Changing a Chinese Style (Larger Reed) to an American Style (Smaller Reed)

Name: Changing a Chinese Style (Larger Reed) to an American Style (Smaller Reed)
Uploaded: 2015-09-11T16:06:53-07:00
Duration: 408 s
Description: Demonstration of Reed Finishing with Tools

Demonstration of Reed Finishing with Tools

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This video has subtitles in English, it is mostly spoken in Chinese. The original transcript is available here. The video references this paper

The original transcript is available here. The videos discuss this paper.

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Transcript with Time Codes

00:00Introduction

Music: Dance of the Yao People, bassoon solo. Welcome. I am Terry Ewell. There are many different styles of bassoon reeds, each with its own strengths. You can study my article on reed finishing, A Pedagogy for Finishing Reeds, for more information. In this video I take a larger Chinese-style bassoon reed and change it into a smaller American-style reed.

01:19Observe the Measurements

First, observe the measurements. Notice the different apertures (tip openings). Notice the different blade thicknesses at the tip and the rails (sides).

02:00Placement of the Wires

Also see the different placement of the wires. First, I change the position of the first wire.

02:53New Collar Position

Second, I create a new collar with a knife and later with a file.

03:32Thin the Rails

Then I make the rails thinner with a file. Notice that I do not remove material in the center, or heart, of the reed.

04:13Adjust the Wires

Adjust the aperture (tip opening) by closing the first wire and opening the second wire.

04:50Cut the Tip

Then I cut the tip. Here I use scissors since I am traveling in China. At home I use clippers or a tip cutter.

05:42Further Refinements

Continue thinning with the file and the knife while balancing the sides. Then I make the wings thinner. Notice that I do not make the heart, or middle, thinner. At the end I make further adjustments so that the reed will respond quickly and play in tune. My article on reed finishing will help you with these issues. Thank you for watching.