Reed Design/Adjustment 1

Subject guarantor:

Jiří HLAVÁČ, Vlastimil MAREŠ

Name of lecturer(s):

Jiří HLAVÁČ, Vlastimil MAREŠ

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

This course provides students with all practical and teaching skills required for producing or modifying clarinet reeds. The student is introduced to the tools for reed modification and their use. It is possible to use only one type of knife but it is better and easier for modification to use various types and forms of knives or even the finest sandpaper and horsetail. The structure of wood is explained in relation to tone quality. Wood and its structure, for sound and tone quality, is the most important factor. Each woold has its own specific structure which arises in the wood growth. Some woods are denser shots and others less. Somre are more mature or dryer than others. This all plays an important role for the durability of the reed, its playing and related modifications. Ease of clarinet play depends in large part on the wood parameters the reed has. Because of all these attributes an individual approach to each reed and its modifcations is necessary. This the course content.

Mode of study:

Playback of students from the clarinet classes with reeds they adjusted themselves.

Prerequisites and co-requisites:

Reed adjustments according to style specifics, high tone sound flexibilty, extreme dynamic and double-staccato.

Recommended optional programme components:

None

Course contents:

This course provides the student with all the practical and methodological skills required for making or adjusting clarinet reeds. The student is introduced to the equipment for adjusting reeds and their use. Thought it is possible to use one type of knife, it is better and easier for adjustments to use various shapes and types of knives or even the softest of sandpapers and horsetail. In this course the structure of wood is explained in relation to tone quality. Wood and its structure is the most important factor in sound and tone quality. Each wood has its own specific structure which arises in the growth of the stems. Some woods are denser annual shoots and others thinner. Some are more mature or drier than others. This all plays an important role in the durability of the reed and its playing that for which it was modified. Ease of play on the clarinet is dependent, to a great extent, on the wood parameters which the reed has. For all these attributes, individual approaches to each reed and its modifications is necessary.

Recommended or required reading:

Antonín Doležal: Klarinetový tón a prostředky k jeho vytváření

Planned learning activities and teaching methods:

Recordings of clarinet class students with reeds they made.

Assessment methods and criteria:

Moderation of reeds for particulars of styles, flexibility in higher tones, extreme dynamics and double staccato.

Course web page:

http://www.hamu.cz/katedry/katedra-dechovych-nastroju

Note:

None

Schedule for winter semester 2013/2014:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

Schedule for summer semester 2013/2014:

The schedule has not yet been prepared

The subject is a part of the following study plans:

• Obor Klarinet (Bc) (optional subject)