The Thrill of a New Reed

February 22, 2008 at 4:26 AM

The "Thrill of a New Reed" was something that I said to my music friend Mike K. when I was trying to "teach" him how to play the clarinet in Junior High. It would always make us both laugh! We were great pals and for us--that new reed was very costly, very special, taste great and of course we could both play 100 times better! (Mike was a child prodigy on any instrument especially piano)
I am using a very different bow that was loaned to me and I don't know if I am playing better because I have a better bow or if I am playing more carefully because I am using a bow more expensive than the pile of bows I have. (Did you read my previous blog where I was ready to start a fire with the lot of them?)
I think that it is a little of both!
Half the fun of the violin is it's mystique, it's artistry and it's romance. Picking up the old plastic electric violin is not much fun. It is easier to play because it takes away all the nuances--and you can just practice fingering. When I switch back to the real violin I am again faced with all those special little things I have to do to craft and color a good sound.
This Thrill of a New Reed feeling is still rolling around in my brain. Mike K. If you are out there and I know that you have added violin to your long list of instruments by now--I want you to know that this new bow is doing it for me today. I am enjoying my practice time more than ever.

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