Introduction
The first time I picked up a clarinet was when I joined the brass band in junior high. Half a century has passed since then and my relationship with the clarinet is in fact much longer than the time spent with my lovely wife. During this time, I have always had trouble finding good reeds.
We all know that when it comes to reeds, it is rather difficult to tell a good reed from a bad one. Instruction books specify to pick the ones with smoothed down fiber, leveled thickness or in symmetrical shape. But the truth is that you simply have to try out to find a suitable piece for you.
What is the obvious factor making the difference between good reeds and bad reeds? Over the course of time, this question has indeed intrigued and remained a mystery to many single reed instrument players. Whilst I was working in a field of measuring equipment in the past, it kept me thinking that there must be a way to specifically analyze reeds. And the idea was wedged in my mind to someday make it a research subject and find the answer.
After terminated my salaried-worker life, I started to try many experiment, there was a new discovery. I found a new method of adjustment of the reed. As a result of my research, the inspection equipment was patented as a single reed inspection. I thought this patented process would bring much benefit to musicians to get to know new facts and new adjustment method widely.
Upon retirement from my previous career, I conducted various experiments and discovered a new way to make specific adjustments to single reeds. The result of my research was patented as a Single Reed Tester. I thought that in getting this patent would help in spreading this new method to as many reed instrument players as possible.
The Japan Institute of Invention and Innovation, who has assisted me with obtaining the patent, suggested that I participate in an innovation exhibition and there I was fortunate to receive the Governor of Tokyo Award for the development of the Single Reed Tester.
TThe award was a great encouragement for me to get my invention shared amongst fellow musicians. I started development for the "Reed Meister", a reed analyzing and adjusting device that can be used without blowing on a piece to check itfs performance.
During the course of development, the instructors at the Kochi Clarinet Association made inquiries, exchanged information and provided valuable advice that helped to complete the device. One may truly sense the difference Reed Meister makes when seeing it in operation. We have received numerous feedback from users saying that the more the device is used the value of it increases.
With Reed Meister, it makes tweaking the reed to suit your taste a simple task. My wish is for many single reed instrument players to be able to enjoy fine-tuning their reeds on their own, just like double reed instrument players have been doing.
I sincerely hope that Reed Meister will help extend the horizon of single reed instruments and will be able to help promote the further growth of reed instrument players.
Khoi Hanai
Single Reed Laboratory
2-30-2 Nagasaki, Toshima-ku, Tokyo 171-0051 JAPAN
Email : hanai@reedmeister.jp
