Trevor’s Tips

One of the many valuable things we can all appreciate as NNVB members is the expert knowledge available from our conductors. The items following are some useful tips provided by Trevor Gillman.

Tips for Reed Players:
 
To answer several questions, I am attaching a few internet sites to review. There is a great site called Sax on the Web (SOTW) that covers questions, opinions, and suggestions for all woodwind players which I suggest you Google.
 
Reeds
Since none of us have the same shaped mouths, our embouchures differ. Strength of reeds are not one size fits all and requirements vary also, according to experience levels and the type of music played (classical/pop/jazz). I will list the reeds I have used over the years and my opinions.
 
Cane Reeds
  • A good cane reed produces the purest clarinet and sax tones
  • I do not recommend the orange Rico reeds as they tend to be lifeless. My go-to for cane reeds is the Rico Royal or La Voz
  • Recommended strengths – for beginners – a 2 to 2.5. Although many reed players play higher strength reeds, personally, I never go beyond a 3. I use open-faced mouthpieces. For those with a small gap between the reed and mouthpieces, going to a 3 may work. Again, our embouchure shapes all differ, so be careful of advice you receive from others or read about.
  • CONS – inconsistency and cost. Out of a box of 10, if you get 3 or 4 really good ones that don’t need filing or doctoring in some fashion, you are fortunate. I like the Rico Royals, because of the sound and likelihood of getting more reeds in a box that work for me.
BIG TIP – cane reeds will not curl if placed in a solution of 30% clear listerine & water of 20% vodka and water. They last much longer with this tip.
 
Ones that don’t work for me – Vandoren, especially on clarinet. They squeak for me, yet many love them. I live La Voz also.
 
Synthetic Reeds
 
Legere – manufactured in Barrie, I have paid less for them when in the US – go figure. They come in varying types and the rule of thumb is that if you play a 2 strength, order a 1/4 strength lower. These are expensive and although they don’t produce the true tonality of cane reeds, they last for a long time. I still have a few that I have used for a couple of years. If you order one and don’t like it, there is a 30-day return policy.
 
D’Addario Plasticover – I love these, as they sound more like a cane reed than the Legere. A box of 5 is near the same price as one Legere and most in a box work well.
 
Advantages of Synthetics – These do not have to be wet to play and last longer. If you are a doubler (have to switch between say, clarinet to sax or alto to tenor etc., these are great.
 
Mouthpieces
Again, these vary greatly. I never recommend going out and trying a new one if you have the chance to find a used one to try out. I have many contacts and have helped NNVB reed players find them.
 
For our purposes, I recommend only hard rubber mouthpieces. I only use metal one on my tenor and I have been lucky to find the perfect one for me.
 
The stock mouthpieces you can rely on are Vandoren & Selmer for clarinet; Saxes – Rico Rubber (great value), Meyer and Otto Link. For beginners to intermediate, a sizing of 4, 5, or 5* are safe bets.
 
 
 
 
In addition…
For those who have asked me about where to get instruments repaired, here is the link to my Number One choice. Dominique is the only person I use because, in addition to being a superb repairman, he is a superb multi-reed musician.
 
He will tell you what is required and if you feel the estimate is not within your budget, ask him what he can do to make it work for a lesser price. I have, at times, delayed getting additional stuff done that isn’t a must-do at the time.
 
I asked how his workload was and he told me he could fit smaller repairs in between the big overhauls he does. He may have a loaner that you can ask him about if the turnaround time is longer than expected.
 
I can also recommend another tech in Frankford and one in Pickering, however, in my opinion, and many others, Dominique is the one you want. I won’t go anywhere else and I am very fussy. If you have rented an instrument, you should go back to the music store as they should handle this for you.
 
https://moriercraftwoodwinds.com/menu/
 
 
Shawn Hills

Meet Shawn Hills – Music Director

Shawn received her Honours Bachelor of Music and her Bachelor of Education from Western University in London. She studied clarinet under Jerome Summers and Avrahm Galper and conducting under Don McKellar, Jerome Summers, and Deral Johnson.
Shawn is a retired music educator who thrived and grew as a teacher conductor for 30 years with the Kawartha Pine Ridge Board of Education. She considers herself extremely fortunate to have had the opportunity to share music with so many students over the years. Her focus in the classroom as well as her private studio has always been to find ways to help students bring their music to life. Student understanding and satisfaction with the music has always been paramount.

Shawn has performed with and conducted the Clarington Concert Band, and the New Horizons Band in Bowmanville, and was a guest conductor for the Laurier University Wind Ensemble. She continues to work as a clinician and adjudicator  She is looking forward to this next musical journey with the Avanti Concert Band.

 

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