As a completely no good clarinet player, brain damaged after many concussions I can't read music, I still love the sound of this instrument. When I found out about Mr.Ridenours ATG system I freaked out! Instead of one good reed out of a box I could make them all work and last so much longer. Pete Fountain was once asked if he had any advice for young musicians. If I am not mistaken his answer was play the f**king trumpet, I have spent $100,000 on reeds and I only had two that were good. This is really good stuff. Glad to have found your channel.
Watching again, have the latter demo tools (three of them and a special wedge mini) got a glass panel 17x15 on my desk that was a TV stand base and your instruction is just what I wanted to see. Started out the rerun with the "Wizard" then jumped forward right where I needed to be! Got my reeds, tools and following along testing periodically. More Fun stuff. (re-viewed a couple more of your offerings) Thanks P.S. I think I'll also forgo the rubber bands bit of a drag, wondered about future replacement so ... (your daughter's background noise lends a human aspect to you ...almost : ) (how do I block this guy he wonders)
Nice video! I’m fan of the ATG also. As a doubler, I just can’t devote as much time as this on my clarinet reeds and I gave up on Vandorens. Found D Addario reserve classic I can get up and running more quickly, and occasionally a couple others for immediate use kinds of situations. But the ATG works really well for me to get a reed working.
You're so lucky to have that little voice talking to you, a treasure you'll always ...treasure as have done for 46 years (my own kids) As for financing this tool? I have enough problem getting any reed to sound a note that is in tune. HA got to the appearance of you babe, Sooo touching for me. My son is in Au. with his son and daughter but my daughter is my daily bud on line and right in town with her two daughters and family when she needs me. Interesting the reed tools show that V shape the discussion of reeds have. Granted it's been 67 years since I've played my clarinet so maybe I'll need a little practice before fine tuning my reeds? Still, I'll use a piece of glass and screw around with them aimlessly having lots of sandpaper grades on hand. Thanks for another fun interlude...
That kid knocks me out with every word she says and every expression on her face. Every time I use the ATG (particularly if I am fixing a reed to play on public) I hear the little voice…” daddy can I do that?” It kills me!
Just ordered the ATG using you link. I have been messing up with reed geek. Maybe I will do better with this....the Wizard seems like a good idea but I will save up for it.
Copied from the 'Reed Geek' video. I discovered a different way to test balance than my friend and former student Tom R does it. Continuous blowing, rolling side to side from the normal playing position, can discover more about the imbalance than once on each side. Listen to the color of the sound while rolling. One side may be duller than the other, or both sides may be equally dull. If both sides sound the same, take the same off each side. If both dull sides don't sound the same, take a bit more off the duller (up) side until they sound the same. Then take more until the sound doesn't change. When there is no dulling or brightening rolling back and forth, the sound will have more 'ring'. The reed is best when there is no change in the sound color while rolling. In a pinch when you can't fix the reed, change the reed position by shifting the more dull (up) side toward the center of the mouthpiece.
Great video brother thanks but I was wondering if you burnish the back side of the reed? Or for that matter do you do anything to the back of reed?Thanks again!🙏🙏🙏
I wouldn't say that I burnish the back of the reed. Maybe sometimes I do. If it's warped and needs to be flattened out, it's hard to avoid doing that. Lately, I have been using the reedgeek to flatten the backs of the reeds when need be. When I get the backs of my reeds too polished, the water tends to bead up on them and I get noise in my sound because of the water on the reed,. The reeds can play very well when polished on the back (it also stabilizes them a bit). In any case, my answer is yes or no and sometimes I wish I hadn't and sometimes I think I should do it more....how is that for a terrible answer:)?
Very helpful, thanks! Two questions: 1.) Does the Reed Wizard work on saxophone reeds as well? 2.) I notice your ATG technique for working on the sides is a little different than Tom Ridenour's; if so, why? Thanks again.
I can tell you this....Ben Armato claims the reed wizard is for all reeds including saxophone. I have not done extensive testing to check that out and offer a personal perspective. If my technique is a little different than Tom Ridenour is not on purpose. I have found that the atg works so generally on the reeds that there is a pretty wide margin of error with it. I love that about the atg
I think that's a great question. If I may, I will re-state it to "why is the quality control so shoddy?" First of all, I have to acknowledge that reed companies may not agree with the measurements that Ben Armato uses. Beyond that - even if they do - there are issues of cane stability. It is possible that the reeds are exactly right when leaving the factory and change shape in transit or the first time they hit water or saliva. It could be that the cane is not aged as long as it should be, They may be stored inappropriately at the retailer. I did hear that Vandoren started to individually wrap the reeds in plastic because of how they saw the reed at a couple of the major sellers right above heaters. Lastly, I also have to acknowledge that I have never made, packaged, transported across the globe, or sold reeds - perhaps there is no avoiding this issue because it is so deeply baked into the process. Those are my ideas about it....the short answer would be "I dunno" - however, conjecture is a lot more fun:) Thanks for watching and commenting!
