Klarinet Archive - Posting 000326.txt from 1995/12

From: Neil Leupold <nleupold@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: bleach/reeds
Date: Wed, 13 Dec 1995 01:25:00 -0500

Hmm, that's interesting. Just based on common sense, I would think that
the reed would be an ideal environment for carrying bacteria. It's organic,
biodegradable material - and is a "warm/moist zone" after being used,
which bacteria just love. I've seen too many students' reeds caked with
white bacterial gunk (after failing to remove it from the mouthpiece for a
few weeks) to believe that a reed does not potentially carry disease.

Neil.

On Tue, 12 Dec 1995, Michael D Moors - Alpena wrote:

> Scott,
>
> I remember being told several years ago that reeds don't carry disease.
> It is the mouthpiece that needs to be disinfected. Does anyone know if
> this is fact or fiction? It was a pretty well known professional player
> (whose name I shouldn't mention) that told me this.
>
> Mike
>
> On Tue, 12 Dec 1995, Scott D. Morrow wrote:
>
> > >From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
> > >
> > > I'd never thought of bleaching reeds - I've always just boiled
> > >questionable reeds in a pot of water. I dont see a problem, though, as
> > >long as you make sure you get rid of the bleach afterwards!
> > > (P.S. Hydrogen peroxide decomposes into oxygen and water, for those
> > >of you who were wondering. The bubbling is actually due to an enzyme
> > >called peroxidase, which breaks down peroxides.)
> > >
> > >Question: why bleach/boil/peroxide? Are you talking about removing saliva
> > >deposits, or
> > > "decontaminating" a [contaminated?] reed? Sorry to be this clueless. I am
> > >curious because
> > >I am alternately a soaker/non-soaker.
> >
> > I've only done it for disinfection purposes (i.e., using someone
> > else's reed, or one of my own after I've been sick, etc.). I believe some
> > others on the list have mentioned peroxide as a way of rejuvenating reeds
> > (which I've never tried!). I was mostly just trying to close up the
> > chemical loose ends!
> >
> > -Scott
> >
> >
> >
> > Scott D. Morrow
> > (410)-955-3631
> >
> > SDM@-----.edu
> >
>