Reed Design/Adjustmen 6

Subject guarantor:

Jiří HLAVÁČ, Vlastimil MAREŠ

Name of lecturer(s):

Jiří HLAVÁČ, Vlastimil MAREŠ

Learning outcomes of the course unit:

The clarinet with its multi-faceted application requires significant player abilities and skills. This course provides the student with all skills for managing good and quality reed modification. This course covers possible reed tip modification and the influence of those modification on tone.The tip of the reed plays a decisive role in setting tone, staccato, and double staccato. The other side of the reed has a decisive influence on the certainty of the sound of each dynamic, the security of tone in quick succession, etc. The profile curve of this side allows or prevents trouble-free playing. To modify this surface special devices are used which have an absolutely flat surface and are able to finely sand the reed. The principle is to ideally flatten or smooth out the other side of the reed. In these modifications all reed characteristics are changed, such as hardness, sound, color, etc. Therefore, it is important when finding errors in the flatness of the other side of the reed to start with modifications. The results of poor or extreme modifications are demonstrated. The issues are demonstrated in the entire spectrum of reed modification.

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:

The clarinet with its multi-faceted applications requires considerable skills and abilities. This course provides students with all abilities for managing good and quality reed modifications. This course covers the possible reed tip modifications and their influence on tone. The reed tip plays a decisive role in setting the tone, staccato and double staccato. The other side of the reed has a decisive influence on the response in all dynamics, security in tone produciton in quick notes, etc. The profile of the other side makes difficult or impossible faultless playing. To modify this surface special devices are used which have a completely flat surface and are able to gently sand the reed. The principle is to most ideally flatten or straighten out the other side of the reed. These modifications change all characteristics of the reed such as hardness, sound, color, etc. Therefore, it is necessary, in determining error in flatness of the other side of the reed, to begin modification. Subsequent bad or excessive modifications are graphically shown. All issues are demonstrated in the spectrum of all possible reed modifications.

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)