[Leica] IMG: Tooting my own horn

[pklein at threshinc.com (Peter Klein)]

Herb: I used to make my own reeds, but stopped doing so years ago due to 
lack of time. Now that I (supposedly) have more time, I plan to make 
some again and see whether it's worth it for me. I doubt I will do the 
initial thickness profile of the reeds by hand any more--that way lies 
madness. Several good reedmakers and professional players have invested 
in custom made or CNC machinery which performs the most time-consuming 
parts of the process, and sell cane that has has already been shaped and 
profiled, and is ready to fold over, form and finish.

There is a tradeoff in terms of time vs. money, and in how good one's 
own skill is vs. the commercial reedmaker's. And also how close you 
yourself can get to a reed that sounds like what you want to sound like, 
vs. a ready-made reed that is close enough that you can adapt.

--Peter

 > Wonderful instrument. Do you buy finished reeds or do you make your 
own. I
 > played oboe for some years, so I?m curious.
 >
 > Herbert Kanner
 > kanner at acm.org
 > 650-326-8204
 >
 > Question authority and the authorities will question you.
 >
 >
 >
 >
 > On Mar 25, 2014, at 12:08 AM, Peter Klein wrote:
 >
 > > The Rain City Symphony woodwind section, taken by the son of one of 
our
 > > orchestra members. I'm the guy playing bassoon sitting just to the 
right
 > > of the female clarinetist in the center in the picture.
 > > <https://www.flickr.com/photos/24844563 at N04/13398311275/>
 > >
 > >
 > > --Peter, speaking softly but carrying a big stick.
 > >