A study and comparison of four prominent clarinet reed-making methods.

Abstract

The individuals chosen, and the reed making method that they represent are: Stanley Hasty, former Principal Clarinet of the Rochester Philharmonic and Professor Emeritus of the Eastman School of Music, uses a hand made method that he developed and taught at Eastman; Christopher Sereque, Principal Clarinet of the Seattle Symphony, uses the reed making machine the REEDUAL; Daniel Gilbert, Second Clarinet of the Cleveland Symphony and Professor of Clarinet at Oberlin Conservatory, uses the reed making machine the BKM 4; and Robert DiLutis, Second Clarinet of the Rochester Philharmonic, uses a reed making machine that he invented called "The Reed Machine."

The first chapter details the need for the study and the interview method used. The second chapter reviews important background research in the form of published books and articles. The next four chapters detail the reed making methods of the interviewees. The seventh chapter summarizes these four methods and the last chapter details the reed making method of the author. There is a bibliography, and an appendix that lists retailers for equipment and supplies.

The purpose of this study is to document and compare the clarinet reed making methods of four prominent professional clarinetists. This study is intended to give critical insight and needed specificity to a process that often seems mysterious and confusing. The clarinetists that were chosen for this study represent four diverse methods of reed making; therefore, a comparison of these methods will give greater insight into the process.