Playing Think my tutor was drunk last night....

FastFred

Member
73
Had a lesson last night, generally have one about every 3 weeks. I started with the Maiden Voyage Aebersold book about 6 weeks ago and am making good progress improvising. I recently bought a Link7*STM and have found it produces a much smoother sound than my 7* Ebonite and is less stuffy at the top end.
Last night we were playing an easy Gblues number. I play tenor (YTS62), the tutor plays Soprano and we alternate then play together. Anyway my tutor reckons that I am playing Coltrane 'angular' style with a Stan Getz West Coast sound and that the two don't normally go together. It went completely over my head for sure. He said it wasn't a negative just that perhaps I should try some different reeds. I am currently on Vandoren Jazz 3's.
He didn't seem drunk at the time (!) and as flattered as I am being compared to these two guys what reeds should I try? I actually like the smooth sound I have developed. Should I listen to some Getz instead and learn some of his licks?
 
As the newt....

My old clarinet teacher actually was drunk most of the time. In a half hour lesson he'd get through a tumbler full - and I mean full - of whisky and about five fags. All the while his saintly looking elderly wife shooting at cats in the back garden.:shocked:
 
My old clarinet teacher actually was drunk most of the time. In a half hour lesson he'd get through a tumbler full - and I mean full - of whisky and about five fags. All the while his saintly looking elderly wife shooting at cats in the back garden.:shocked:

Hi
This one is fantastic🙂))...you should pass it on to the Fast Show.

Thank you.
 
To be honest I not sure if 'tutor' is the right description 'cos he generally doesn't teach me anything. I have got to that stage where I kind of go back 'cos I like him and he is a hell of a player and it is good to play/improvise with him. I have worked out for myself what I need to do over the next year, scales, chords, listening, improvising and ear training. I could probably find better things to do with £25 an hour

Anyway to get back to the thread... Do seasoned/very good players tend to stick with one reed or use more to get different sounds?
 
I'd say (imho) that the sound stays reasonably constant (give or take a bit of woodiness 🙂) - but that it's the responsiveness that allows you to 'work' a reed to best effect.

Once you find a reed which responds well to your style of playing, then you'll be able to stretch the sound boundaries. A poorly responding reed will sap the creativity.

I'm certainly "seasoned" (don't know about "very good" 🙁 ) but I found Rico Royals decades ago, and, apart from occasional excursions with LaVoz for a slightly less edgier / more woody sound, the response is what does it for me...
 
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