Roberto Delpiano
Riff 251 wrote:
Nice post, Riff, and enlightening.
I would add that I noticed, when I have to break in a new or not so good reed, that
I have a tendency to modify my way of playing to get THAT SOUND. The one I think is
good.
So if I play a stuffy reed for a while, and then I go for a brighter one, right
after the change (2 minutes?) I have a tendency to play too bright, and then,
little by little things go in place.
Same thing (but with more effort) in a reverse situation.
Have to record myself too, one of these days, to check out if there is a real
actual difference outside of my head.
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____________ ROBERTO DELPIANO
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______________________ http://www.delpiano.com