Tom Martin and Vytas Baksys Clarinet concert Oct 25, 2009

Tom Martin and Vytas Baksys will be giving a concert on Sunday, Oct 25, 2009 in Brookline. The program includes:
Brahms - Sonata in F minor, Vaughn Williams - Six Studies on English Folk Songs, various short pieces by Ravel, Schmitt, and Tailleferre.

Plus some Jazz too.

Here's the link with the info. Scroll down:http://www.redeemerchestnuthill.org/

Links for purchasing clarinet reeds

Here are my current recommendations for clarinet reeds. Please read my previous post about my recent and ongoing reed/mouthpiece experiment.
http://lizleeheyclarinet.blogspot.com/2009/10/my-recent-experiment-with-clarinet.html

I have found the best prices at Weiner Music. If you find a better price somewhere else, let me know!

Be sure to select the correct strength reed!

Rico Reserve Classic . I have found that these run about the same in strength as the Traditional Vandoren.
http://shop.weinermusic.com/RICO-RESERVE-CLASSIC-Bb-CLARINET-REEDS/productinfo/RRES1C/

Rico Grand Concert Select Traditional. I have found that these run softer in strength than Vandoren Traditional. So you may want to order a half strength higher than what you used in Vandoren Traditional.
http://shop.weinermusic.com/GRAND-Bb-CL-GRAND-CONCERT-TRADITIONAL-BLANK-REEDS-10_BOX/productinfo/RCS1/

Vandoren V12. I'm not sure about these yet. I'm still experimenting. Several clarinetists have said that these are better than the Traditional Vandoren.
http://shop.weinermusic.com/VANDOREN-V12-Bb-CLARINET-REEDS-10-PER-BOX/productinfo/RV1V12/

Legere synthetic . I tried these again this summer and did not like them, but go ahead and try for yourself! Many people play these. There are a few different cuts - the Signature being the newest and recommended by Larry Combs of Chicago. They have a $ back guarantee - which is real because I sent mine back and got a refund!
http://shop.weinermusic.com/LEGERE-SYNTHETIC-SIGNATURE-BB-CLARINET-REED-1-REED/productinfo/RLG1SG/

Try anything and let me know your results!

My recent experiment with clarinet reeds

I'm in the process of testing several different brands of reeds. I had been using Vandoren Traditional reeds for several years until they changed the packaging. Ever since I started using the reeds in the new packaging, I noticed a big difference in the quality of the reeds. And it wasn't just a few boxes. I couldn't find the center of the sound anymore and I wasn't sure if it was the reeds, the mouthpiece, or me.

So, I experimented with 6 new mouthpieces (Lomax), Vandoren Traditional, V12 and Rue Lepic 56 (all new packaging) as well as the new Rico Reserve Classic and Rico Grand Concert Select. I did a careful, systematic comparison. To make a long story short, my conclusion is that the Vandoren Traditional reeds have been negatively affected by the new packaging.

Right now, I have found the new Rico Reserve Classic to be good - much better than Trad. Vandoren. And actually the Grand Concert Select are also better, though not as good as the Reserve Classic. The Rico Reserve Classic run about the same in strength as the Vandoren Traditional. The Grand Concert Select run softer in comparison to the Vandoren Traditional.

However, I am going to continue my experiment with more Rico Reserve Classic and Vandoren V12s.

Also, thinking back on all of this, I began to notice several months ago that several of my students who usually have very nice sounds were not sounding as good as they had been. I didn't put 2+2 together until recently and I have discussed it with some students who are also starting to notice the difference in the new packaging . It seems that the reeds get water-logged very quickly and stay that way. The sound is fuzzy and tubby and unfocused - not that pretty, sweet "oo" that we used to get.

I've discussed the issue of the new packaging of the Vandorens with several clarinet players and have gotten varying responses. There is a Facebook group set up to petition Vandoren to change the packaging. http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=vandoren+petition&init=quick#/group.php?gid=57066958030&ref=search&sid=100000213297696.2964259076..1

I will include links for purchasing reeds in the next post.

Clarinet Day in Boston on October 18, 2009

Boston Conservatory will be hosting Clarinet day on October 18, 2009.

Here is the link with the info:
http://www.bostonconservatory.edu/s/940/TwoColnrot.aspx?sid=940&gid=1&pgid=1311

Summer Clarinet Lessons

Summer Clarinet Lessons begin June 15, 2009.

Scheduling for summer lessons is flexible to accommodate vacations and camps.

Email me for more info:
liz@elizabethleehey.com

Student Recital June 13, 2009

Saturday, June 13, 2009 2:00pm
St. Mark's Episcopal Church
Foxborough, MA

Free Admission! Invite your family and friends!

Rehearsals with accompanist will be scheduled prior to the recital from 1:00 - 2:00 at the church.


Directions to St. Mark's

Recording of the clarinetist who played at the Inauguration

Here is a link to a radio broadcast of Anthony McGill, the clarinetist who played at the inauguration:
http://saintpaulsunday.publicradio.org/programs/570/

He is playing the Debussy Rhapsodie, Poulenc Sonata and Brahms Sonata No.2