@@mddale I learned that Vandoren makes a specific trimmer for each cut of reed they make. I guess it has been out for years, but I just learned of it last December. It has a shaper to match exactly with (for example) a V12. It’s hyper specific and I would have to get another if I switched to another cut, but it worked great if I go to far with the ATG.
I am not sure what you mean. This is a video about how to work on reeds. I don’t sell reeds. There are Amazon links in the description, but any transaction is between you and Amazon
I dunno man. It looks like you've got a case of orange box Rico reeds on the shelf. You can't good reeds from bad cane. Seems the credibility is pretty strained from the get go. Giving you the benefit of the doubt though....
Ok, not bad. You might want to check out Tom's video from last few years on French Embouchure where he deals with some of the finer points like balancing the reed front to back. It helped me take my game up another level with the ATG and other tools.
@@whoitisnot interesting perspective. I am not sure what type of reed you are used to schools giving to band students for free. While the school I teach at is wonderful, there is not the budget to hand out V12’s or D’Addario reserves to 5th and 6th graders for the year. My experience is that this is normal. I don’t see a credibility issue in that. I don’t play orange box #2 Rico’s when I perform on Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, or anywhere else. I didn’t use them in this video either.
@@clarinetninja Sure, man. All good. You seem to expect the discerning viewer to just intuit all that. If you turned on a fancy cooking video and saw a brick of velveeta prominently on display in the kitchen as it started you might feel some cognitive dissonance as well. Just saying.
Thank you for taking us inside your break in process. I’m sure it took a ton of time, and this is very valuable. Thank you!
Thanks for watching! And yes for a week this became a lifestyle choice. Thanks for noticing that:)
Excellent. I will get the two items. "eliminate intuition" from my process. Thank you.
As a completely no good clarinet player, brain damaged after many concussions I can't read music, I still love the sound of this instrument. When I found out about Mr.Ridenours ATG system I freaked out! Instead of one good reed out of a box I could make them all work and last so much longer. Pete Fountain was once asked if he had any advice for young musicians. If I am not mistaken his answer was play the f**king trumpet, I have spent $100,000 on reeds and I only had two that were good. This is really good stuff. Glad to have found your channel.
the really funny part of the Pete Fountain story is that we all (in today's world) think that the reeds back in his day were the "good" ones
I am now using these two items and they are great!!!!! Really happening .The best and I have played for 59 years.
Thank you so much!!!
Incredible! thank you! I am honored that my words and ideas moved you - and thrilled that it worked out :)
Watching again, have the latter demo tools (three of them and a special wedge mini) got a glass panel 17x15 on my desk that was a TV stand base and your instruction is just what I wanted to see. Started out the rerun with the "Wizard" then jumped forward right where I needed to be! Got my reeds, tools and following along testing periodically. More Fun stuff. (re-viewed a couple more of your offerings) Thanks P.S. I think I'll also forgo the rubber bands bit of a drag, wondered about future replacement so ... (your daughter's background noise lends a human aspect to you ...almost : ) (how do I block this guy he wonders)
Nice video! I’m fan of the ATG also. As a doubler, I just can’t devote as much time as this on my clarinet reeds and I gave up on Vandorens. Found D Addario reserve classic I can get up and running more quickly, and occasionally a couple others for immediate use kinds of situations. But the ATG works really well for me to get a reed working.
The ATG is totally amazing right? I like the D’Addario reserve classic too. Balancing the tip is a game changer for me. Thanks for watching!
You're so lucky to have that little voice talking to you, a treasure you'll always ...treasure as have done for 46 years (my own kids) As for financing this tool? I have enough problem getting any reed to sound a note that is in tune. HA got to the appearance of you babe, Sooo touching for me. My son is in Au. with his son and daughter but my daughter is my daily bud on line and right in town with her two daughters and family when she needs me. Interesting the reed tools show that V shape the discussion of reeds have. Granted it's been 67 years since I've played my clarinet so maybe I'll need a little practice before fine tuning my reeds? Still, I'll use a piece of glass and screw around with them aimlessly having lots of sandpaper grades on hand. Thanks for another fun interlude...
That kid knocks me out with every word she says and every expression on her face. Every time I use the ATG (particularly if I am fixing a reed to play on public) I hear the little voice…” daddy can I do that?” It kills me!
Legere European cut, y nunca más arreglo cañas de caña
If reed is too hard, scrape.
If reed is too soft , clip.
Just ordered the ATG using you link. I have been messing up with reed geek. Maybe I will do better with this....the Wizard seems like a good idea but I will save up for it.
Thanks Craig! I am much better with the simplicity of the atg!
Copied from the 'Reed Geek' video.
I discovered a different way to test balance than my friend and former student Tom R does it.
Continuous blowing, rolling side to side from the normal playing position, can discover more about the imbalance than once on each side.
Listen to the color of the sound while rolling. One side may be duller than the other, or both sides may be equally dull.
If both sides sound the same, take the same off each side.
