Klarinet Archive - Posting 000443.txt from 1995/02

From: Timothy Tikker <tjt@-----.ORG>
Subj: on reed care
Date: Tue, 28 Feb 1995 13:02:44 -0500

I thought this was interesting, so am passing it along

- Tim Tikker
---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 23 FEB 1995 11:24:18 -0400
From: /B{> <n2la@-----.ca>
Newgroups: alt.music.makers.woodwind
Subject: Re: Fibracell?

[stuff deleted... then:]

Also, if you want to lengthen the life of your Royals, try this:
when you first get the reed, soak it until the tip no longer warps
(though not until waterlogged), or carefully smooth the tip in a reed case
(eg. LaVoz reedguard, Vandoren case) or flat on a piece of glass, like a
mirror. Now, blow through the back end of the reed. See those air bubbles?
You want the reed to be sealed, ie no air passing through it. Using the
natural oil of your skin, run your thumb along the back of the reed (on the
section where the bark is cut away, right out to the tip). By working the oil
of your skin into the reed, you seal the reed. You should be able to blow
into the back end of the reed without any air bubbles coming out of the
section you've sealed. Believe it or not, this lengthens reed life by
preventing a lot of the warping that can occur as the reed gets wetter during
a gig, and can prevent the reed form getting over-soaked or waterlogged, as
you will note that once this happens, the reed never plays the same again.
Good luck in your quest for a better reed,

Greg Marks
/B{>