Klarinet Archive - Posting 000644.txt from 1996/05

From: "Scott D. Morrow" <SDM@-----.EDU>
Subj: Re: REED FIXING WITH VODKA (fwd)
Date: Wed, 29 May 1996 12:32:15 -0400

>Any suggestions for those of us who do not like or cannot use alcohol? It
>can be a problem for some and a great allergy producer for others and bleach
>is definitely out. Good hints on shaping and reworking, though. Thanks!
>
>Joie

If the only reason the alcohol is used is to eliminate bacterial
growth, you don't need that much! You could probably cut it to about 5 -
10% with water and get the same effect! Although you discount bleach, I
recal seeing an "public service"-type ad for Clorox(TM) bleach, where they
informed us that, in case of floods and contaminated water supply, you
could add a couple of drops of bleach to water to make it potable. I would
assume that a drop of bleach added to the "reed water" would not poison
anyone, and still do the job!

As for the method itself, it would seem to me that after playing
the fourth or fifth vodka-soaked reed, ALL the reeds would start to sound
pretty good!

-Scott

Scott D. Morrow
Department of Biochemistry
School of Hygiene and Public Health
Johns Hopkins University
(410)-955-3631

SDM@-----.edu