Reed blade measurements

1st WIRE UP

	Left Rail	Left Channel	Center	Right Channel	Right Rail
TIP	.004"	.004"	.008"	.008"	.005"
1/8"	.0065"	.009"	.016"	.012"	.006"
1/4"	.008"	.015"	.0205"	.016"	.009"
3/8"	.0095"	.0185"	.024"	.0185"	.0125"
1/2"	.011"	.021"	.027"	.0205"	.015"
5/8"	.020"	.0235"	.0285"	.0215"	.018"
3/4"	.0235"	.026"	.030"	.023"	.0205"
7/8"	.027"	.0275"	.031"	.026"	.0245"
1"	.030"	.032"	.034"	.031"	.0305"

1st WIRE DOWN

	Left Rail	Left Channel	Center	Right Channel	Right Rail
TIP	.005"	.006"	.009"	.007"	.005"
1/8"	.007"	.011"	.016"	.0115"	.006"
1/4"	.009"	.015"	.020"	.016"	.010"
3/8"	.013"	.020"	.0235"	.020"	.012"
1/2"	.015"	.022"	.027"	.021"	.0145"
5/8"	.017"	.023"	.029"	.023"	.020"
3/4"	.019"	.023"	.030"	.023"	.023"
7/8"	.023"	.025"	.030"	.025"	.028"
1"	.030"	.030'	.034"	.030"	.035"

Reed Morgue again

In a previous post, I discussed the benefits of taking apart used reeds and measuring the blades. You can read about it here

What I didn't describe in the old post, was how to measure the blade. You can use a dial indicator to measure, but keep a few things in mind. Since the tip of the indicator is rounded, it's best to measure the gouged side of the blade, not the exterior. This is because the rounded tip will conform better to the curve of the gouge, especially in the back of the blade where the curve is greater.

To make the blade as flat as possible without cracking it, you'll need to soak the cane. If you're in a hurry, you can boil it. Flatten the blade out using a heavy object like a paperweight and apply some downward pressure. Even if you get a small crack or two, you can work around this. You could also chop off the tube to eliminate cracking.

Measure the blade at each 1/8" from tip to collar. Measurement must be as accurate as possible so the numbers you get will accurately reflect blade thickness at all points. Mark the spine first by finding the exact midpoint of the width of the tip and the midpoint of the width at the throat. Connect the centers with a line. Do the same for the channels and rails.

Van Hoesen Teaching, Part 3 -- Reading and Listening

David Van Hoesen was interested in the overall education of his students. He encouraged his students to seek out recordings of the best violinists, pianists, singers and orchestras. He believed that a fine bassoonist should also have knowledge of literature and art.

Here is his reading and listening list:

Van Hoesen Teaching, Part 2, Scales and Arpeggios

Below is David Van Hoesen's Scale and Arpeggio routine. The goal is to become familiar with the different scale patterns and chords in a particular key during a week's worth of practicing (one key per week). All exercises except the Broken Arpeggio are to be done with a metronome for evenness and speed.

Along with perfecting the technique, the focus should be on playing with a beautiful sound, good intonation and a musical sense in all registers.

The Arpeggios in Sequence are taken directly from a violin exercise by Carl Flesch.

A word about the Broken Arpeggio exercise. It is to be done slowly working for a beautiful, smooth connection between notes. Pay attention to embouchure, breath support and smooth, gentle fingers to achieve a smooth, expressive slur for each interval. This is a great exercise for breaking in new reeds as well!

Here is another version of this that may print more clearly. It is also available on my website. Scroll nearly to the bottom to find it.