If both dull sides don't sound the same, take a bit more off the duller (up) side until they sound the same.
Then take more until the sound doesn't change.
When there is no dulling or brightening rolling back and forth, the sound will have more 'ring'.
The reed is best when there is no change in the sound color while rolling.
In a pinch when you can't fix the reed, change the reed position by shifting the more dull (up) side toward the center of the mouthpiece.
In order for a reed to play it's best, the flat side must be perfectly flat.
Great video brother thanks but I was wondering if you burnish the back side of the reed? Or for that matter do you do anything to the back of reed?Thanks again!🙏🙏🙏
I wouldn't say that I burnish the back of the reed. Maybe sometimes I do. If it's warped and needs to be flattened out, it's hard to avoid doing that. Lately, I have been using the reedgeek to flatten the backs of the reeds when need be. When I get the backs of my reeds too polished, the water tends to bead up on them and I get noise in my sound because of the water on the reed,. The reeds can play very well when polished on the back (it also stabilizes them a bit).
In any case, my answer is yes or no and sometimes I wish I hadn't and sometimes I think I should do it more....how is that for a terrible answer:)?
Just in case you missed it she’s too precious!😘💕🙏
I rotate 4 reeds at a time, in metal LA VOZ reed guard
Very helpful, thanks! Two questions: 1.) Does the Reed Wizard work on saxophone reeds as well? 2.) I notice your ATG technique for working on the sides is a little different than Tom Ridenour's; if so, why? Thanks again.
I can tell you this....Ben Armato claims the reed wizard is for all reeds including saxophone. I have not done extensive testing to check that out and offer a personal perspective. If my technique is a little different than Tom Ridenour is not on purpose. I have found that the atg works so generally on the reeds that there is a pretty wide margin of error with it. I love that about the atg
So why don’t the reed makers run their reeds through the reed wizard before they put them in the box?
I think that's a great question. If I may, I will re-state it to "why is the quality control so shoddy?"
First of all, I have to acknowledge that reed companies may not agree with the measurements that Ben Armato uses.
Beyond that - even if they do - there are issues of cane stability. It is possible that the reeds are exactly right when leaving the factory and change shape in transit or the first time they hit water or saliva. It could be that the cane is not aged as long as it should be, They may be stored inappropriately at the retailer. I did hear that Vandoren started to individually wrap the reeds in plastic because of how they saw the reed at a couple of the major sellers right above heaters.
Lastly, I also have to acknowledge that I have never made, packaged, transported across the globe, or sold reeds - perhaps there is no avoiding this issue because it is so deeply baked into the process.
Those are my ideas about it....the short answer would be "I dunno" - however, conjecture is a lot more fun:)
Thanks for watching and commenting!
Reed knifes are great but they are expensive and require sharpening.
Single edge razor blades are less expensive, and never need sharpening.
So, what if you over do the ATG and make the tip too soft? You wouldn't trim the tip?
I would now because I found a reed trimmer I believe in. At the time I made this video, my success rate with a reed trimmer was zero percent
@@clarinetninja What trimmer to you like? BTW: Thanks for your work!
@@mddale I learned that Vandoren makes a specific trimmer for each cut of reed they make. I guess it has been out for years, but I just learned of it last December. It has a shaper to match exactly with (for example) a V12. It’s hyper specific and I would have to get another if I switched to another cut, but it worked great if I go to far with the ATG.
@@clarinetninja thanks
If the Reed Wiz is perfect, why would you need to do a reed a second time?
The reed swells up again I guess…that is the only explanation I can come up with
You can deliver Reed in Pakistan please answer me
I am not sure what you mean. This is a video about how to work on reeds. I don’t sell reeds. There are Amazon links in the description, but any transaction is between you and Amazon
What are this Price
@@MuhammadKamran-ox8ys I am not sure what the price would be for delivery to Pakistan
You can learn me some exercises in clarinet
OMG😍,Awww💞 I love this. Don't miss out - Promo'SM!
I dunno man. It looks like you've got a case of orange box Rico reeds on the shelf. You can't good reeds from bad cane. Seems the credibility is pretty strained from the get go. Giving you the benefit of the doubt though....
Ok, not bad. You might want to check out Tom's video from last few years on French Embouchure where he deals with some of the finer points like balancing the reed front to back. It helped me take my game up another level with the ATG and other tools.
@@whoitisnot interesting perspective. I am not sure what type of reed you are used to schools giving to band students for free.
While the school I teach at is wonderful, there is not the budget to hand out V12’s or D’Addario reserves to 5th and 6th graders for the year. My experience is that this is normal. I don’t see a credibility issue in that.
I don’t play orange box #2 Rico’s when I perform on Broadway, Radio City Music Hall, or anywhere else. I didn’t use them in this video either.
@@clarinetninja Sure, man. All good. You seem to expect the discerning viewer to just intuit all that. If you turned on a fancy cooking video and saw a brick of velveeta prominently on display in the kitchen as it started you might feel some cognitive dissonance as well. Just saying.